Belgium. Liege: sights of one of the oldest cities in Europe

Liege- a city in eastern Belgium, almost on the border with Germany and not far from the border with the Netherlands. The population is about 200 thousand inhabitants.
Like most Western European cities, at first it was the camp of the Romans (Leodius). In the Middle Ages, the city became the residence of very influential prince-archbishops.

Monument to King Albert I

Bridge Fragni (Bridge of Angels)

Kindergarten with rabbits

The first thing that draws attention, arriving by railway traveler is Liege railway station- a building of very unusual architecture. Inside, everything is much more prosaic, moreover, the building itself is small, and this impressive roof covers the paths that are raised above the ground.

Train Station

The next thing that caught my eye was huge size dome on the mountain on the other side of the railroad tracks. So I checked into a hotel and climbed this very mountain. On the way, passing along the street adjacent to the railway, I noticed a mannequin sitting in a window in strange clothes - leather underwear and high boots. I got to the next house, and there in the window there was another mannequin in the same form, and in the next house too ... And then I look, one of the mannequins got up and went somewhere. :) It turned out that this is a local red-light district. Everything is business-like, no tourists, as in Amsterdam, and in general there is only a small group of young people on the whole street, no one else.

People also live on the mountain and, judging by the age of the local church, they have been living for a long time. Chapel of St. Mora (or Mavra) was built in 1673 instead of the old one dating from the 15th century. This area is called Coint.

Union Memorial

Union Memorial Tower

There is no compact old town in Liege, sights are scattered throughout the territory. This, by the way, suggests that already in the Middle Ages, the city occupied an area almost comparable to the current one, i.e. was very large in those days. There is also a well-preserved part of the old city, around the episcopal palace, but basically, the old churches are located between modern buildings.

Cathedral of St. Paul became a cathedral after the destruction of the Cathedral of St. Lambert. The prominent yellow part of the tower with bells and a spire was built exactly from the material of the towers of the church of St. Lambert.

Cathedral St. Paul (X-XV centuries)

Church of St. Jacob (Saint-Jacques) was part of the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Jacques-les-Miner founded in 1050. The construction of the current Gothic church was completed in 1538. The front part of the building with one of the three towers has been preserved from the previous Romanesque church.
After the secularization of the abbey, the church became a parish church, and the buildings of the monastery were sold.

Church of Saint-Jacques (XI-XVI centuries)

Church of Saint-Jacques (XI-XVI centuries)

The Church of St. Anne belonged to the Augustinian monastery. It was consecrated in 1527. In the second half of the eighteenth century, it was decided to rebuild the building in the then fashionable classicism style. Literally a few years after the completion of construction, the Great French Revolution took place, the Augustinian Order was practically destroyed and the monastery buildings were sold. In 1859, the church was going to be destroyed, but a certain widow bought the building. By 1866, the church was restored and re-consecrated, already in honor of Holy Communion.

Abbey of the Peace of Our Lady of Liege (XVII century)

Church of St. Bartholomew (XI-XIX c.)

No less colorful is the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady (Notre-Dame-de-Immacule), located nearby. It is clear from the style that she is much younger than St. Barthélemy. It was the church of the Discalced Carmelite Monastery, dedicated to St. Teresa and St. Joseph. During the Revolution, it was sold at auction, after the Revolution it was redeemed again by the Carmelites and dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Church of the Conception of Notre-Dame-de-Immacule (XVII century)

The Church of St. Antoine, built in 1244, was part of the convent of the Cordeliers. Its facade, of course, appeared much later.

Church of St. Antoine (XII-XVIII centuries)

The Church of St. Servatius is one of the oldest in Liege, the first mention dates back to 1189.

Church of St. John (XVII century)

The Basilica of St. Martin, in its current Gothic form, replaced the old Romanesque church, which was founded in 962, after, according to legend, the then Bishop of Liege was healed at the tomb of St. Martin. Martin of Tours.

Basilica of St. Martin (XVI century)

Basilica of St. Martin (XVI century)

The main museum attraction of Liege - Curtius Museum, named after the owner of the mansion where it is now located. The exposition is large and interesting, covering the period from ancient egypt to Louis XIV.

Curtius Museum. Egyptian sarcophagus

stairs uphill

And, of course, the archbishop lived in the center of the city. The current palace was built in the sixteenth century on the site of an old building destroyed by Charles the Bold.

Archbishop's Palace (XVI century)

Founded by the Romans, Liège was originally called Leodie and was the northern outpost of the Roman Empire. The city gradually became the center of Christianity, in the VIII century it formed the center of the diocese.

In the Middle Ages, Liege suffered from the confrontation between the nobility, clergy and artisans united in workshops. It was not without a manifestation of extreme cruelty: the townspeople burned the nobles in the church of St. Martin. The city fought a lot trying to resist incorporation into the Burgundian Netherlands. It was twice ravaged by the troops of Charles the Bold, but Liege still survived.

The heyday of the city

Liège began to flourish only in the 16th century under Bishop Erard Lamarck. The city becomes the center of weapon craftsmanship, where the best representatives of this profession come together. But his quiet life was interrupted by the war for the Spanish and English succession, and the locals suffered from the actions of both sides.

But, in spite of everything, by the beginning of the 19th century, Liege was turning into one of the first industrial centers in Europe. It has a developed steel and coal mining industry and, of course, the production of weapons. At that time, Belgian weapons steel and weapons made from it were considered among the best in the world. Even such famous people as the famous gunsmith John Browning came to Liège to learn the secrets of craftsmanship.

Today, the city continues to develop, being an important hub for water and road transport, as well as a tourist and educational center. The city is home to the University of Liege and the Higher School of the Province of Liege.

Attractions

Of course, the attraction for tourists is the old part of the city. Here, such rare sights as the street, which looks like a staircase consisting of 400 steps, have been preserved.

But this is not all that Liege has to offer its guests. Its architectural monuments are for the most part an amazing mixture of different styles. This is due to the fact that city buildings were repeatedly rebuilt due to destruction and simply under the influence of the trends of the times. As a result, the descendants were left with unusual and very spectacular buildings, starting from the Palace of the Bishop Princes and ending with a memorial fountain in the form of four lions.

There are many museums in Liege where there is something to see. Here you can see not only masterpieces of weapon craftsmanship, but also numerous ancient objects that send us back to the early centuries of the existence of a Roman settlement.

In addition to spiritual food, this city can offer many material joys. To visit here and not try the luxurious Liege waffles is a real culinary “crime”.

Liege (Belgium) - the most detailed information about the city with a photo. The main attractions of Liege with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Liege (Belgium)

Attractions

The Palace of the Prince-Bishops is a historic building that now houses the court and seat of the government of Wallonia. The palace dates from the 15th century. It replaced an older medieval building that had been demolished. The building is interesting because it marks the transition from the Gothic to the Renaissance style. Notable features of the palace are two picturesque courtyards with arched passages and columns. The interior is not accessible to visitors.

The best place to walk around Liege is the embankment of the Meuse River. There are also several interesting objects here: the Pont des Arches, built between 1858 and 1862 to replace the old bridge of the 11th century, the meat hall, built in 1546, the historic hotel of the 16th century. A market is held on La Batte Quay in the morning.

Saint-Barthélemy Church is one of the main sacral monuments of Liege. This beautiful church was built in the 11th - 12th centuries. In the 18th century, this religious building was significantly expanded, receiving two towers in the style of the Romanesque architecture of the Rhine Valley. The most valuable treasure of the church is a bronze font cast between 1107 and 1118. Also of interest are the medieval choir and paintings by local artists.

One of the most beautiful streets in Liege is the Féronstrée, which starts at the eastern end of the market square and runs through the heart of the old town to the Saint-Barthélemy church. Most of the buildings that have escaped demolition date back to the 18th century. Here is the Museum of Walloon Art (Musée de l "Art Wallon), which presents paintings, sculptures and drawings by famous Walloon artists

Basilica Saint-Martin is a late Gothic stone church. This religious building was founded in the 10th century and destroyed by fire in 1312 during disputes between the guilds and the nobility. The church was restored in the 16th century and has beautiful stained glass windows dating from 1526-1536.

The Quai de Maestricht is home to many interesting museums. The Museum of Weapons (Musée d "Armes) keeps a magnificent collection of small arms, reflecting the tradition of weapons production in Liege, dating back to the 14th century. The Curtius Museum (Musée Curtius) includes exhibits from the prehistoric, Roman and Franco-Medieval periods, as well as collections of furniture and decorative arts from the Middle Ages to the French Revolution.This museum is housed in a magnificent red-brick building built in the Renaissance style between 1600 and 1610.

Church of St. Paul - Cathedral of Liege. This is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture, founded in the 10th century. In the structure of the cathedral stand out beautiful tower, as well as the pulpit, vaults and ceiling. The church has a beautiful interior, decorated between the 16th and 19th centuries. Several religious treasures were brought here from the ancient Cathedral of St. Lambert, which was destroyed.

The Museum of Walloon Life is one of the most interesting museums in Liege. It is located in a former Minorite monastery. Its exhibitions include 350,000 exhibits and documents illustrating life and culture in the Walloon region.

The church of St. James was founded in the 11th century and transformed into a magnificent example of late Gothic architecture from 1513 to 1538. The 12th century Romanesque portico on the west side has been preserved, while the magnificent north portal was reconstructed in the Renaissance style in the 16th century.

Montaigne de Buren is a hilltop with a stunning panorama of Liège, which can be reached by a winding staircase.

The Archeoforum is an archeological site of almost 4,000 square meters located in Saint Lambert's Square. Includes the ruins of the medieval cathedral of the same name, destroyed at the end of the 18th century, and an ancient Roman villa.

The railway station is an important transport hub and a great example of modern architecture.

Many people know about the cozy and clean Belgium, which is one of the three Benelux, as a producer of unsurpassed chocolate and good beer. However, curious tourists are attracted to the country by something else. They dream to see ancient cities, such as Liege, the sights of which cannot be bypassed even in a week. But if you are short on time, visit the historic center. Its stone-paved streets keep the spirit of antiquity. Let's talk about the most interesting tourist sites of the city.

St Paul's Cathedral

Saint-Paul is located in the residence of the Bishop of Liege. The cathedral, the construction of which lasted from the 10th to the 15th centuries, is interesting for its bizarre combination of baroque, gothic and classicism. It is crowned with a spire, made by order of Napoleon. Connoisseurs of sculpture will be delighted by the marble statue of Christ by Delcour. The treasury of the main shrine of the bishopric is full of ancient relics.

Church of St. Bartholomew

Saint Barthélemy is famous for one of the main attractions of the country - the 12th century baptismal font. A fine example of Liège artistic casting is decorated with relief scenes of the baptismal ceremony. He rests on bulls, symbolizing the apostles. In the sandstone temple with two elegant towers, ancient sculptures and paintings of religious themes are perfectly preserved.

Church of St. James

Connoisseurs consider Saint-Jacques one of the most beautiful churches in Liege. The Benedictine monastery was founded in the 11th century by Bishop Balderic II. The soaring Gothic building is decorated with exquisite stone decoration, stained-glass windows of the 16th century, and painting of the internal vaults. The sculptures of the Mother of God and the sleeping Jacob are striking in their expressiveness.

The main square of Liege is the heart of the city, here its history began. Here Bishop Lambert, canonized by the Catholic Church, was martyred. A temple was erected in his honor, today special columns remind of him. There are many interesting sights around, you can see them in one day.

Palace of the Prince-Bishops

Noteworthy is the former residence of the heads of the clergy. The palace is on the tentative list world heritage UNESCO. Now here is the Palace of Justice. The building, built in the 10th century for Bishop Notger, suffered from fires and destruction more than once. Its appearance is notable for its galleries of 60 columns with luxurious capitals and the Gothic style of the central facade. The interiors are decorated in the spirit of the Renaissance.

Montaigne du Buren is named after a brave nobleman who rebelled against the capture of Liège by the Burgundians. It leads to the hill where the Citadel Park is located. It has 374 steps, so benches are installed for tourists to rest. From the top platform you can see the city and its surroundings at a glance. In summer, the stairs are decorated with flower arrangements, and in October, the Night Hills festival is held here.

- one of the European countries of the provincial format, which annually attracts more and more attention of tourists. It would seem that a small country, but so interesting and rich in history, carefully preserved many monuments, ancient buildings and religious buildings. There is beautiful parks and world famous museums. One of the diverse places where travelers seek in the first place is the city of Liege. Let's talk about it in more detail.

Introduction to the city of Liege in Belgium

Let's start with the fact that Liege (Liege) - The largest city Wallonia (region in), whose history dates back to the time of the Great Roman Empire from the settlement of Leodicus. An eventful history has led to the fact that today it is very modern city with a well-developed industry, as well as the third largest municipality in Belgium. The image of the old city does not prevent him from keeping up with the times. The production of crystal and weapons, coal mining and metallurgy are well developed here, and in the last 10 years tourism has been given special importance.

The administrative center of the eponymous province of Liege in Belgium is located at the confluence of two rivers: Meuse and Urth, about a hundred kilometers from. According to the census in 2006, 194 thousand people lived in the city, today this figure has long exceeded 200 thousand citizens. The inhabitants of the city are well educated and fluent in German, Dutch and French.

Climate and weather in Liege

The geographical location of the country is such that comfortable and pleasant weather lasts here all year round. Winter in Liege is never cold and frosty, and summer is sultry and hot. It is noted that the average daily winter temperatures are kept around the mark of -2 degrees, and in summer about +15. The peak of the tourist season in the city of Liege falls on the spring-summer.

Attractions and entertainment in Liege

The city still has some of ancient houses red brick and blue stone. But if you wanted, in addition to walking along historical center to visit some of the interesting objects, we suggest paying attention to the following:

• Palace of the Prince-Bishops on St. Lambert's Square;
• the Gothic church of St. Martin;
• weapons museum;
• Ansembourg Museum;
• City Hall;
• fountain Perron, etc.

In small European cities, the hectic life is usually concentrated in one place for general convenience and order, and the city of Liège is no exception. Brand clothing stores, most cinemas, restaurants and cafes are located in the so-called "Le Carre" square. It is located between Pont d "Avroy, Vinave d" Ile and de la Casquette streets and boulevard de la Sauveniere. There are always a lot of people here, noisy and festive, because actions, contests are held periodically, or theatrical actors amuse the residents.

Historically, the gastronomic preferences of the inhabitants of Liege are an interesting mixture of cuisines of all neighbors, but, of course, the French left a special mark. Among all the variety, it is worth noting L "Héliport, Michel Germeau, Il Etait Une Fois, but you can easily find restaurants of Italian, Chinese, Japanese cuisine and some others.

In most local pubs, when ordering a large glass of beer, they will bring you a Liege salad or sandwiches as a free treat, the thing is that the foamy drink is highly valued here, and tourists use this to try to save on food.

As for accommodation, then, as in everything else, in Liege you will find excellent quality from prestigious to modest and cozy. We recommend the four-star hotels Ramada Plaza Liege City and Alliance Liege, as well as the three-star hotels Husa De La Couronne Liege and Best Western Univers. Tipping is always welcome and is considered a sign of good breeding.

Like many European cities, Liege is considered a safe city, the crime rate here is extremely low. But no one excludes the possibility of pickpocketing, so be vigilant and do not carry large amounts of cash and valuables with you, use safes in hotels.

As for possible conflicts with local residents or law enforcement agencies, it is recommended to keep the streets clean and use trash cans. For this minor offense for many travelers, a decent fine is due. It is also not recommended to enter into disputes about politics, criticize the royal family and try to compare Belgium with France.

Transport in Liege

It is worth noting that urban transport in Liege is developed just fine, the routes correspond to the schedule and have a decent level of comfort and technical condition. You can also use the almost flawless taxi service at any time of the day and even rent a bicycle.

How to get to the city of Liege?

A serious industrial city cannot do without a well-developed transport system: four major highways E25, E40, E42, E313 pass through the city. From neighboring regions, you can get to the city not only by car or bus, but also in the form of an excursion on a river boat.

If you want to start your visit from Liege, then do not forget about the local one. This direction is very popular with charter companies, incl. from Russia and some CIS countries. By train to Liege, you can easily reach from Paris, Aachen and Maastricht.