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Dinant |
is a historic town situated in a beautiful area, between 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, stands a magnificent church with an onion-shaped dome. Another equally popular monument is the citadel standing on top of the rock. Rock climbing enthusiasts come here for the magnificent cliff. During the summer, especially on weekends, excursion boats, kayaks and pedal boats sail on the river.
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Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary
In the place where the current temple stands, a church in the Romanesque style was built between 1000 and 1200. When a rock fell on the tower in 1227, the church was partially rebuilt in the Gothic style. Reconstruction lasted until the 14th century. This new construction is still the dominant style in the chancel and in the south transept.
In 1466, Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, and his son Charles the Brave punished the inhabitants of Dinant by setting fire to the city. The reason for this revenge was the uprising initiated by the inhabitants. About 800 of them were thrown into the Meuse River, and part of the Church of Our Lady was destroyed. After a few years, the reconstruction of the temple began in a slightly changed style. The baptismal font located in the baptistery became a symbol of a new beginning and rebirth.
In 1466, Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, and his son Charles the Brave punished the inhabitants of Dinant by setting fire to the city. The reason for this revenge was the uprising initiated by the inhabitants. About 800 of them were thrown into the Meuse River, and part of the Church of Our Lady was destroyed. After a few years, the reconstruction of the temple began in a slightly changed style. The baptismal font located in the baptistery became a symbol of a new beginning and rebirth.
Originally, the church should have had two majestic towers. Ultimately, however, this plan was not implemented, and the temple was crowned with a single 68-meter onion-shaped tower located above the main entrance. Initially, this strange structure was intended to crown the city councilors' house, but it proved too heavy, so it was placed on top of the collegiate church.
Inside the temple there are interesting dinanderie (decorative brass objects made in the Dinant area). In the late Middle Ages, Dinant became a centre for the production of copper objects.
The altar is part of an important renovation of the collegiate church from the second half of the 19th century, the aim of which was to give it its original Gothic character. The whole is inspired by altars carved in Brabant in the 15th and 16th centuries. The collegiate church's treasure is also a magnificent reliquary containing the remains of the city's patron saint, Saint Perpetus. Until the 1960s, the reliquary was carried through the streets of Dinant in a procession held on August 15. The collegiate church also has one of the largest neo-Gothic stained glass windows in Europe depicting the history of salvation. Gustave Ladon, an artist from Ghent, created this work in 1903 in the style of thirteenth-century Gothic stained glass. Every Sunday from June to August, an organ concert takes place here at 4:30 p.m.
Inside the temple there are interesting dinanderie (decorative brass objects made in the Dinant area). In the late Middle Ages, Dinant became a centre for the production of copper objects.
The altar is part of an important renovation of the collegiate church from the second half of the 19th century, the aim of which was to give it its original Gothic character. The whole is inspired by altars carved in Brabant in the 15th and 16th centuries. The collegiate church's treasure is also a magnificent reliquary containing the remains of the city's patron saint, Saint Perpetus. Until the 1960s, the reliquary was carried through the streets of Dinant in a procession held on August 15. The collegiate church also has one of the largest neo-Gothic stained glass windows in Europe depicting the history of salvation. Gustave Ladon, an artist from Ghent, created this work in 1903 in the style of thirteenth-century Gothic stained glass. Every Sunday from June to August, an organ concert takes place here at 4:30 p.m.
Citadel
Another very important monument is the massive citadel, situated 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 the Bishop of Liege, who was the superior of these areas. In 1703 it was destroyed by French soldiers. Then, in 1820, the Dutch army rebuilt the citadel in the style of the time. During World War I in Battles took place both inside and outside the fortress .
Today, the Citadel houses a museum of weapons and history. WITH Those in the know can discover 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 the city fortifications planned by Vauban, the great engineer and architect of Louis XIV, to more recent times, that is, the year 1914, when a skirmish between French and German troops took place and the massacre of 674 civilians, inhabitants of Dinant, in August 1914. During one of the skirmishes with German soldiers, a young French lieutenant, Charles de Gaulle, was wounded. After the war, a new bridge in the center of Dinant was named after him.
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Citadel opening hours: In season: April-September: 10.00-18.00 daily (cable car open). Off season: October-November 11: 10.00-17.30 every day (cable car open). November 11-March: 10.00-16.30 Closed on Fridays (cable car open on weekends and during school holidays) January: 10:00-16:30 on Saturdays, Sundays and school holidays (cable car open) |
We can get to the top, where the citadel is situated, by climbing 408 steps (dating back to 1577) or by taking a cable car ride built in 1956. Both the cable car ride and the staircase climb will give us the opportunity to admire the beautiful panorama of Dinant. The citadel can also be reached by car. There is a large parking lot for approximately 150 vehicles. In the fortress, apart from learning about its history, we can also spend a pleasant time in the restaurant, and there is also a playground for children.
Adolf Sax Museum
Dinant, the town where Adolf Sax was born and lived for many years, naturally has a place dedicated to his memory. It is located in the building where the most outstanding resident of the city, the creator of the saxophone, was born on November 6, 1814. It is not a museum, but rather a substitute for one. His technical achievements and amazing inventions were presented in two small rooms. After the tour, you can catch your breath sitting next to the statue of Adolf Sax on a bench in front of the building. About 20 meters away there is a saxophone monument.
Antoine Joseph Sax (1814-1894) was a Belgian musical instrument maker, best known as the inventor of the saxophone. Adolf (that was the name he used) Sax was born in Dinant, Belgium. He began creating his own instruments from an early age. Adolf's first important success was improving the construction of the bass clarinet, which until then had been a very out-of-tune and uneven-sounding instrument.
In 1841, he moved permanently to Paris. On June 12, 1842, the Parisian Journal des Debats published an article in which its author, composer Hector Berlioz, praised Sax's new instrument. The date of the article's publication is now considered the official date of the creation of the saxophone. Adolf Sax constructed the alto, tenor and soprano. The scale of the first saxophone was seven notes larger than the later models, which Sax rebuilt due to the poorer sound capabilities of the highest notes prototype. IN In 1846 the first saxophone was patented. Adolf Sax died in 1894 in Paris. He was buried at Cimetière de Montmartre.
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Address:
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Opening hours:
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Fare:
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37 Rue Sax, 5500 Dinant
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Monday-Sunday 9:00-19:00
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Free admission
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Leffe Beer Museum
On the opposite side of the river is Maison Leffe. A museum dedicated to the history of one of Belgium's most recognizable beers created by the Trappists. The origins of this beer date back to 1240. During a visit to the museum, you can learn about the process of brewing Leffe beer, hear about the life of Trappist monks, and at the end of the tour, you can taste the local product.
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Address:
Maison Leffe23, Charreau des Capucins 5500 Dinant |
Opening hours:
Monday -Sunday: 11.00-19.00 |
Fare:
12 euros http://www.leffe.com/en |
Traditional cookies from Dinant
The incredible hardness of Couque cookies is the result of the high temperature (approx. 300 degrees Celsius) at which they are baked. You have to break off small pieces and then suck them like hard candy. The people of Dinant give it to young children to help strengthen their gums. Couque is made of 2/3 wheat flour and 1/3 honey. The baker must constantly monitor the dough to ensure it does not burn. The couque is flat, golden in color, and often has the shape of an animal or depicts a drawing.
In the past, Couques were pressed in copper molds, for which Dinant was famous. Nowadays, bakers use wooden molds made from pear or walnut wood. The appearance of cookies is very important, which is why the baking tins 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, Duke of Burgundy, Couque saved many inhabitants from starvation. During this siege, the inhabitants ran out of supplies, the only things left were wheat flour and honey, the ingredients of Couque.
In the past, Couques were pressed in copper molds, for which Dinant was famous. Nowadays, bakers use wooden molds made from pear or walnut wood. The appearance of cookies is very important, which is why the baking tins 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, Duke of Burgundy, Couque saved many inhabitants from starvation. During this siege, the inhabitants ran out of supplies, the only things left were wheat flour and honey, the ingredients of Couque.
Rocher Bayard
At the end of Rue Léopold, which is the street leading out of the city, there is a rock called Rocher Bayard. This stone obelisk is 35 meters high. It is named after the legendary horse of the four sons of Haimon who, according to legend, while fleeing from Charlemagne (the French name for Charlemagne) on their horse Bayard, jumped the river in one giant leap. However, the hooves of the jumping horse chipped a stone obelisk from the rock. In fact, the passage was carved into the rock in 1698.
In 1934, King Albert I of Belgium died while climbing near Dinant.
Active recreation
Dinant offers more than just the opportunity to visit historical sites and admire the magnificent panorama of the city. There are also many restaurants and pubs where you can try Belgian and French cuisine and drink the centuries-old Leffe beer, as well as many other types of Belgian beer.
Fans of active recreation will also find something for themselves in Dinant. You can go kayaking on the Lesse River. There are two distances to choose from: 12 and 20 kilometers. The duration of the trip is 2.5 and 5 hours, respectively. You can also explore the area by bicycle trolley. You can choose from three routes: 6, 8 and 12 km. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours.
Fans of active recreation will also find something for themselves in Dinant. You can go kayaking on the Lesse River. There are two distances to choose from: 12 and 20 kilometers. The duration of the trip is 2.5 and 5 hours, respectively. You can also explore the area by bicycle trolley. You can choose from three routes: 6, 8 and 12 km. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours.