Liege,
la Cité Ardente

La Cité Ardente, the hot-blooded city. Who coined the words, we shall never know, but no one passing through Liege can ever doubt the sheer perfection of the phrase.

For much of its history, Liege was a center of ecclesiastical power. The Prince-Bishops developed a rather democratic institution. They succeeded in keeping Liege removed from the fearful wars that swept over Belgium and Europe in the late 1500's and 1600's preserving the economic base that was to make Liege an industrial pioneer in later times.

Testimony to this past glory is the Palace of the Prince-Bishops. Of the two courtyards that abut the palace grounds, the second is the most beautiful. It is surrounded by the actual residence of the Prince-Bishops, one of the largest secular Gothic buildings of Europe. Presently it houses the court rooms of Liege. Opposite this Palace is the ancient Market Place with its "Perron" column, symbol of the city's liberties and the Town Hall.

Under their churchly administration, Liege developed Europe's earliest and most advanced coal mining industry, metallurgy plants, glassworks and especially gun factories. Many fine churches still grace the city. In the beautiful twin-towered Romanesque Saint Barthelemy Church you will find one of the most remarkable masterpieces of Liege, the Baptismal font by Renier de Huy, cast in the 12th century.

Other musts are the Curtius Museum, 17th century mansion of the patrician industrialist, Jean Curtius, in fine Mosan style; lovely Merovingian jewelry, Carolingian coins, Gallo -Roman stone objects and the famous "evangeliary" of Bishop Notger.

The "Montagne de Bueren"

Those who are not afraid of some physical effort can take a walk up the 406 steps of the Montagne de Bueren: the reward will be a fantastic panoramic view over the city of Liège. According to legend, the 600 Franchimontese soldiers climbed up the hill in 1468 to take the camp of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy. They were lead by the Liège patriot Bueren, who wanted to encourage his fellow citizens to take up arms against Charles the Bold who had taken the city. The whole plan failed, the 600 Franchimontese were killed and the city was plundered for 7 weeks. As a matter of fact, the adventure took place on another hill of the city. The montagne de Bueren staircase was actually only built in 1880 to allow the soldiers of the garrison on top of the hill to go down to the center without having to pass through the dangerous little alleys.

St. Paul Cathedral and "Le Perron"

The cathedral was founded in the 10th century but rebuilt from the 13th until the 15th century. In 1801 the church was promoted to cathedral to replace the ruined St. Lambert Cathedral. Consequently, changes were undertaken to prepare St. Paul's for its new function.

The building shows the typical elements of the Mosan Gothic style: three naves with seven bays and chapels. The entrance is on the Northern side. On the ceiling some beautiful frescoes can be admired. They date from 1557 and show a panoply of people, birds, arabesques and mythical animals.

The symbol of the city of Liège is the 'Perron' (pictured above) at the 'Place du Marché'. The monument represents the Province of Liège and the city freedoms. The original Perron had been demolished by Charles the Bold of Burgundy. Later, Mary of Burgundy had it reconstructed.

The present Perron, designed in 1697 by Jean Delcour, consists of a octagonal fountain with arcades in which a column, carried by four lions, supports the Three Graces who carry a pine cone.

Click here for a map of Liege.