Monuments, one strange, the other funny, all attracting attention. Once dwarf and once giant. These monuments prove that it does not always have to be lofty, serious, to be interesting.
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Charming little houses, miniature houses squeezed between large blocks of flats, add color to the surroundings, attract the eye. One would like to come in and see how everything fits there.
On the roadside of the Belgian highways there are many information banners presenting interesting cities and places worth visiting. This form of advertising, when on the banners are photos of monuments, nature, interesting places, more encourages tourists to visit the attractions, than an ordinary banner with the name of the city. After years of bad treatment to monuments in Belgium, which resulted was their destruction, for example: in Brussels old buildings were demolished to free up space for new buildings for EU offices, the approach changed and monuments were taken care of. Even if the interior of the building is being rebuilt, its façade is to remain intact. Steel constructions protecting the front wall of the renovated old building are quite often found.
Sometimes, however, officials decide that a magnificent historic building should be demolished to show the beauty of modern architecture. This has been the case recently in Liege. Near the interesting, historic building a beautiful modern skyscraper of the Ministry of Finance was built, and two hundred meters further a wonderful station designed by Santiago Calatrava. The demolished building simply blocked the view on the magnificent station, so it had to disappear, despite protests of residents and court cases planned to block the demolition. Is the destruction of a historic building to make a direct view of the beautiful railway station a barbarity? Everyone must answer himself. I would like to add to the protection of officials that this building was only one hundred years old, so they probably thought when deciding, what is a hundred years compared to eternity.
Work began in 1901 year. After three years, the pagoda was ready. 6 May 1905 year it was inaugurated. In 1909 year, the king abandoned the idea of creating a museum here, and the building was entrusted The Ministry of Foreign Affairs . Until the First World War it was open to the public. In the year 1922 he was assigned Ministry of Arts and Sciences . In the 1947 year, the building was closed to visitors. The building was closed until 1989 year that it was again made available to a wide audience. Japanese pagoda collected exhibits on Japanese culture and art. A garden in the same style was set up around the building. Chinese pavilion
Alexander Marcel also designed Chinese pavilion . In the King's assumption, it was to be a luxury restaurant for entrepreneurs who wanted to establish trade relations with China. Construction work began in the 1903 year, but construction was halted after two years. Only in the year 1909 resumed construction of the building. The work was completed in 1913 year. The pavilion owes its exterior appearance to panels imported from Shanghai. In the 1921 year, the leadership of the pavilion was entrusted Royal Museum of Art and History . It has collected a wonderful collection of Chinese porcelain over the years.
Comics
Belgium is a country with countless comics creators and titles. Store shelves bend under multi-volume publishing. Most popular comics have even a few dozen volumes in hard covers, which fill the home bookshelves of Belgian children. Belgians from an early age read with passion of comics. Some of them are known around the world. Smurfs, Tin Tin, and Lucky Luke are just a few of the hundreds of titles that both children and adults know. The first two have even realized film versions, produced by great artists from the USA. Which comic is your favorite: cute Smurfs, young detective TIN TIN, and maybe the sheriff of the Wild West Lucky Luke? Sometimes ordinary streets can become an interesting tourist attraction of the city. It is enough to take care of such places. Open a tiny restaurant, a small pub, plant flowers. Hidden behind the gate, often at a crowded street, they become an oasis of peace, a place of rest for a tourist rushing from the monument to the monument. It is not easy to find them, sometimes you need a lot of time. However, it is really worth coming to these charming places. ZNany tylko bogu-known unto god
The Menin Gate Memorial in Ieper makes a huge impression. Monument in honor of several tens of thousands of British soldiers and the British community (except for soldiers from New Zealand who have their own monument). Inside, on the walls, were engraved the names of 54.389 officers and soldiers who died in Ypres before 16 August 1917, whose graves were never found. Also a magnificent monument, in the form of a five-pointed star, built near Bastogne, on the Mardasson hill, to commemorate the tens of thousands of American soldiers who died during the bloody battles in the Ardennes during World War II, is a great example of memory and homage to the fallen heroes.
Of course, unique historic buildings will defend themselves (tourists will visit them anyway), but will not they be more beautiful if decorated with flowers?
Foreigners traveling, without navigation, a Belgian motorway may sometimes feel slightly confused. This is due to the bilingualism of Belgium, which also enters the motorway. It would seem that in this case the information boards will represent the names of the locality in two languages. This is not a norm, however, so if you are traveling to Bergen and you reach Mons, then you are in the spot. Do not think about it too long, in Belgium sometimes it is, start to explore !.
Flemish name French name Koksijde ---- Coxyde Veurne ---- Furne Ieper ---- Ypres Kortrijk ---- Courtrai Nijvel ---- Nivelles Namen ---- Namur Aat ---- Ath Antwerpen ---- Anvers Tienen ---- Tirlemont Luik ---- Liège Doornik ---- Tournai Bergen ---- Mons If some drivers going to Antwerpen, seeing an information board with the name Anvers, would surmise that they are still going in the right direction, i am not sure that they would knows that Doornik is Tournai, Bergen is Mons and Rijsel is Lille (in the latter case sometimes I saw bilingual boards). Over the centuries, the church, next to the royal courts, was the greatest patron of art. It influenced the kind of work created by painters or sculptors, who used their biblical and religious themes in their work.
The period of the splendor of Flemish painting originated, in the fifteenth century, the brothers van Eyck. It lasted 300 years. At that time, artists such as Petrus Christus, Hieronymus Bosch, Hans Memling, Pieter Bruegel, Jackob Jordaens, Anton van Dyck and the greatest of them, Peter Paul Rubens, formed on these lands. The devastating power of religious wars, the activity of iconoclasts cruelly destroying everything related to religious worship, greatly depleted the resources of works of art. Fortunately, many of the works created by the masters of the past have survived to this day. In Antwerp, the work of these excellent painters can be admired in the churches. Peter Paul Rubens has a special place here. An excellent artist, one of the greatest individuals in Flemish painting. Stop I The Cathedral of Our Lady is one of the most magnificent Gothic churches in Belgium. Particularly impressive is its interior with 125 columns, 128 windows (55 stained glass windows), north tower and south tower, octagonal lighthouse at the intersection of nave and transept, chorus, ambit and 11 chapels-These numbers give you an idea of how powerful this building is. In the church there are innumerable excellent sculptures and paintings. But they all remain in the shadow of Rubens' wonderful work. We will find 5 masterpieces master from Antwerp. Two wonderful triptychs, raising the cross and The descent from the cross With impressive dimensions, it is the culmination of Rubens' genius. This is the best place to start wandering in the footsteps of this most prominent Flemish artist.
Stop II
Church of St. Paul. This magnificent temple, after centuries of destruction, finally regained its splendor. Beautiful interior and countless works of art, created by the world famous masters, attract invariably crowds of tourists. The church of St. Paul is said to be a baroque gem in a Gothic chest. Great baroque furniture perfectly fits into the gothic interior. Here, surrounded by countless works of art, we find three paintings by Rubens: lashing, painting from the series depicting the mysteries of the Holy Rosary, The adoration of the shepherds (1609) and part of the altar of Soeten Naem Dispute on the Holy Sacrament , painted about 1609 year.
Stop III
Church of St. Charles Borromeo is Temple a in which Rubens played the greatest role as painter, decorator and architect from all the places of worship in Antwerp. Its influence is visible on the tower, the facade and the main altar.
This typical Baroque church was built by the Jesuits in 1615-1621. Unfortunately 39 paintings on the ceiling made by his studio and most of his marble work destroyed fire in 1718 years. Fortunately, survived the apse of the main altar, the chapel of Mary and many sculptures that testify to the church's past glory.
Stop IV
Sculptures adorn the tombs of his daughter and wife. The chapel at Rubens' resting place was completed five years after his death. Its sponsor was Helena Fourment, Rubens's second wife. Stop V
Rubens House is a beautiful building in the center of Antwerp. Here lived and made this great artist. Many paintings in the museum were painted personally. The task of the museum is not only to show the collection of paintings, but first of all to bring visitors closer to how lived and worked this painting master.
On 15 August, the streets of the Liege district, Outremeuse, are undergoing a procession with a black Madonna figure. It goes from the church st. Nicholas. On the same day there is also a festival in which the thousands of participants, dressed in various dresses of the period, pass through the streets. The main attraction of this festival is the huge form of Tchantches and Nanesse. Although both ceremonies, church and secular, take place on the same date, they do not collide, but on the contrary, both have become one of the most important events in Liege. On a few days of street festivities, which begin the processions of 15 August, approximately 300 thousands of tourists from all over the world take part annually. Liege is also a city in which we have quite a lot of Polonia. These are the descendants of our countrymen who emigrated here from Poland before and after the Second World War. They celebrate the memory of Poland to this day, meeting at Holy Mass on the occasion of the feast of 15 August. Celebrations of this Polish festival take place in the church on Cointe. The priest is presided over by Oblat Heller, who has been a pastor of Poles in Liege for twenty years. Always after the Mass, the Polonia flowers at the monument dedicated to Polish soldiers killed on the fronts of World War II. LIEGE-Church of Sts. Mark-Feast of Corpus Christi
Feast of Corpus Christi - The revelation of Blessed Julianne of Cornillon, who had the sight of a shining shield with a dark patch, was interpreted as a sign of the lack of a special day dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament in the liturgical calendar. Under the influence of these apparitions, Bishop Liege Robert of Thourotte established a feast in Liege in Liege. For the first time they were celebrated in the same year in the church of Sts. Martin in Liege. In 1 year, Pope Urban IV introduced them as the Festus Corporis Christi in the whole church.
Before the half-century, despite the 700 -year tradition, the organization of the Corpus Christi procession was abandoned. In the year 2014 there was a return to this tradition. This was done in the jubilee year since the Pope Urban IV extended this feast for the whole universal Church. The centuries ago, the procession was very festive. Her route led among others on the river Maze. The Blessed Sacrament was on the barge. On both sides of the river there were thousands of believers. Today's procession is much more modest. It crosses the city center, near the church of the Blessed Sacrament, which is the main center of Eucharistic worship in Liege. The city, which after First World War hecatomb, rose from his knees. Almost completely grounded, after about 20 years of arduous reconstruction, has regained its former glory. Faithful reconstruction of the city was not so obvious at all. The proponents of the two concepts argued against this. The second was the construction of a completely new city. Fortunately, the concept of historical reconstruction prevailed. The rebuilding of the Cloth Hall was started in 1928. The work was led by architect Jules Coomans. In the 1934 year, the western wing and the tower of the Cloth Hall were reconstructed. Jules Coomans died in 1937 a year, before the end of the reconstruction of the western wing. Continuing his work was led by PA Pawuwels.
Today Ieper is a small town in western Belgium. It bears the name of the City of Peace and maintains close relations with the Japanese Hiroshima, which was also tragically experienced by the war. Ieper is also the site important for thousands of world war enthusiasts who visit the cementeries where buried of hundreds of thousands of soldiers killed in bloody battles for Ieper. In the vicinity of the city they can visit about 156 cemeteries, which are proof of the horrors of war.
This city is also an example of the incredible spirit of the inhabitants who restored its historical appearance to the next generations. The hecatomb of Ypres during the First World War is also reminiscent monument of victims of the First World War near the Cloth Hall and above all the monumental Menina Gate Memorial. A statue in honor of the British and the British commonwealth soldiers. On the walls of this monument engraved the names 54.389 of officers and soldiers whose graves were never found.
The two most beautiful railway stations in Belgium are in Antwerp and Liege. They share many, the era, the style, the material from which they were built. What connects them is the undoubted artistry of architects who have been able to create unique shapes that are reminiscent of the memory, giving their works world renown.
The building at the Queen's Square Astrid, called by the inhabitants railway of the cathedral, is a pearl of antwerp architecture. This original building, built by the great Bruges architect Louis Delacenserie, was built in the 1895-1905 years. At the request of King Leopold II, the architect inspired the train station in Lucerne and the Pantheon in Rome, so we can not speak of one architectural style, but rather an eclectic mix of styles that allowed to create this magnificent building. Its interior is adorned with over twenty different types of marble and stone. The main hall is more like a palace, not the interior of the railway station.
Summit The huge dome rises to a height of 75 meters. Of the eight smaller towers, six were demolished in the 1950s. Fortunately, they were reconstructed in 2009, with a clock, Antwerp coat of arms and large lion statues. For tourists visiting Antwerp this is a compulsory place.
The splendid train station in Liege impresses with its futuristic shape. Construction of the train station, which was opened 18 September 2009 year-round station, began in 1996. The project was entrusted to one of the greatest architects in the world, Santiago Calatrava. Its aim was to create a train station for the 21st century.
The base for this colossus is 39 steel arches. The train station handles 36 thousands of passengers a day. The cost of this gigantic investment amounted to about 300 million euros. The
BEGUINAGES HOMES OF THE CLOSED BEGUINES COMMUNITY Beuginages were produced during the Crusade, when many men did not return from the expedition. They were a kind of city in the city. They had their own bakery, a brewery, a nursing home or a church. Beguinage was managed by so-called. Grand Mistress, who organized the everyday life of the beguines. Beguines often consisted of production lances or teaching. They had much in common with the religious sisters. Like they lived in a closed community, they vowed obedience, but not poverty. They sacrificed their lives to God without making religious vows.
BEGUINAGE IN LEUVEN BEGUINAGE IN KORTRIJK BEGUINAGE IN GHENT Rich and aristocratic families of beginners could build their own home in the beguinage or buy it. The poorer beguines rented rooms in such homes and often became service workers. They could also live in the so-called. Convents, built for the money of rich sponsors. Beguines living here were supposed to pray for the donor or his family. Poorer beguines have to work to maintain themselves. Men's beguines equivalents were beghards. However, they prevalence much less often.
Over the centuries, the beguines situation has changed. They had to face many dangers. They came from iconoclasts, then Calvinist governments in Ghent, and the French Revolution. Also the Catholic Church did not always look favorably on the phenomenon of beguines. However, despite these adversities survived several hundred years. The last beguines lived beguinages at the end of the 20th century. Today in beguinages live nuns, as it is in Bruges, or the students in the case of Leuven, and ordinary people.
BEGUINAGE IN ANTWERP BEGUINAGE IN LIER BEGUINAGE IN BRUGES BEGUINAGE IN OUDENAARDE BEGUINAGE IN DIEST BEGUINAGE IN MECHELEN BEGUINAGE IN SINT-TRUIDEN There are currently 23 beguinages in Belgium, 13 of which are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They are built in the style typical of the Flemish cultural region and are a valuable testimony to the tradition of the beguines, which developed in the Middle Ages in Northwestern Europe.
Strolling along the narrow alleys of the beguinage is a real pleasure. Silence and seclusion allow you to unwind from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can see the wonderful architecture and feel the magic of these unique places. For many, it will also be the first time they will hear about the beguinagess and the beguines living there. Stalls-sacral architecture in wood or stone bench clergy, adjustable presbyteries churches (mainly collective and convent) and cathedrals. Places are separated by walls, also they have a high backrest, often stretched over the stalls a canopy and in front of the seats cased kneelers. Stalls spread in the Gothic period (from the thirteenth century.). They were created in the finest Baroque. It is characterized by impressive decorative form. In Belgium, they are still preserved in many churches stalls created by the masters of his time, such as Peeter Verbruggen I. Being the great work of stalls and confessionals can admire the beautiful church of St. Paul in Antwerp. This temple is a sacred art mine. Here you can admire the stunning furniture equipment which are part of the church, richly carved choir stalls, confessionals, beautiful altars and paintings by artists such as Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, Jacques Jordanes and many other masters of the paintbrush. This wealth of sacred art in churches located in Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent is a natural thing, because the artists of recognized names today, who are the authors of these works, lived and worked in this area. Of course, over the centuries many great examples of sacred art at the highest level have been irretrievably destroyed by actions iconoclasts and of the French Revolution and the subsequent progressive secularization of Belgium, which led to the closing of churches and their slow destruction. Fortunately, in recent times, particularly in Flanders, the most important temples, and found in them a work of art, are subjected to continuous renovation. Worse things are in Walloon. An example of which can be great over a thousand years of collegiate St. Cross of Liege, which for twenty years wasting away for lack of money for repairs. Equally glaring example is the monumental symbol of the Liege Church of St. Heart of the Coint closed and decaying for years. Unfortunately, these churches despite its undeniable beauty and historical assets not hide many valuable works of art, so there is no idea what to do with them.
Over the centuries, one of the greatest patrons of the arts was the Catholic Church. On his order they created the most distinguished artists. Despite the anti-Christian turmoil that swept through Europe, such as riots or iconoclasts French Revolution, today we can admire in the many churches the great sculptures, paintings, robes, and liturgical vessels. They represent sacred art. One of the finest examples of stained-glass windows. Real paintings on glass. Often they are having the character of not only religious but also secular. You can watch them in addition to the biblical scenes and coats of arms of donors as important to the city or country. These great works of art are often hundreds of years. Belgians drink for pleasure, for companionship, not to get drunk. Drinking beer is one of the passions of the Belgians. Especially it is practiced in coffee shops, pubs, a group of friends. At the beginning of the twentieth century in the country, there were more than 3000 breweries, most of the towns and villages had their brew. Unfortunately, World War II brought about a significant decrease in the number of breweries. Currently, across the country produced approximately 500 different beers, which still is an impressive result. Most importantly, the amount goes for the quality. Belgian beers over the years have won awards around the world. Such as Gouden Carolus, brewed in Mechelen, four times winner of the prize for the best beer in the world or a Blanche de Namur, which won the award for best lager in the world.
Interference nr. 1
During the journey channels enamored of boats filled with tourists arrive built in the fifteenth century, locks fortified Rabot. The beauty of this interesting defensive structure breaks down large housing estate, located just behind the historic lock. They were built probably in the period when it is not tied too much importance to the protection of monuments and all the space around them. When taking photos, no matter how hard you try odious blocks are in a frame. Perhaps many will say that after all the inhabitants of Ghent have to live somewhere, but I ask, why here?. My aesthetic sense tells me that something is not right here, but I'm afraid to propose to the authorities of Ghent to unnecessary demolished buildings, because something seems to me that it could be considered that in this place do not need is the lock Rabot.
Interference nr. 2
While the issue sluice Rabot to the distant past, let us recognize reckless conduct, so much building in the historic center of the city, between the magnificent churches, town hall and cloth hall, something that according to the authors is a fine example of modern architecture, and in my opinion a simple interference in the historic area of the old city is pure scandal. This modern monster or as the will of the creator, multi-purpose pavilion, it is an example of how the authorities of Ghent do not care about the historical legacy of this wonderful medieval town.
The 2012, during my first visit to Ghent, I have witnessed the emergence of this monster. It occurred to me then thought, why build here something so ugly, but soon himself replied that it was for a while. It calmed me and I could venture further this wonderful city. In the 2014 during my next visit I realized how wrong I was. Monster further happened, because the government probably considered that the work of contemporary masters of architecture is to survive the next century. I would like to be well understood, I know that this building was built not just to annoy people, that this architecture can someone please, but you could still put it in another place. Interesting facts
Strolling the streets located a little further from the center, I came across two toilets. As far as the first, the dog I found a very interesting solution to help keep clean the streets of the city, it is for some people surprised me.
These toilets are not for me to answer. And it should be noted that their creators forgot about women, because it is the only solution for men. Qualities visually fragrances doubtful. The idea for the toilet failed. Well, unless I'm wrong and this is a shower or a mini bus stop ?. Returning to the city authorities, the renewed I must express my surprise, they acknowledged that, contrary to logic, that the creation of one of the streets adjacent to the town hall area graffiti is a good idea. If one of the works, probably the only one that adorned the walls, and not marred, it was interesting, it reflects the state of mind the rest of the decision makers, who gave permission for the existence of this dubious attractions.
In all fairness it must be admitted that not all residents of Ghent are happy with such a large tourist traffic. Some mind omnipresent noise and crowds of tourists, which appear in different ways, such as hanging banners with slogans expressing reluctance to tourists. Others hang on the walls of works that are probably scare the tourists. Personally, I understand the fatigue of some locals in Krakow know what crowds of tourists, but the conduct of the authorities of the city can not understand.
I did this until my Belgian colleague pointed out to me that not the French and Belgians invented french frise because no french fries and belgian fries. And so the logic meant that I now use the names of belgian fries, although probably no one understands. |