Liege belgium. Liege, Belgium - Tourist
Hello dear travelers, today we are leaving for the city of Liege!
Liege is one of the oldest cities in Europe and one of the largest cities in Belgium, at the confluence of the Meuse and Urtes rivers. What should interest us in it?
It was founded in the 8th century, initially as a pilgrimage settlement on the site of the tomb of St. Lambert. Over the centuries, the city has experienced social and economic upheavals, religious and civil wars, but has always remained free from anyone's influence.
As the capital of Belgian Wallonia, Liège, nevertheless, is looking more and more confidently towards France, and perhaps the moment when he will become a part of it is not far off.
The city is interesting for its ancient buildings reflecting its thousand-year history, the largest pedestrian zone in Europe, about 3 kilometers long, and the writer Georges Simenon, the creator of the image of the famous Commissioner Maigret, lived in these places.
First of all, tourists in Liege will be attracted by its architecture, among which there are many churches and cathedrals. One of the most beautiful is the Church of St. James, which has preserved the details of the original construction of the 12th century, but in general it is an example of a combination of different styles of medieval architecture.
Here you will find majestic stained-glass windows, at the entrance you will be greeted by the sculptural composition "Jacob's Dream", and in one of the chapels you will see a gilded wooden sculpture of the Virgin Mary dated 1523.
No less impressive is the Cathedral of St. Paul, built in the 10th century, but rebuilt until the 15th century. Consisting of three naves with seven transepts, the building stands out with clear Masonic Gothic features.
The cathedral is also unique for its treasures: ivory items and a golden casket with the relics of St. Lambert. The true masterpieces of the cathedral are the marble sculpture "Entombment" by Delcourt in 1696, as well as frescoes from the mid-16th century.
You will lose a lot if you do not climb Mount Buerna using the 406-step staircase, because you will be rewarded with a magnificent panorama of the city. According to legend, 6,000 soldiers led by the local patriot Buerin in this place climbed the hill to capture the camp of Charles the Bold - the Duke of Burgundy.
However, this plan failed, and 600 daredevils were destroyed. The staircase was built at the supposed climbing site in 1880. However, they now claim that the events took place in a completely different place, and the stairs were built for the convenience of the garrison soldiers, so that they bypass dangerous alleys.
You are likely to be interested in the many museums in Liege, reflecting the rich history of the city and its provinces. The Museum of Walloon Art has an excellent collection of paintings representing the work of Walloon artists from the 17th century to the present, among other works there are paintings by the famous surrealist René Magritte.
The former mansion of the aristocrat Jean de Corte, built in the 17th century, now houses a collection of archaeological finds and works of decorative art from the Liege lands. Among the exhibits of the museum, the 12th century gospel, decorated with ivory and enamel, stands out. Liege also houses the arms museum - the second largest in Europe. This is a reminder that Liege at one time was one of the centers of the arms trade, which was supplied to all parts of the world.
If you are tired of excursions, then you can go shopping. Better yet, go early in the morning to the Marché de Liege la Batte market, which stretches along the Meuse River. In one of the longest markets in Europe, you will always find fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry.
For a bite to eat, head to one of the many eateries in the center and be sure to try the local beer, cheese and chocolate, as well as cutè peures (dry waffles), a highlight of the local cuisine. Do not forget to visit the tracery ultra-modern building of the railway station and only then your trip to Liege will be considered complete.
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Liege (Belgium) - the most detailed information about the city with a photo. The main attractions of Liege with descriptions, guides and maps.
Liege (Belgium)
sights
The Palace of the Princes-Bishops is a historic building that now houses the court and seat of the Wallonia government. The palace dates back to the 15th century. It replaced an older medieval structure that was destroyed. The building is interesting in that 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 in Liege is the embankment of the Meuse River. There are also several interesting objects here: the Pont des Arches bridge, built between 1858 and 1862 to replace the old 11th century bridge, the meat room, built in 1546, the historical hotel of the 16th century. There is a market on La Batte Quay in the morning.
Church of Saint Barthélemy is one of the main sacred 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 Romanesque architecture of the Rhine Valley. The most valuable treasure of the church is the 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 Féronstrée, which starts at the eastern end of the market square and runs through the heart of the old town to the Church of Saint Barthélemy. Most of the buildings that escaped demolition date from the 18th century. It houses the Museum of Walloon Art (Musée de l "Art Wallon), which displays paintings, sculptures and drawings by famous Walloon artists.
Basilica Saint-Martin is a stone church in the late Gothic style. This religious building was founded in the 10th century and destroyed by fire in 1312 during a dispute between the guilds and the nobility. The church was rebuilt in the 16th century and has beautiful stained glass windows dating from 1526-1536.
The Maestricht waterfront (Quai de Maestricht) is home to many interesting museums. The Museum of Arms (Musée d "Armes) houses an excellent collection of small arms, reflecting the traditions of arms production in Liege, dating back to the 14th century. The Museum of Curtius (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. It is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture dating back to the 10th century. The structure of the cathedral is distinguished by a beautiful tower, as well as a pulpit, vaults and a ceiling. The church has a beautiful interior, decorated between the 16th and 19th centuries. Several religious treasures were transferred here from the ancient Cathedral of Saint 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 displays include 350,000 items 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.
Montagne de Buren is a hilltop with a stunning panorama of Liege, which can be climbed by a winding staircase.
Archeoforum is an archaeological site with an area of \u200b\u200balmost 4000 square meters, located in St. Lambert Square. Includes the ruins of the eponymous medieval cathedral, 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.
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 are combined 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 with the LIS states in Liege, 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 only get to Liege by train or bus 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 (at 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 €. Discounts for schoolchildren, students and seniors apply.
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 € for 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
It is widely believed among tourists that there are few interesting sights in the city, so there is no influx of curious travelers 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%.
Residence
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
Lacquemants In Liege, as in other cities in Belgium, the most popular foods are waffles, chocolate 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:
Le Zocco Chico - Restaurant Saveurs de Bulgaria. Eastern European cuisine.
- Le Zocco Chico. Spanish.
- La Maison Leblanc and La Roussette de Savoie. French.
- 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 a really 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 \u200b\u200bthe 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 from the rain or snow here.
There are also many cafes and souvenir shops in the station building.
Cathedral de Liege
This cathedral is considered the most beautiful in the whole 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 city's residents 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 holiday with the whole family 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 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 patisseries in the square.
Eglise St-Jacques
Anyone who makes it to Liege should visit the Church of St. James, 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:
- Buy small copies of Liege attractions - figurines, key rings or magnets.
- Belgium has a large selection of high quality porcelain or ceramics.
- Beer and liqueurs are great substitutes for standard wine.
Liege (Belgium) is a city worthy of your attention. Have a nice holiday!
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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, Liège became the center of coal and steel. After a decline in the steel and coal industry in the 1970s, Liege 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 (Saint-Lambert) about 2 km (buses No. 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 Feronstré). 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 at Feronstree (st.Feronstre) and walk north to the Eglise Collegiale St. Barthelemy, St. Bartholomew Church; Place Saint-Barthelemy; Mon-Sat 10 am-12pm and 2 pm -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 biblical bas-reliefs. The font is still used 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, 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 art objects: products from the Mozan foundry school, ancient coins, glassware from around the world. A unique exhibit of the museum - "Notger's Gospel" (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 Wierz, René Magritte and Paul Delvaux. Here they give puppet shows with 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 (XVI century), 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 6 to 18). The exhibition tells about the history of the region, traditional festivals and processions, as well as the daily and religious life of the Walloons. The traditional ateliers of basket-makers, candelabra makers and other craftsmen have been reconstructed here. Returning to the Feronstree, we go to place du Marche (square Marche), where the famous column of 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 in.).
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 city's residents, 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 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 making 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 Chanches is forgiven for his cheerful and responsive nature. 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 guns
The production of weapons in Liege originated in the 11th century.At the end of the 19th century, the Belgian gun 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 rifle companies, produced 1,124,000 rifles. 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, Pieper (Bayard), the National War Weapons Factory (FN), the Liège Manufactory and Lepage. This weapon is still widely used in various types of hunting.
Many people know about cozy and clean Belgium, 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 of seeing old cities such as Liege, the sights of which cannot be avoided even in a week. But if you are short on time, visit the historic center. Its stone-paved streets keep the spirit of the past. Let's talk about the most interesting tourist sites in the city.
St Paul's Cathedral
Saint-Paul is located in the residence of the Bishop of Liege. The cathedral, whose construction 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 with the marble statue of Christ by Delcourt. 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 baptismal font of the 12th century. A fine example of art casting in Liege is decorated with relief scenes of the baptismal ceremony. He rests on bulls, symbolizing the apostles. The sandstone temple with two ornate towers perfectly preserved ancient sculptures and paintings of religious themes.
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 upward-looking Gothic building is decorated with exquisite stone decoration, stained glass windows of the 16th century, and painted interior 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, where 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 Princes-Bishops
Noteworthy is the former residence of the heads of the clergy. The palace is on the tentative UNESCO World Heritage List. Now the Palace of Justice is here. The building, built in the 10th century for the bishop of Notger, has suffered from fires and destruction more than once. Its appearance is notable for galleries of 60 columns with luxurious capitals and a Gothic central façade. The interiors are decorated in the spirit of the Renaissance.
Montagne du Buren is named after a brave nobleman who rebelled against the capture of Liege by the Burgundians. It leads to the hill where the Citadel Park is located. There are 374 steps in it, so benches are installed for tourists. The city and its surroundings are clearly visible from the upper platform. In summer, the staircase is decorated with flower arrangements; in October, the Night Hills festival is held here.
