Belgium

Brugge, Belgium – is unique in the way it has maintained is authentic medieval atmosphere. It is dominated by 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th century buildings.

In the 9th century it was a landing stage for the Vikings. Local artisans fought the ruling French nobility successfully in the Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302, an event that has gone down in history as the Matins of Bruges. The leader of the artisans was Peter de Coninck. There is a monument to him and John Breydel in Market Square.

The 14th century was the Golden Age and the 15th continued as an era of splendor, fine arts and refinement. By the middle of the 19th century, however, Brugge was poverty stricken. Market Square is dominated by the Belfry which is an 83 meter high tower symbolizing the power and love of freedom of the burghers (citizens) of medieval Brugge (13th century).

 

 

 

 

 

La Roche en-Ardenne, built below ruin

La Roche is found on the banks of the River Ourthe in the Ardenne region of south-east Belgium. It is an area of magnificent forests and also the site of three major battles – the Battle of the Ardennes in World War 1, and the Battle of France and Battle of the Bulge in World War 2.

La Roche is often referred to as the Jewel of the Ardennes. On the hill overlooking the town the Romans built a fort. As Roman influence waned the area was invaded by the Franks, a Germanic people. Where the Roman fort once stood a Castle was built in the 9th century. By the 1700s the castle was abandoned and neglected and the ruins now dominate the town.

Nothing much of the town is left from before World War 2 during which it was bombed completely.

St. Hubert, a place of pilgrimage for people and dogs

Saint-Hubert, in the forested Belgian Ardennes area is the “capital of hunting and nature”. Saint Hubert is the Saint of Sportsmen and on St. Hubert’s day each year (November 3), hundreds of dogs converge on the Basilica to be sprinkled with Holy water. The foundation of the church dates back to 871. The oldest part of the building standing is the Norman style crypt dating from 1064. The facade was built in 1700 in the Baroque Style. The Baroque style is defined as a period of artistic style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, architecture, literature, dance, theater, and music.

Commonwealth Dead in Hotton

The British Expeditionary Force was involved in the later stages of the defence of Belgium following the German invasion in May 1940, and suffered many casualties in covering the withdrawal to Dunkirk. Commonwealth forces did not return until September 1944, but in the intervening years, many airmen were shot down or crashed in raids on strategic objectives in Belgium, or while returning from missions over Germany.

The village of Hotton was the western limit of the great German counter offensive in the Ardennes in January 1945. A great many of the burials in Hotton War Cemetery date from that time, although there are also some from May 1940.

The cemetery contains 666 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, 21 of them unidentified.

Dinant on the River Meuse

Dinant is a town that lies on the River Meuse towards the south of Belgium. Its position on the Meuse was strategically important which resulted in the town being pillaged by many invaders. The World War 1 Battle of Dinant saw Lieutenant Charles de Gaulle (the Paris international airport is named after him and he became president after the war) injured in his first battle. The Church of Notre Dam de Dinant was built in 1227. Falling rocks from the cliffs behind it destroyed the church and it was rebuild in its current Gothic style.

The Citadel de Dinant is a fortress built high on the cliffs behind the town. It was built in 1815 on the site of a fort built in 1051. The original fort was built as a result of raiding Danish Vikings.

Durbuy, World’s Smallest Town

 

 

 

 

 

This little gem of a Belgium town on the River Ourthe is described as the “world’s smallest”. Funnily enough it showcases the world’s largest topiary park ! Jam and Beer are made on site amongst the stone houses and cobbled streets which lend a distinctive Medieval flavor. Escape to the surrounding forests and let your imagination find fairies, goblins and elves amongst the ancient, muddy, mossy stones and weeping willows.