The Belgian city of Liege is located in Wallonia. It is the largest city in the region and the capital of the region of the same name. In popularity among tourists, it is significantly inferior to Brussels or Bruges, but, despite this, the city still has something to see. In this article you will find an overview of the sights of Liege and the surrounding area.
What is interesting about Liege?
Under the name Leodius, the city existed already in the 18th century. However, the quiet and calm atmosphere of medieval Europe in it was preserved only partially. Important motorways, railways and sea routes pass through it, so the city is quite lively.
Modernity and history successfully exist here side by side, without interfering with each other. From this, he is in no way inferior to other cities in Belgium. In fact, there are quite a lot of attractions in Liege, so you won’t be bored here.
Even in the Middle Ages, art developed in the city, in the 19th century it became one of the centers of metallurgy, the production of weapons and crystal. Today, local museums tell about all this, for example, the Museum of Religious Art in the main square, the Museum of metallurgy and industry or the Curtius Museum, located in the old mansion of Jean de Corte.
Reviews of the sights of Liège and its environs are only positive. The city has unique architectural monuments, green squares and parks, spacious squares, interesting sculptures and fountains.
Liege Guillemins Station
Familiarity with the sights of Liège can be started right at the station. Starting from 1842 (the date of foundation), the station building changed its appearance three times. Now it represents a modern futuristic building made of steel, glass and concrete with smooth undulating lines.
Palace of the Princes Bishops
The palace, built in the XI century, demonstrates a different era. More precisely, several eras, because the building was rebuilt many times. Gothic in it is combined with the Italian and French Renaissance.
The building is replete with decorative stucco details, galleries from columns with arched passages. Everything looks very magnificent and delicate. The Bishops Palace is one of the most impressive sights of Liege. It could not be otherwise, because Liege was the center of the diocese, which means that the palace for bishops in it should have been the most luxurious.
Mount Buren
Mount Buren, or the Soldier's Ladder, was built in honor of memorable, but sad events for the city. It is dedicated to one nobleman - the leader of the uprising against the Burgundian ruler Karl the Bold, who wanted to capture Liège. The efforts of Vincent de Buren were unsuccessful, the city was subdued and plundered.
The staircase has 374 steps, from which it is often called the staircase-street. To lift was not tiring, there are many benches on it. And at the very top you will find a magnificent view of Liege.
St Paul's Cathedral
Another bright attraction of Liege is the cathedral. It is also the residence of the head of the diocese of the region. The construction of the cathedral took five whole centuries (from X to XV). That is why his Gothic style is complemented by classic and baroque details.
There are several chapels in the cathedral, and inside its main decoration is a marble sculpture of Jean Delcourt. Directly adjacent to it is the Cathedral Square. There are many cafes and restaurants where you can try Belgian cuisine.
Church of St. Bartholomew
Bartholomew's Church has a somewhat unusual architecture, characteristic only for this region. Initially, it was built of sandstone in the Germanic-Romance Maas style, which was used in the valley of the river Meuse. Later, elements of other styles were added to it.
This is the oldest church in Liege. A pilgrimage road, the Way of St. James, leads to the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. In honor of this, shells made of bronze are laid out between the stones of urban pavers.
Val Saint Lambert Plant
The plant in Serena near Liege also enjoys the attention of travelers. Since 1826, crystal has been made here. Visitors can observe with their own eyes how products are born, get acquainted with the history of Val Saint-Lambert, and also purchase something for memory.
The plant was built in one of the buildings of the Rue de Val monastery, founded in the 13th century. Next to it is an old cemetery and a stone chapel.
