Belgium: The City of Tournai
Tournai (in Dutch Doornik) is located in the Wallonia region of Belgium, in the basin of the River Scheldt.
Tournai is considered to be one of the most important cultural sites in Belgium. The mixed Romanesque- and Gothic-style cathedral of Notre Dame de Tournai and the belfry, the oldest in Belgium, have been jointly designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Inside the cathedral, the Châsse de Notre-Dame flamande, a beautifully ornate 12th-century reliquary, gives witness to Tournai's wealth in the Middle Ages.
At the time we visited Tournai the most parts of the cathedral were inaccessible due to restauration acitivities.
Other places of interest are the 13th-century Scheldt bridge (Pont-des-Trous) and the main square (Grand'Place), as well as several old city gates, historic warehouses, and a variety of museums.
On rue Barre-St-Brice are two of the oldest private houses in Europe, dating from between 1175 and 1200 and built in the Romanesque style, while the rue des Jésuites includes a Gothic house from the 13th century.
Tournai Belgium
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Belgium Travel Attractions - Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai
Take a tour of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai in Belgium -- part of the World's Greatest Attractions series by GeoBeats.
When exploring Belgium's architecture, start with Notre Dame Cathedral in Tournai.
The cathedral was first built in the twelfth century but was added on to afterwards.
The cathedral showcases multiple medieval architectural styles at one site including Romanesque and Gothic.
Tournai Cathedral was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000 because of this.
It sits on the Scheldt River and is constructed of bluish gray stone.
Belgium's history is as rich as its food. Discover Notre Dame Cathedral in Tournai.
Historic Tournai, Belgium's Oldest City - Tournai, Belgium
Originally a Roman outpost, and later the capital of the Frankish empire until that was moved to Paris in 432AD, Tournai is the oldest city in Belgium. It was the birthplace of Clovis I, the first king of the Salian Franks, an important religious center before the Reformation, and remains a major Belgian cultural site. Its Cathedral de Notre Dame de Tournai and Belfry of Tournai are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
For visitors to Brussels, Tournai can be reached via train and explored as an easy day trip.
The Photos (in order)
E09A1986 - Grand Place, Tournai's main square, and the Cathedral of Notre Dame
E09A1991 - Another view of Grand Place
E09A1923 - The five Romanesque towers of the Cathedral of Notre Dame dominates Tournai's skyline
E09A1974 - Inside the Cathedral of Notre Dame; much of the cathedral date back to the 12th and 13th centuries
E09A1979 - The Belfry of Tournai is a free-standing medieval bell tower about 240 feet tall; construction began in 1188AD, making it the oldest surviving belfry in Belgium
E09A1930 - Pont des Trous, a bridge over the Scheldt (Escaut) River, was built in 1290AD, and was once part of the city's fortifications
E09A2025 - Le Fort Rouge, named for its red roof, was built as a defensive tower in the 12th century
E09A1919 - Tournai was captured by England's Henry VIII in 1513, becoming the only Belgian city to have been ruled by England; the Tower of Henry VIII, unfortunately surrounded by scaffolding while I was there; was built during that period as a defensive post
DAY 7 - NAMUR: LOUIS XIV AND A CASTLE (Belgium #InsideOut)
Hello, it's Weekendr Girl on the Belgium #InsideOut project once again - welcome to Namur. If you love castles, battle stories, the history of European wars or Louis the XIV, then this short overview is right up your alley! Get acquainted briefly with this magnificent city, enjoy learning more about the world about us - and visit Belgium, while you are at it! Such a treasure trove, this country.
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Tournai Doornik Belgium
A introduction to the city of Tournai or Doornik in Belgium.
One beautyful Summerday in the High Fene - Belgium- Part 2- 4K
Ein schöner Sommertag im Hohen Venn Teil 2
Une belle journée d'été en Hautes Fagnes Part 2
The Citadel of Namur, Belgium
The Citadel or Castle of Namur is a fortress in the city of Namur, at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers. It is originally from the Roman era, but has been rebuilt several times. It has been classified as a Wallonia's Major Heritage site.
Belgium: Huy and its Citadel - Hoei en haar citadel
Huy is a municipality of Belgium. It is situated in the Walloon Region and the Province of Liege. Huy lies along the river Meuse, at the mouth of the small river Hoyoux.
The first village originated around the Roman castrum, an early fortress located on the right bank of the River Meuse.
A new fortress was built by the Dutch in 1818 at the same strategic location above the town.
The four 'wonders of Huy' are (in Huy dialect):
- Li Pontia, the bridge over the River Meuse
- Li Rondia, the rose window of the Gothic Notre-Dame Collegiate Church
- Li Bassinia, the 15th-century fountain that stands in the middle of the Grand Place
- Li Tchestia, the 1818 fortress that dominates the city
The Citadel of Lille
Blog:
Richard Copans Documentary series Architectures
. The Citadel of Lille. “Queen of the citadels” was the model for military constructions all over France. Built between 1668 and 1671, its exacting and simple design has made it a source of inspiration for major contemporary architects.
La Citadelle de Lille • Stan Neumann • France • 2011 • 26 minutes • Color • 1.78:1 • English
20170114 Grand Pace, Tournai, Belgium.
LES PLUS BELLES PHOTOS DE TOURNAI D'ANTAN TOURNAI EN AVANT )
les années passe .. tournai à bien changer ..très belle chanson de christian croain ..un chanteur bien de chez nous ..
Belgium: Namur and its Citadel
Namur (Namen) is a city and municipality in Wallonia, in southern Belgium. It is both the capital of the province of Namur and (since 1986) of Wallonia.
Namur stands at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers.
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.
The town's most prominent sight is the citadel, now demilitarised and open to the public. Namur also has a distinctive 18th century cathedral dedicated to Saint Aubain.
The towns location at the head of the Ardennes made it a popular tourist center.
More information:
GoPro city trip Lier (Belgium)
Lier is een stad in de Belgische provincie Antwerpen. Lier ligt ten zuidoosten van de stad Antwerpen en bestaat uit de deelgemeenten Koningshooikt en Lier zelf. De stad telt ongeveer 34.000 inwoners en ligt aan de samenloop van de Grote Nete en de Kleine Nete. Lier wordt de poort der Kempen genoemd en kreeg de bijnaam Lierke Plezierke. Haar patroonheilige is Gummarus en de spotnaam voor een Lierenaar is schape(n)kop.
Liege, Belgium
Quick pan of the river area
Huy, beautiful city in belgium, Meuse, , Mur de Huy, Citadel de Huy, Walloon, La Flèche Wallonne
Woensdag is het tijd voor de Waalse Pijl. La Flèche Wallonne, zoals de koers in het Frans heet, heeft met de Muur van Hoei eHuy (pronounced: [ɥi]; Dutch: Hoei; Walloon: Hu) is a municipality of Belgium. It lies in the country's Walloon Region and Province of Liege. Huy lies along the river Meuse, at the mouth of the small river Hoyoux. It is in the sillon industriel, the former industrial backbone of Wallonia, home to about two-thirds of the Walloon population. The Huy municipality includes the sub-municipalities of Ben-Ahin, Neuville-sous-Huy, and Tihange.,2016: Alejandro Valverde (Spa)
2015: Alejandro Valverde (Spa)
2014: Alejandro Valverde (Spa)
2013: Daniel Moreno (Spa)
2012: Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa)
2011: Philippe Gilbert (Bel)
2010: Cadel Evans (Aus)
2009: Davide Rebellin (Ita)
2008: Kim Kirchen (Lux)
2007: Davide Rebellin (Ita)
Cycling[edit]
Huy is home to the finish of the La Flèche Wallonne (English: Walloon Arrow; Dutch: Waalse Pijl), an important 1-day cycling race held midweek in mid-April. The race traverses, and finishes, at the summit of the Mur de Huy (English: Wall of Huy), a climb of about 1 kilometer with an average gradient of 10%, with sections of 20%. Huy has also been used in the Tour de France four times: 1995, 2001, 2006 and 2015.
In popular culture[edit]
Huy was used as the location for the 2014 BBC television drama series The Missing.
Famous persons[edit]
Renier de Huy, metalworker (first half of the 12th century)
Joseph Lebeau, politician (1794-1865)
Anne-Marie Lizin, politician (born in 1949)
André Malherbe, three-time motocross world champion
Meingold of Huy, Roman Catholic saint (died 892)
John Joseph Merlin, inventor of the roller skate (September 17, 1735 in Huy - May 4, 1803 in London)
Peter the Hermit, instigator of the First Crusade (1050 in Amiens - 1115 in Huy)
Le Père Pire, recipient of the 1958 Nobel Peace Prize, lived in Huy (February 10, 1910 in Dinant - January 30, 1969)
Alizée Poulicek
Patrick Sarsfield, (1660 – 21 August 1693) 1st Earl of Lucan. Cavalry commander of Jacobite forces at the Siege of Limerick, Ireland, General in French Army following Flight of the Wild Geese is buried here, in the graveyard of St. Martin's Church.
Léon Lhoist, businessman
Huy Trinh, Definer of the Huy Curve, Nutty Movement LegendMeuse. In the latter part of the 17th century, Louis XIV’s wars caused the city to be repeatedly attacked and put to the sword, to the point that the frustrated inhabitants dismantled their own castle, source of their miseries, in 1715.
A new fortress was built by the Dutch in 1818 at the same strategic location above the town. The 19th century was a period of relative prosperity based on the paper and other industries. The decline of heavy industry in the 20th century was felt here, as in other parts of Wallonia. Today, the city has started to prosper again, thanks in part to its tin products and tourist activity.
In 1970 the Tihange Nuclear Power Station was built.
Folklore[edit]
Every seven years, a religious procession takes place in the so-called 'septennial festivities' in commemoration of the end of a drought in 1656. The last one took place on August 15, 2012.
Main sights[edit]
See also: List of protected heritage sites in Huy
The four 'wonders of Huy' are (in Huy dialect):
Li Pontia, the bridge over the River Meuse
Li Rondia, the rose window of the Gothic Notre-Dame collegiate church
Li Bassinia, the 15th-century fountain that stands in the middle of the Grand Place
Li Tchestia or the Citadel of Huy, the 1818 fortress that dominates the city
Remembrance & History, Eurometropolis - Lille, Kortrijk, Tournai - Unravel Travel TV
For many centuries, the frontier zone covered by the Eurometropolis area has been a battlefield of Europe due to its geographical location at the crossroads of nations' destiny. The area has preserved numerous scars as well as an exceptional historical and commemorative heritage. The frontline of the First World War crossed Flanders and the Picardie region. The In Flanders Fields museum in Ypres retraces the history of daily life in the trenches. On the other side of the square, you can read on the walls of the Menenpoort, a memorial gate resembling a Roman triumph, the names of 54.896 soldiers of the British Empire who disappeared during this war. Since 1928, the Last Post can be heard every night at 8 o'clock p.m., echoing under the impressive vaults. In the Region of the Lys, the Flanders Field American cemetery in Waregem and the German military cemetery of Menen are both very important places of remembrance. The fortresses of Bondues and of Seclin, the museum of the resistance in Villeneuve-d'Ascq and the birth house of Charles de Gaulle in Lille also testify of the people's resistance during the Second World War.
Bayernwald (Bayern Wood)
This unique German site is located between the villages of Wijtschate and Voormezele. The site consists of two mine galleries, a mine shaft, a trench system and five bunkers. It is accessed via a footpath which passes through the restored network of trenches. A series of information panels give details of the events which took place here and explain what life at the front was really like.
German Military Cemetery Menen
The German military cemetery at Menen is the largest German war cemetery in Western Europe, commemorating no fewer than 47 900 fallen soldiers. During WWI Menen was occupied by German troops, where several German hospitals and cemeteries were constructed. This cemetery was located close to a wood, hence the name 'Meenen Wald'. Open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Belgian Military Cemetery Vleteren
French soldiers started this cemetery in the autumn of 1914. Only by June 1916, the Belgians took it over. After the war, the site was enlarged and the French soldiers were relocated. This cemetery became one of the nine Belgian military cemeteries in West-Flanders. A total of 1 207 soldiers found their last resting-place in the Belgian military cemetery in the village of Westvleteren. Open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Commonwealth Military Cemetery Lijssenthoek & Visitor Centre.
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery is the impressive witness of more than four years of war violence. From 1915 until 1920 the hamlet of Lijssenthoek became the venue for the biggest evacuation hospital in the Ypres Salient. Today the cemetery evokes daily reflections of the Great War. The visitor centre tells the story of this unique site.
Cimetière Militaire Commonwealth du Tyne Cot
Tyne Cot Cemetery is the largest military cemetery of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on the continent. This impressive cemetery has almost 12,000 tombstones. The impressive rear wall of the cemetery contains the names of 35,000 soldiers missing in action. On 12 July 2007 a brand new visitor infrastructure was opened. The new visitor centre offers a unique view over the former battlefields and contains much information on Tyne Cot Cemetery and the fallen of Passchendaele.
Cimetière militaire français Ossuaire français Kemmel
The mass grave at the foot of Kemmel Hill contains the remains of 5 294 French soldiers, of whom just 57 are identified. Their names can be seen on the central monument.Most of those men died during the battle for Kemmel Hill in April 1918. The panorama of the surroundings from this point is impressive. Open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Mine Crater at St.Eloi
The crater at St.Eloi is the result of the largest deep mine detonated during the war. The crater is flanked by an intact British bunker from 1917 and stands just 100 metres from another crater, the result of one of the six mines exploded on 27 March 1916 during the Attack of St.Eloi.
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Royaume de Belgique - Dinant