Liege Belgium. Liege, Belgium: attractions, history. Liege entertainment and attractions

Belgium cities -
Liège

Liege is the third largest city in Belgium and the administrative center of the province of the same name with a population of about 200 thousand inhabitants, located on the banks of the Meuse River. Liege is, first of all, a city of gunsmiths, crystal-makers, and one of the oldest cities in Wallonia, as well as a major transport hub and the third largest river port in Europe in terms of cargo turnover. The city is connected with Antwerp through the Albert Canal.

During the Roman Empire, the city was called Leodius. In 705, the Maastricht bishop Lambert was martyred there, and later was canonized. In 721, the Bishop of Maastricht Hubert moved the center of the diocese to Liege, thus becoming the first bishop of Liege. Since the 10th century, Liege has been part of the Holy Roman Empire and the city has been ruled by princes-bishops. Under the first prince-bishop of Notger (972-1007), a cathedral and a palace of princes-bishops were erected, and crafts began to flourish.

In the Middle Ages, there was a struggle between guild craftsmen, the nobility and the clergy for supremacy in Liege. In 1312, supporters of the nobility were burned by the townspeople in the church of St. Martin. In the fifteenth century, Liege successfully resisted attempts to incorporate it into the Burgundian Netherlands. Twice (in 1467 and 1468) it was ruined by Charles the Bold. The constant struggle against both the invaders and the ruling clergy for their rights brought Liege the glory of a freedom-loving city. Liege was even called the Cite ardente - the furious city.

Liege's golden age came at the beginning of the 16th century, when Erar of the Lamarck family held the episcopal see. Subsequently, the contradictions between the bishops and townspeople intensified. The democratic principles of city management were finally abolished in 1681. During the Wars of English and Spanish Succession at the turn of the 18th century, Liège suffered from both the British and the French.

The Liege Revolution (1789) put an end to the political rule of the episcopate, which lasted almost 800 years. In 1795-1815. Liege was the administrative center of the French department of Urtes. Liège became one of the main forces of the Belgian independence movement (1830). After industrialization, the city was diligently fortified in case of an attack by the Germans (1891), but during both world wars it was located under German occupation.

Liege became a center for arms production in the sixteenth century under the Prince-Bishop Everard de la Marche, and grew into one of the first modern coal and steel centers in the nineteenth century. The Belgian Coal Federation began accepting Italian workers in 1922, and after World War II tens of thousands of immigrants from southern Italy came to work in Belgian mines, mainly in Liège and Charleroi. Today in Belgium there are about three hundred thousand inhabitants of Italian origin, which makes them the largest foreign community in the country (22%). Pizzerias and trattorias are everywhere in Liege.

After a decline in the steel and coal industry in the 1970s, Liège retained its importance as a major river port and tourist destination. At the present time, it is a large industrial center, where a large number of enterprises of various industries are located, major exhibitions and fairs are held. In addition to its economic status, Liege is a very large tourist destination in Belgium. After all, there are a large number of monuments, old houses, museums, and everything is imbued with the spirit of centuries-old history. Cozy cafes and restaurants, beautiful hotels and a large number of shopping centers make your stay in Liege quite comfortable.

Attractions Liege

The historic center of Liege is almost the largest pedestrian zone in Europe, with a diameter of almost three kilometers, where it is quite interesting to walk, getting to know the city. The Town Hall is one of the iconic landmarks of Liege. Built at the beginning of the 18th century, it was the place where the fate of the city was decided. Its afronton is adorned with the coat of arms of Liege, and numerous guests of the city are also attracted by a memorial plaque made of bronze, testifying that Liege is the birthplace of the legendary Commissar Maigret, familiar to all of us from the exciting detective stories of J. Simenon.

It was erected in the eleventh century, and in 1526 rebuilt for the prince Everard der Mark. The Palace of Princes-Bishops is not empty even today - it now houses the Palace of Justice.

The Perron Colonnade is one of the favorite tourist attractions in Liege. In the Middle Ages, an impressive column towered here, which in 1697 was turned by the architect J. Delcourt into a stunningly remarkable fountain. Located not far from the City Hall, it symbolizes the ebullient energy and love of freedom of the citizens of Liege.

There are many interesting temples in Liege. Fortunately, a lot of them have been tuned for more than 1000 years of history. The most famous church in Liege is Romanesque, which was founded at the beginning of the 11th century at the behest of Bishop Notger. it differs from the others by its western facade and two towers typical of European temples in the area between the rivers Meuse and Rhine. But the "pearl", a real miracle of Belgium, is rightfully considered the baptistery kept here, made by a goldsmith from Yui Rainier at the beginning of the 12th century. The master painted pictures of the Baptism of the Lord on the font. The baptistery entered the church of Saint Barthélemy in 1804, after being saved from the destroyed church of Our Lady.

The 15th century Basilica of Saint Martin is interesting because it is an example of a rare Mass Gothic style. The Church of St. Jacob (XI century) is the most graceful in Liege, it is here that you can look at the splendor of "stone lace".

The Church of Saint-Jean, built in the eleventh century, is considered the most beautiful in Liege. It was originally planned as a staging post for pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostella. Attracts the attention of tourists and (Cathedral of St. Pvla).

In addition, having arrived in Liege, you should definitely visit at least a couple of interesting museums.

The Maasland Museum of Archeology and Art is housed in a patrician house (house of Curtius) from the early 17th century. The attention of tourists is attracted by this building itself, made in the spirit of the Maas Renaissance, not to mention the exhibits presented here. Among them is the gospel adorned with precious stones, which belonged to the famous bishop of Notger, on whose orders the most striking architectural monuments were erected in Liege.

The building of the former Prefecture housed a weapons museum. There are two impressive cannons at the entrance to the museum. For visitors interested in the artistic or technical aspects of a wide variety of weapons, there are more than 12,500 exhibits. Documents about the traditionally rich work of the Liege gunsmiths are also presented here. Interesting and the Museum of Walloon Life and the Museum of Walloon Art.

Attractions of Liege - photos

(13 photos)

History

In 721 the city became the seat of the bishop. Under the first prince-bishop of Notger (972-1007), a cathedral and a palace of princes-bishops were erected, and crafts began to flourish.

For almost 800 years the bishopric retained its independence, the last prince-bishop was expelled in 1794 by French troops. The constant struggle against the invaders and the ruling clergy for their rights brought Liege the glory of an extremely freedom-loving city. Liege was even called the Cite ardente - the furious city. In the 16th century, during the reign of the Duke of Burgundy Charles the Bold, Liege was destroyed, later it was attacked by the Spaniards and the French, and the city was also badly damaged during the First World War.

Liege was one of the centers of the first industrial revolution. In the XVIII-XIX centuries, many military enterprises appeared here, including the famous rifle production, which worked with full load even in the First and Second World Wars. In the 1950s and 1960s, Liege became the center of coal and steel. After a decline in the steel and coal industry in the 1970s, Liège retained its importance as a major river port and tourist destination.

What to see

The Gare Guillemans station and the bus station are located in the southern part of the city, from where to the main city square place St. Lambert about 2 km (buses 1 and 4) along boulevard d "Avroy and boulevardde la Sauveniere. Most city bus routes pass through place St. Lambert. There is a second train station nearby. Liege - Palais The historic center of Liege is located north of place St. Lambert, along the Feronstree (rue Feronstre). The modern city center is to the south, around rue Pont dAvroy (rue Pont d'Avroix) and place de la Cathedrale (square Catedral).

The city center is like a huge museum with one of the longest pedestrian zones in Europe. It is best to start your walk from the tourist office on Feronstree (st.Feronstre) and walk north to the Eglise Collegiale St. Barthelemy, St. Bartholomew's Church; Place Saint-Barthelemy; Mon-Sat 10.00-12.00 and 14.00 -17.00, Sun 14.00-17.00; www.st-barthelemy.be). It houses one of the most significant monuments of the Mozan school of bronze casting - a huge 12th century baptismal font, created by an unknown master. It stands on ten bulls, and its walls are decorated with bas-reliefs on biblical themes. The baptismal font is still used today for baptism. Across the road is the Museum of Ansembourg (Musee d "Ansembourg; Feronstree, 114, tel. 04 221 94 02; Tue-Sat 13.00-18.00, Sun 10.00-18.00; € 5 adults, € 3 for students, pensions, and children. from 12 years old), which displays paintings by Liège artists, 17th century tapestries from Oudenaarde (Oudenaarde, East Flanders) and old Delft tiles. the hall hosts piano concerts (Oct.-June, second Wednesday of the month), tickets for which must be booked in advance.

Nearby, on the Quai de Maestrich embankment, there is the Curtius Museum (Musee Curtius; Quai de Maestrich, 13, tel. 04 221 68 17 Fax 04 221 68 09; Mon-Sun 10.00-18.00; € 9 adults, € 5 stud. And pence; www.grandcurtiusliege.be). The 17th century mansion displays archaeological artefacts from the Meuse region and works of art: products from the Mozan foundry school, ancient coins, glassware from all over the world. A unique exhibit of the museum - "The Gospel of Notger" (XI century) in an ivory frame. Walking down the Feronstree past the tourist office to the intersection with rue St. Georges (rue Saint-Georges) and turning left, you can go to the Museum of Fine Arts (Le musee des beaux-arts de Liege (BAL); Feronstree, 86, tel. 04 221 89 11; fax 04 221 92 32; Tue- Sun 10.00-18.00; € 5 adults, € 3 students, pennies, and children). The exhibition includes works by Walloon artists, including Constantin Meunier, Antoine Wirtz, René Magritte and Paul Delvaux. Here they give puppet shows with the participation of Chanchez.

From rue Hors Chateau, parallel to the Feronstree, 373 steps of the Montagne de Bueren staircase lead up to the top of the hill overlooking Liège and the Meuse valley. Back at rue Hors Chateau, you can visit the Museum of Religious Art and the Mozan School (Musee d "Art Religieux et d" ArtMosan; Rue Mere Dieu, tel. 04 221 42 25; Tue-Sat 11.00-18.00, Sun 11.00-16.00; Free admission ). Among the many exhibits that have survived since the reign of the princes-bishops, the figure of St. Hubert (16th century), the patron saint of hunters, and the image of the Virgin Mary (c. 1070).

In the immediate vicinity, in the restored building of the Cour des Mineurs Minorite Monastery, is the Walloon Museum (Musee de la Vie Wallonne; Cour des Mineurs tel. 04 237 90 40; Tue-Sun 09.30-18.00 € 5 adults ., € 4 students and pen., € 3 for ages from 6 to 18). The exposition tells about the history of the region, traditional festivals and processions, as well as the everyday and religious life of the Walloons. The traditional ateliers of basket makers, candelabra makers and other craftsmen have been reconstructed here. Returning to Feronstree, we go to the place du Marche (square. Marche), where the famous column of Le Perron (Le Perron) stands, at which during the reign of the princes-bishops sentences were announced and new laws were read. Since then, Le Perron has been considered a symbol of the city's independence.

Nearby is the town hall (Hotel de Ville, 1714), on the facade of which there is a plaque dedicated to the commissioner Maigret, the hero of detectives Georges Simenon. Nearby is the Palace of Princes-Bishops (Palais des Princes Eveques, 16th century). Passing the house (rue Leopold, 24), where Georges Simenon was born, turn right onto rue de la Cathedrale (street Catedral), which leads to the central Liege Cathedral Saint-Paul (Cathedrale St. Paul, St. Paul's Cathedral, XIX v.).

On the streets closest to the cathedral there are two more churches: Saint-Jean (Eglise St. Jean, Church of St. John the Evangelist, 17th century) and Saint-Jacques (Eglise St. Jacques, Church of St. James), built in the 16th century in flaming Gothic style.

In the Utrmeuse area, in the eastern part of the city, you can visit the Museum of Chanches (Musee Tchantches; Rue Surlet, 56, excursions tel. 04 342 75 75), and in the Boverie Park (Pare de Boverie) - MAMAC Museum of Contemporary Art (Musee d "Art Moderne; Pare de Boverie, Tue-Sat 13.00-18.00, Sun 11.00-16.30, Mon closed € 5 adults, € 3 - up to 18 years old, children up to 12 years old - free of charge), which displays paintings by Pablo Picasso, Fields Gauguin and Paul Signac.

The largest flea market is open on Sundays at La Batte (nab. La Bat).

Chanchez

Liege's mascot is Tchantches, a roughly carved wooden doll with a brightly painted face and a huge nose (according to legend, his nose was broken during baptism). According to the residents of the city, this is a typical liar, personifying the humor and love of freedom of the region.

Chanchez is the son of a peasant, his name is the Walloon interpretation of the name François. Chanchez's drunkenness is explained by the fact that his adoptive father fed him bread crumbs soaked in gin. At the same time, Chanches became the ruler of Utrmoz, was introduced to Charlemagne and, together with Roland, participated in the Battle of Ronseval (although he slept through the decisive part of it). Chanchez wears heavy wooden clogs that make a terrible noise on stage, white stockings, a long blue blouse, a red scarf and a black top hat.

In the puppet shows, Chanchez plays the role of the presenter talking to the audience. True, he, grabbing too much, instead of an entertainer, can start a fight, but for the cheerful and sympathetic nature of Chanches, everything is forgiven. In the Utrmeuse area there is the Museum of Chanches (Musee Tchantches, rue Surlet, 56), in the Museum of Fine Arts (Le musee des beaux-arts de Liege (BAL), Feronstree, 86), puppet shows with his participation are held.

Belgian shotguns

The production of weapons in Liege originated in the 11th century.At the end of the 19th century, the Belgian rifle industry developed rapidly. In the 1880s, Belgium produced as many hunting weapons every year as in all other European countries - more than one and a half million guns! In 1891, Liege, where there were about 187 gun firms, produced 1,124,000 guns. By the start of World War I, the Belgians had filled the European market with their quality rifles.

About 20% of Belgian arms exports went to Russia - in 1913 alone, almost 150 thousand arrived here. Belgian guns. The most popular were the products of Francotte, Piper (Bayard), the National War Weapons Factory (FN), the Liège Manufactory and Lepage. This weapon is still widely used in various types of hunting.

Liege (Belgium) is the largest city of the province of the same name, located on the banks of the Meuse River. One of the industrial centers of the country, it is not considered a popular tourist destination, but this is not reflected in its beauty and unconventional atmosphere.

In Liege, history and modernity merge together, and ancient cathedrals are often located near modern cultural centers. Its population is small - about 200 thousand people, so there are rarely traffic jams or huge queues in supermarkets.

The sights of Liege can be seen in a few days. Before finding out where to go and what to see first, you need to figure out how to get to the city itself.

How to get to Liege

Air travel

The province has an international airport that accepts flights from most countries in Europe, America and Asia, but, unfortunately, there is no regular air service in Liege with the LIS states, so it is most convenient to fly from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus to Brussels.

To get from the airport to the city center (10 km), you can use public transport (in Liege these are only buses):

• No. 53. Sent every 20-30 minutes;
• No. 57. Runs every two hours from 7 am to 5 pm daily.

The journey by car along the E42 highway takes about 15 minutes, and the approximate cost of a taxi on this route is 25 euros.

Road from Brussels

You can get to Liege by train or bus only from nearby countries, so most often tourists come here from the capital of Belgium.

The railway connection between the cities is represented by many electric trains running every 30-60 minutes from Brussel Central station to Liège Guillemins. You can buy tickets both in the station building (in the terminal or at the ticket office), and online on the official website of the Belgian railway (www.belgianrail.be). One way ticket costs about 16 €. Discounts are provided for students, young people under 26, children and pensioners.

Note! Traveling around the cities of Belgium is most profitable on weekends, when there is a system of discounts. Thus, the price of tickets for the Brussels-Liege train from Friday 19:00 to Sunday 19:00 is only 8-9 €.

The Ouibus bus runs daily between the cities, the ticket price is from 4 to 6 €. There are discounts for schoolchildren, students and seniors.

The most convenient way to get to Liege is by car, but the average rental price is 80 € / day. The shortest road is via the E40 route, but you can also take the E411 highway, turning onto the E42. The cost of a taxi in Liege is at the same level as in most European countries - from 2 euros per km and from 5 euros for a landing.

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Weather features

Liege is a city with a moderately warm climate. The most suitable months for rest here are June-August, when the air warms up to 22 ° C. The city gets colder in January and February, but the temperature almost never drops below -2 degrees Celsius.

In Liege, precipitation often falls, in spring and late autumn it is light but lingering rain, and in winter it is soft snow. The greatest amount of precipitation falls in autumn, as well as in June, July and December.

When to go to Liege? Prices

There is a widespread opinion among tourists that there are few interesting sights in the city, so the influx of curious travelers is not observed here throughout the year. Vacation prices are always kept at about the same level, but in summer and during the Christmas holidays they can rise by 5-15%.

Accommodation

The minimum price for accommodation in Liege is 25 € / day (breakfast included) per person in the only hostel in the city - Liège Youth Hostel. Those wishing to stay in a three-star hotel will have to pay from 70 € per room, while the most expensive five-star hotels located in the city center will cost about 170-250 € / day.

Local cuisine: where to dine tasty and inexpensive

In Liege, as in other cities in Belgium, the most popular foods are waffles, chocolates and cheeses. Be sure to try the following traditional desserts:

• Bouquetes - pancakes with cocoa, fruit or raisins;

Prices for lunch in cafes and restaurants in Liege start at 15 euros for a three-course business lunch. According to tourists, the rating of the best establishments looks like this:

1. Restaurant Saveurs de Bulgaria. Eastern European cuisine.
2. Le Zocco Chico. Spanish.
3. La Maison Leblanc and La Roussette de Savoie. French.
4. The Huggy's Bar. American.

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Getting around the city

There are many pedestrian roads and little public transport in Liege, so walking and cycling are the most convenient ways of getting around (rental services are available in all quarters, the price per day is about 14 €). The cost of a single trip on buses running within the city is from 2 €.

Attractions Liege (Belgium)

Montagne de Bueren

Active (and not so) travelers first of all go to this unusual place, located not far from the city hospital. The 374-step planted staircase is not only a great exercise machine for your legs, but also a truly beautiful attraction.

Tourists who have mastered such an ascent become the owners of the most beautiful photos of Liege, because it is from this point that a panoramic view of the entire city opens from the Coteaux de la Citadelle observation deck. At the bottom there are small shops with inexpensive souvenirs.

Liege Central Station is a true masterpiece of architecture. This is a visiting card of the city, a photo against the background of which is a must have for everyone who has been here. Innovative technologies and the ingenious idea of ​​the author Santiago Calatrava made it possible to create a "floating" building without walls and ceilings, with open platforms and natural light during daylight hours.

If you also want to enjoy the beauty and aesthetics of this attraction, pay attention to the weather conditions - a large number of people will not be able to hide here from the rain or snow.

There are also many cafes and souvenir shops in the station building.

Cathedral de Liege

This cathedral is considered the most beautiful in the entire city. It is located in the central district of Liege and is a 15th century historical monument. All tourists can enter the church for free at any time of the day, except Sunday, when people come to lunch prayer. Don't forget to take the opportunity to take photos inside and capture unusual sculptures and antique stained glass windows.

Sculpture of Lucifer. Liege is popular not only for its beautiful buildings, but also for its unusual sculptures. One of these depicts a fallen angel and is located in the main city cathedral. The artist Guillaume Gifs spent more than 10 years transforming ordinary marble into this work of art, for which the residents of the city still thank him.

The Museum of Belgian and Foreign Painting and Photography is the main art center of Liege. Here you can not only see the works of medieval masters, but also visit exhibitions of contemporary artists. Around the building with galleries there is a small green park with benches and fountains. This pleasant place for a relaxing family getaway can be found at Parc de la Boverie 3.

La Place du Marche

The market square of Liege, a wide boulevard with many cafes and restaurants, is a place where you can feel like an ordinary Belgian. Local residents and tourists who come to look at the Perron fountain, a symbol of Liege's independence, and to take pictures with the city hall in the background, constantly rest here.

If you are looking for some delicious Belgian waffles or other desserts, be sure to check out one of the many pastry shops in the square.

Eglise St-Jacques

Everyone who makes it to Liege should visit the Church of St. Jacob, one of the few architectural monuments that combine all cultural styles. Built in the 11th century, it still retains its beauty and is a repository of famous works of religious art.

To get to the cathedral, take city bus number 17.

Important! For visiting tourists, the church is open daily from 10 am to noon.

The Liege Bridge of Angels, built at the beginning of the 20th century, sits at the confluence of two rivers. On both sides it is decorated with unusual golden figures, and with the onset of evening the attraction begins to play with all the colors of the rainbow.

Souvenirs

Delicious delicacies are most often brought from Belgium - wine, chocolate or cheese. But the list of interesting gifts that can be brought from Belgium is not limited to this:

1. Buy small copies of Liege sights - figurines, key rings or magnets.
2. Belgium has a large selection of high quality porcelain or ceramics.
3. Beer and liqueurs are great substitutes for standard wine.

Liege (Belgium) is a city worthy of your attention. Happy Holidays!

Related entries:

Liege is an unusual Belgian city. First mentioned under the Latin name Vicus Leudicus in 558. The city traces its history back to 705, when a franc named Dodon, motivated by blood feud, killed the bishop of the local church, Lambert. After which Lambert was canonized, and the place of his death became popular among pilgrims.

Liege is the cradle of the Carolingian dynasty. Charles Martel (686-741), who defeated the Muslims at the Battle of Poitiers in 732 and saved Europe from Islamization, his son, Pepin the Short (714-768), and his grandson Charlemagne (742-814), who founded the Holy Roman Empire - they were all born near Liège. Charlemagne was declared a saint immediately after his death. However, his holiness was never widely recognized outside the bishopric of Liege, where he is traditionally revered to this day.

The city became the capital of the independent principality of Liege at the end of the 10th century and remained part of the Empire until the Great French Revolution of 1789 and thus never belonged to Burgundy, the Spanish or Austrian Netherlands, or the Habsburg dynasty.

Liège was the only permanent French-speaking part of the Holy Roman Empire from its founding in 800 until its collapse in 1806. French is believed to have originated in Wallonia and northern France as a Frankish dialect of Latin spoken by the Frankish nobility.

Liege was ruled by elected prince-bishops, and their splendid palace still stands in the city center. Liege became a center for arms production in the 16th century under the Prince-Bishop Everard de la Marck, and grew into one of the first modern coal and steel centers in the 19th century. The Belgian Coal Federation began accepting Italian workers in 1922, and after World War II tens of thousands of immigrants from southern Italy came to work in Belgian mines, mainly in Liege and Charleroi. There are currently about 300,000 inhabitants of Italian origin in Belgium, making them the largest foreign community in the country (22%). Pizzerias and trattorias are at every turn in Liege.

Due to its proximity to Maastricht in Holland, Aachen in Germany and Luxembourg, Liege is one of the "crossroads" of Europe. By the way, the province of Liege is the only province in Belgium where one of the official languages ​​is German.

Today's Liege is a large industrial center, where many enterprises of various industries are located, major exhibitions and fairs are held. Apart from its economic status, Liege is the largest tourist destination in Belgium. After all, there are many monuments, ancient buildings, museums, and everything is saturated with the spirit of centuries-old history. And cozy cafes and restaurants, excellent hotels and a huge number of shopping centers make your stay in Liege very comfortable.

The Town Hall is one of the iconic landmarks of Liege. Built at the beginning of the 18th century, it was the place where the fate of the city was decided. Its pediment is adorned with the coat of arms of Liege, and numerous guests of the city are also attracted by a memorial plaque made of bronze, testifying that Liege is the birthplace of the legendary Commissioner Maigret, familiar to all of us from the exciting detective stories of J. Simenon.

The Palace of the Princes-Bishops was erected in the 11th century, and in 1526 it was rebuilt for Prince Everard der Mark. The Palace of Princes-Bishops is not empty even today - it now houses the Palace of Justice.

The Perron Colonnade is one of the favorite tourist attractions in Liege. In the Middle Ages, a majestic column towered here, which in 1697 was turned by the architect J. Delcourt into a stunningly beautiful fountain. Located not far from the City Hall, it symbolizes the ebullient energy and love of freedom of the citizens of Liege.

In Liege, you can also see many interesting cathedrals and churches, for more than a thousand years of their history, many of them were built here. The most famous church in Liege is the Romanesque Saint Barthélemy, founded at the beginning of the 11th century at the behest of Bishop Notger. it differs from the others by its western facade and two towers typical of European temples in the area between the rivers Meuse and Rhine. But the "pearl", a real miracle of Belgium, is rightfully considered the baptistery kept here, made by a goldsmith from Yui Rainier at the beginning of the 12th century. The master painted pictures of the Baptism of the Lord on the font. The baptistery came to the church of Saint Barthélemy in 1804, after being saved from the destroyed church of Our Lady.

The 15th century Saint-Martin Church is interesting in that it is an example of a rare Mass Gothic style. The Church of St. Jacob (XI century) is the most graceful in Liege, it is here that you can look at the splendor of the "stone lace".

The Church of Saint-Jean, built in the 11th century, is considered the most beautiful in Liege. It was originally planned as a staging post for pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostella.

In addition, while in the city of Liege, you should definitely visit some of the most interesting museums.

The Maasland Museum of Archeology and Art is housed in a patrician house (Curtius' house) dating from the early 17th century. The delight of tourists is caused by this very building, made in the spirit of the Maas Renaissance, not to mention the exhibits presented here. Among them - the gospel adorned with precious stones, which belonged to the famous Bishop Notger, on whose orders the most striking architectural monuments were erected in Liege

The building of the former Prefecture houses the Museum of Weapons. There are two impressive cannons at the entrance to the museum. Visitors interested in the artistic or technical aspects of a wide variety of weapons are introduced to over 12,500 exhibits. It also contains documents about the traditionally rich work of the Liege gunsmiths.

For lovers of wandering around the museums in Liege are located the Museum of Walloon Life and the Museum of Walloon Art, widely known in Europe. And for ordinary tourists, the historical center of Liege, which is almost the largest pedestrian zone in Europe, with a diameter of almost three kilometers, will be a real gift.

As for gastronomic delights, the city of Liege is primarily known for its mineral water "Chaudfontaine", chocolate "Galler", as well as the most famous Belgian beer - "Jupiler".

Liège- 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 seat of very influential princes-archbishops.

Monument to King Albert I

Fragni Bridge (Bridge of Angels)

Kindergarten with rabbits

The first thing a traveler arriving by train pays attention to is Liege train 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 my eyes fell on was a huge 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 reached the next house, and there is another mannequin in the window 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 to be a local red light district. Everything for business, no tourists, like in Amsterdam, and indeed 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, have lived 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

Liege does not have a compact old city, attractions 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 at the time. There is also a well-preserved part of the old city, around the episcopal palace, but mostly old churches are located between modern buildings.

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

Cathedral of St. Paul (X-XV centuries)

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

Church of Saint-Jacques (XI-XVI c.)

Church of Saint-Jacques (XI-XVI c.)

St. Anne's Church 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 the construction, the Great French Revolution took place, the Augustinian Order was practically destroyed and the buildings of the monastery were sold out. 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 the Holy Communion.

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

Church of St. Bartholomew (XI-XIX centuries)

The Church of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady (Notre Dame de Immacoule), located nearby, looks no less colorful. The style makes it clear that she is much younger than Saint Barthélemy. It was the church of the Monastery of Discalced Carmelites dedicated to St. Teresa and St. Joseph. During the Revolution, it was sold at auction, after the Revolution, it was bought again by the Carmelites and dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Church of the Conception of Notre Dame de Immacoulet (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 grave of St. Martin of Tours.

Basilica of St. Martin (XVI century)

Basilica of St. Martin (XVI century)

The main museum attraction of Liege is Curtius Museum, named after the owner of the mansion where it is now located. The exhibition 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 city center. The current palace was built in the sixteenth century on the site of an old building destroyed by Karl the Bold.

Archbishop's palace (XVI century)