Aalst is a small city in the Belgian province of East Flanders. It’s known for its annual carnival, the biggest in the country, and for its lace industry. The Gothic-style Aalst Cathedral, with its 112-meter spire, is the city’s most prominent landmark. The city’s old center is home to a mix of buildings from different periods, including a 15th-century town hall and a 17th-century guildhall. The Museum of Fine Arts has works by Flemish painters including Rubens and Bruegel. The city is also home to the Aalst Chocolate Factory, which produces a wide range of chocolates.