What I am mostly surprised of this region of Belgium, is its nature. The heavily forested Ardennes massif occupies the southeast of the Walloon region. Mostly cliffs, forests, river Meuse […]
What I am mostly surprised of this region of Belgium, is its nature. The heavily forested Ardennes massif occupies the southeast of the Walloon region. Mostly cliffs, forests, river Meuse and many streams. The legend said Hitler will never manage to break through the Ardennes and take over Belgium and later Netherlands. Happens to be the guy invented tenks.
Anyhow, this topographic peculiarity gave the region its name, Wallonie being in the Walloon tongue the ‘land of the valleys’ (vallons). It is a common misconception to think that the region’s name derives from Walha, the ancient Germanic word for ‘strangers’ or ‘non-Germanic people’, after which Wales and Wallachia were named.
As a pat of Kingdom of Belgium, the economic inequalities and linguistic divide between Wallonie and Flanders are major sources of political conflict in Belgium and a major factor in Flemish separatism.
Liege
This is Wallonia’s largest city. It is one of the longest continuous history of any Belgian cities and some fine examples of 17th- and 18th-century Mosan architecture. It is a vibrant and friendly city known in French as the Citée ardente, due to the warmth and enthusiasm of the local folk.
The City Hall
As Birthplace of Charlemagne, the place has the present cathedral of Liège which was originally one among the seven collegiate churches of the city built in the times of merovinian dynasty. Today it is called St. Lambert’s Cathedral.
St. Lambert’s Cathedral
Mons
Mons got its name from Latin “montes“, meaning “mount”, from the geographical feature where it stands, although it is really just a hill. 🙂
At the heart of the city is a beautiful Grand Place with buildings originally built in 1530 in the Gothic style of wealthy local families. Ofcourse, there is a Town Hall (so called “House of Peace”) and the Belfry.
Grand Place in Mons with the Town Hall and Belfry
Outside the main entrance of City Hall is a small iron statue of a monkey. Its origin is not really known, but it is for sure some centuries old. Some historians claim it was placed there in order to bring luck to the city and its inhabitants. Today, the tradition is that when you visit Mons, you should touch the monkey’s head with left hand and make a wish.
So I did 🙂 So far good…
The Sainte-Waudru Collegiate Church is one of the most characteristic churches and most homogeneous of Brabantine Gothic architecture (Brabant is the region of Wallonie).
Namur
Then my favourite Namur and Dinant! 🙂
Standing at the Meuse river, the town began as an important trading settlement in Celtic times, straddling east-west and north-south trade routes across the Ardennes.
The Romans established a presence after Julius Caesar defeated the local Aduatuci tribe.
Museum of the Celtic cultureThe tap dating the times of the Celts
Namur came to prominence during the early Middle Ages when the Merovingians built a castle or citadel on the rocky spur overlooking the town at the confluence of the two rivers. When the Dutch gained the right to garrison Namur, although the subsequent Treaty of Utrecht of 1713 gave control of Namur to the then called Spanish Netherlands , the citadel was in the hands of the Austrian House of Habsburg. Note the strategic importance of the citadell, which was later recognized by Napoleon, too.
The view on the city from the citadel and Pont de Jambes – the oldest bridge in Namur
Middle Ages were also the most interesting time for Namur. It was economically rich and developed, at the crossroads of the German Hansestadts and France.
It was the city of handcrafts, especially the goldsmiths’ work and glass work are valuable and unique to see in the local museum.
Butchery from 12th centuryLively 17th century Namur: cabaret!
Dinant
From Namur, I took the train to Dinant! 🙂
The train was passing by beautiful Ardennes, marked with river Meuse, green forest and high and sharp cliffs. There is a legend about the four nephews of Charlemagne riding a horse named Reynard, passing by the Ardennes and separating magically the cliff to go through. It is how the valley of Dinant became (he name of the city comes from celtic ”Sacred Valley” or “Divine Valley” ).
A cliff that was separated by one of four sons of Wallonie (nephew of King Charles the Great – Charlemagne)
The city is rather small but pictoresque. The main square is Place Reine Astrid, just at the foot of the citadel hill. People climb usually at the top of the citadel with the funicular, and enjoy the view from the restaurant. Below is the collegiate Church of Notre-Dame.
Citadel and the Church of Notre Dame
Just opposite the church stands the Meuse bridge. It is a beautiful early Gothic building from the 13th century on which are placed colorful saxophons in the colors of the flags od EU member states. Why saxophones?
Well, the inventor of saxophone – Mr Adolph Sax was born in Dinant. 🙂
Adolphe Sax – the inventor of saxophone comes from Dinant
Beautiful architecture and amazing scenery too. All I know of Belgium so far is Bruges and I loved it! The cathedral reminds me of the ones in Northern France.
Beautiful pictures!
I love how you have written about the history and legends of the places that you visited! Makes the post really interesting to read. 🙂
Okay! This is great. For someone who majored in plant biology, I find the natural environment so beautiful. Hopefully I will visit Belgium one day. Definitely putting it down on my travel list.
What an absolutely stunning place! Love your photos and would love to explore i sometime- another place to add to the bucket list I guess 🙂
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I once visited Brussels and I fell in love with Belgium. I think I might have to revisit and this time don’t miss out on these pearls! 🙂
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The architecture is simply amazing. I can’t wait to go. It’s in my top ten, now. Thank you.
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I would love to visit Belgium soon, and this information will be very enlightening. Thanks! 🙂
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The pictures in this post are amazing! I would love to know what camera and objective you use. Great post in every way! 🙂
https://byveera.blogspot.fi/2017/05/pienet-varpaat.html?m=0
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Lovely post. Worth adding to my list of travel destinations. 🙂
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Seems like wonderful places and less commercial too. Architecture is wonderful and some nice clicks there by you. Keep Travelling!
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Belgium’s been on my to-visit list. Now you only made me wanna go there sooner!
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Such a lovely photos. Would love to visit the place one day. Too bad its thousand of miles away from where i am living
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I’m very much hoping to go to Belgium soon! thanks for the tips!
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Beautiful architecture and amazing scenery too. All I know of Belgium so far is Bruges and I loved it! The cathedral reminds me of the ones in Northern France.
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Then you should check my Flanders post about it 😊
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I will 🙂
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I Really like to See You…….Thanx for Share
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Beautiful pictures!
I love how you have written about the history and legends of the places that you visited! Makes the post really interesting to read. 🙂
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Great overview of these places. Appreciate the natural pictures as well. Congrats!
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Your picture of the church of Notre Dame and the Citadel is just insane!!! You have a very good eye 🙏
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Lovely photos. Will need to add to my list of places to go. Love to read about the history!
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Such a beautiful place to explore! Your so cool – modern red riding hood! I love it! xo
Pammy – joyfulsource.com
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Okay! This is great. For someone who majored in plant biology, I find the natural environment so beautiful. Hopefully I will visit Belgium one day. Definitely putting it down on my travel list.
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Such a beautiful place and the architecture is simply amazing. It is a hidden gem.
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