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Dinant |
is a historic city located in a beautiful area, between the stone cliffs and the Meuse river. This is a very important point on the tourist map of Wallonia. Above the city buildings, on the banks of the Meuse, there is a magnificent church with an onion-shaped dome. Another equally popular monument among tourists is the citadel standing on the top of the cliff. Rock climbing enthusiasts come here for the magnificent cliff. In summer, especially on weekends, cruise ships, kayaks and pedal boats float on the river.
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The city is one of the favorite places among fans of day trips. One of the most recognizable tourist attractions in the city center is the Church of the Virgin Mary.
Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary
In the place where the current temple stands, a Romanesque-style church was built in the years 1000-1200. When in 1227 a part of the rock that broke off the cliff behind the church destroyed the tower, the church was partially rebuilt in the Gothic style. The reconstruction lasted until the fourteenth century. This new construction is still the dominant style in the presbytery and in the southern part of the transept.
In the year 1466, the Duke of Burgundy, Filip Good, and his son, Karol Brave, punished the inhabitants of Dinant by setting fire in the city. The reason for this revenge was the uprising that the inhabitants initiated. About 800 of them were thrown into the Meuse river, and part of the church of the Virgin Mary was destroyed. After a few years, residents began to rebuild the church in a slightly changed style. The baptistery placed in the baptistery became a symbol of a new beginning and rebirth.
In the year 1466, the Duke of Burgundy, Filip Good, and his son, Karol Brave, punished the inhabitants of Dinant by setting fire in the city. The reason for this revenge was the uprising that the inhabitants initiated. About 800 of them were thrown into the Meuse river, and part of the church of the Virgin Mary was destroyed. After a few years, residents began to rebuild the church in a slightly changed style. The baptistery placed in the baptistery became a symbol of a new beginning and rebirth.
Originally, the Church should have two majestic towers. Ultimately, however, this plan was not implemented, and the church was topped with one 68-meter, onion-shaped tower, located above the main entrance. Initially, this strange structure was to crown the house of city councilors, but it turned out to be too heavy, so it was decided that it would be at the top of the collegiate church.
Inside the temple there are interesting dinanderies (decorative brass objects made in the Dinant area). In the late Middle Ages, Dinant became a center for the production of copper objects. Many religious objects in the Churches of the Meuse Valley come from Dinant.
The altar is part of an important renovation of the collegiate church from the second half of the 19th century, which aimed to give it its original, Gothic character. The whole is inspired by carved altars in Brabant in the 15th and 16th centuries.
The collegiate treasure is also a wonderful reliquary hiding the remains of the patron of the city of Saint Perpetus. Until the 1960s, the reliquary was carried along the streets of Dinant in a procession held on 15 August. The collegiate church also has one of Europe's largest neo-Gothic stained glass windows depicting the history of salvation. Gustave Ladon, an artist from Ghent, created this work in the year 1903, in the style of thirteenth-century Gothic stained glass.
Every Sunday, from June to August, an organ concert takes place here at 16.30.
Inside the temple there are interesting dinanderies (decorative brass objects made in the Dinant area). In the late Middle Ages, Dinant became a center for the production of copper objects. Many religious objects in the Churches of the Meuse Valley come from Dinant.
The altar is part of an important renovation of the collegiate church from the second half of the 19th century, which aimed to give it its original, Gothic character. The whole is inspired by carved altars in Brabant in the 15th and 16th centuries.
The collegiate treasure is also a wonderful reliquary hiding the remains of the patron of the city of Saint Perpetus. Until the 1960s, the reliquary was carried along the streets of Dinant in a procession held on 15 August. The collegiate church also has one of Europe's largest neo-Gothic stained glass windows depicting the history of salvation. Gustave Ladon, an artist from Ghent, created this work in the year 1903, in the style of thirteenth-century Gothic stained glass.
Every Sunday, from June to August, an organ concert takes place here at 16.30.
Citadel
Another very important monument is the powerful citadel, located above the church and dominating the entire city. It was built in the 11th century to control the Meuse Valley. In 1530 it was rebuilt and enlarged by Bishop Liege, who was the head of this area. In the year 1703, French soldiers destroyed it. Then in 1820 the Dutch soldiers rebuilt the citadel in the style of that time. During World War I the alcoves took place both inside and outside the fortress , she was bombed. In August 1914 a bayonet battle took place between French and German soldiers. In the same month, a massacre of 674 residents, shot by German soldiers, took place.
Today, the Citadel has a museum of weapons and history. FROM those who know here can learn about the history of Dinant over the centuries: from the destruction of the city by the troops of Charles the Brave in 1466, through the construction of city fortifications planned by Vauban, an excellent engineer and architect of Louis XIV, to more modern times, i.e. the year 1914, when the skirmish took place between the French and German troops and the massacre of 674 civilians, residents of Dinant, in August 1914. A young French lieutenant was wounded during one of the skirmishes with German soldiers. After the war, a new bridge in the center of Dinant was named after him. This is the CHARLES DE GAULLE bridge.
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Citadel opening hours: In the season: April-September: 10.00-18.00 every day (cable railway open). Off season: mid-October, November : 10.00-17.30 every day (cable railway open). Half. November-March: 10.00-16.30 Closed on Fridays (Cable railway open on weekends and school holidays) January: 10.00-16.30 on Saturdays, Sundays and school holidays (Cable railway open) |
We can get to the summit where the citadel is located by climbing the 408 stairs (dated 1577 year), or by taking the cable car built in 1956 a year. Both riding a cable car and climbing stairs will give us the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful panorama of Dinant. The citadel can also be reached by car. Behind the citadel is a large parking lot, with parking spaces for around 150 cars. In the fortress, in addition to learning about history, we can also spend a nice time in the restaurant, there is also a playground for children.
MUSEUM OF ADOLF SAX
Dinant, the city where Adolf Sax was born and lived for many years, obviously has a place dedicated to his memory. It is located in the building where the greatest resident of the city, the creator of the saxophone, was born on 6 November 1814. This is not a museum, but rather a substitute for it. In two small rooms the world of this great inventor, revolutionary musician and music teacher was presented. His technical achievements, amazing inventions, challenges he faced, successes, but also failures. During the visit you can meet the whole saxophone family. After the tour, you can catch your breath by sitting next to the figure of Adolf Sax on a bench in front of the building. About 20 meters away there is a statue of a saxophone. In the city you can see the sculptures of the saxophone in many places.
Antoine Joseph Sax (1814-1894) was a Belgian builder of musical instruments, best known as the inventor of the saxophone. Adolf (he used this name) Sax was born in Dinant, Belgium. He started creating his own instruments from an early age.
After leaving school, Sax began experimenting with creating new instruments. Adolf's first major success was the improvement of the bass clarinet construction, which until now has been a very non-tuned and uneven instrument.
After leaving school, Sax began experimenting with creating new instruments. Adolf's first major success was the improvement of the bass clarinet construction, which until now has been a very non-tuned and uneven instrument.
In 1841 he moved permanently to Paris. 12 June 1842 published an article in Paris's Journal des Debats in which its author, composer Hector Berlioz described in superlatives a new instrument created by Sax. The date of publication of the article is today considered the official date of the creation of the saxophone. Adolf Sax constructed alto, tenor and soprano. The scale of the first saxophone was seven sounds larger than the later models that Sax rebuilt due to the inferior sound capabilities of the highest sounds of the prototype. In 1846 year the first saxophone was patented. Adolf Sax died in Paris in 1894. He was buried at Cimetière de Montmartre.
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Address:
37 rue sax, 5500 dinant |
Opening hours:
monday-sunday 9.00-19.00 |
Ticket price:
Free entrance |
Leffe Beer Museum
On the opposite side of the river is Maison Leffe. A museum dedicated to the history of one of the most recognizable Belgian beers created by Trappists. The creation of this beer dates back to 1240 a year. During a visit to the museum, you can learn about the process of making Leffe beer, hear the life of Trappist monks, and at the end of the tour tasting of a local product takes place.
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Opening hours: From October 1 October to the weekend before Easter: Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 11.00 -18.00 From Easter to the end of September: Tue-Sun 11.00 -18.00 Ticket price: 7 Euro |
Address:
Maison Leffe23, Charreau des Capucins 5500 Dinant http://www.leffe.com/en |
ROCHER BAYARD
At the end of Rue Léopold, which is also an outlet street from the city, there is a rock called Rocher Bayard. This stone obelisk is 35 meters high. It bears the name of the legendary horse of Aymon's four sons, who, according to legend, fleeing on horse Bayard from Charlemagne jumped the river with one great leap. The hooves of a jumping horse split a stone obelisk from the rock. In fact, the passage was carved out of rock in 1698 a year.
The 1934, the King of Belgium Albert I died while climbing in the vicinity of Dinant.
Traditional cakes from Dinant
The amazing hardness of the Couque biscuits is the result of the high temperature (about 300 degrees Celsius) at which they are baked. You have to break off small pieces and then suck them like hard sweets.
Dinant residents give them to young children to help them strengthen their gums. Couque is made in 2 / 3 from wheat flour, and in 1 / 3 from honey.
The baker must always make sure that the dough does not burn. Couque is flat, has a golden color, often has the shape of an animal, or presents a drawing.
In the past, Couques were pressed in copper forms, of which Dinant was famous. Nowadays, bakers use wooden molds made of pear tree or walnut tree.
The appearance of the cakes is very important, which is why the baking molds in which they are pressed are like works of art, made with great precision.
According to legend, centuries ago, during the siege of the city by Charles the Brave, Prince of Burgundy, Couque saved many inhabitants from starvation. During this siege, the inhabitants ran out of stock, all that was left was wheat flour and honey, i.e. the ingredients of Couque.
Dinant residents give them to young children to help them strengthen their gums. Couque is made in 2 / 3 from wheat flour, and in 1 / 3 from honey.
The baker must always make sure that the dough does not burn. Couque is flat, has a golden color, often has the shape of an animal, or presents a drawing.
In the past, Couques were pressed in copper forms, of which Dinant was famous. Nowadays, bakers use wooden molds made of pear tree or walnut tree.
The appearance of the cakes is very important, which is why the baking molds in which they are pressed are like works of art, made with great precision.
According to legend, centuries ago, during the siege of the city by Charles the Brave, Prince of Burgundy, Couque saved many inhabitants from starvation. During this siege, the inhabitants ran out of stock, all that was left was wheat flour and honey, i.e. the ingredients of Couque.
Active recreation
Dinant not only gives the opportunity to visit historical places or admire the beautiful location of the city. There are also many restaurants and pubs where you can try Belgian and French cuisine, and drink Leffe beer brewed here for centuries, as well as many other types of Belgian beer.
Also, fans of active leisure will find something for themselves at Dinant. You can go kayaking on the Lesse River. You can choose between two distances 12 and 20 kilometers. The duration of the trip is 2,5 and 5 hours, respectively. You can also go on an electric draisine trip. There are three routes to choose from: 6, 8 and 12 km. Duration about 1,5 hours.
Also, fans of active leisure will find something for themselves at Dinant. You can go kayaking on the Lesse River. You can choose between two distances 12 and 20 kilometers. The duration of the trip is 2,5 and 5 hours, respectively. You can also go on an electric draisine trip. There are three routes to choose from: 6, 8 and 12 km. Duration about 1,5 hours.
