One last look back at Belgium: November 2012

As many of you will know, I was on holiday in Europe for three weeks. It was a wonderful holiday where I got to catch up with many friends. In fact, most of my holiday destinations are chosen based on whether I have friends there or not. I don’t see any point discovering new, interesting places if I have no-one to share them with.

I’m back home in South Africa but thought I’d post a few more photos from my few days in Liège, Belgium – more for myself than for you, my reader (I must admit.) Although these were taken a mere three weeks ago I miss the place and the people already.

The city of Liège, in the east of the country, is the capital of Belgium’s “Wallonia” (French-speaking) region. It is situated on the banks of the Meuse River (also known as the Maas in Dutch), and is home to approximately 190 000 people. According to the city’s tourist website, the city dates back to the 7th century. In the 18oos the city developed into one of Europe’s first large-scale steel making centres – a real working-class town. Unfortunately, from the 1960s the city began to suffer as the coal and steel industries declined.

Not all is doom and gloom for Liège, however. It is showing some economic recovery, and its new train station has seen the region opening up as more of a tourist destination. The city is also a major educational hub in Belgium: there are over 42,000 students attending more than 24 schools and the University of Liège, founded in 1817, has 20 000 students. The city has also been the birthplace of many well-known musicians, writers and artists in Europe, as well as tennis player Justine Henin.

I’m not a typical tourist – and did not go in search of specific tourist sights – but rather just shot what I saw as I spent time with friends in the city…

Previously I blogged about the city’s train station, and some things I learnt in Belgium.

First World War “Allied” memorial and Église du Sacré-Cœur in Cointe.

Car and garage door

Inside “La Cathédrale Saint Paul de Liège”. The crucifix dates to 1813.

Lunchtime at the feet of “La Vierge à l’Enfant” fountain by Jean Delcour: Rue Cathédrale.

Typical building in town – Rue Leopold

The Perron on the Place du Marché – symbol of the city.

Opéra royal de Wallonie, with the statue of Belgian composer André Grétry out front. A macabre little fact is that the composer’s heart is housed in the statue’s pedestal…

Le Bistrot d’en Face in the “Hors-Chateau” part of town

The 400-step stairway “Montagne de Bueren”, which we dubbed “The Steps of Hell” when I lived in the city as a teenager.

Stella Artois – Famous Flemish beer

In town – in front of the “Hush Up” concept store in Rue Cathédrale.

Tired bus passenger heading home.

Different perspective: Music-listening student in bus

Alongside the Oerthe river

“Tisanerie” – a little play on words from the apartment’s occupant.

Religion was big in this city once. Circa 1730s

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