Huy (Dutch Hoei)
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is a small town in east-central Belgium, situated in a picturesque bend of the Meuse River. Due to its rich past, which makes it one of the oldest cities in Belgium, Huy is an important point on the tourist map of Wallonia. There are Gothic churches, Renaissance houses, a town hall, and a massive 19th-century fortress towering over the city.
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In 1066, the people of Huy received the Charter of Liberties, the first north of the Alps
The first settlement was founded during the Roman Empire, as a fort on the right bank of the Meuse River. In the 6th century, the villagers were evangelized by Saint Domitian, Bishop of Tongeren-Mastricht, who was elected the first patron saint of the town. From the 9th to the 11th century, Huy was one of the most prosperous cities on the Meuse. Its flourishing economy was based on metallurgy, tanning, carving, carpentry and winemaking.
Huy market square.
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Fortress of Huy.
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Huy.
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In 890, Huy first appears in official documents thanks to its medieval fortress, Tchestia. In 943, Otto I, King of Germany, granted the city the status of a county. In 985, Huy became part of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège for over eight centuries. In 1066, the inhabitants received a Charter of Liberties from the Prince-Bishop of Liège-Theoudin, the first north of the Alps.
Fortress of Huy.
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Huy market square.
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Huy.
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In the 12th and 13th centuries, the basis of Huy's economy was clothmaking. Due to its strategic location on the Meuse, the city was an arena of conflicts between France, Germany, the Netherlands and the Duchy of Burgundy. One of the most spectacular events was the siege of the city in 1689, during which about eight hundred houses were destroyed. In 1715, residents frustrated by the constant fighting demolished Tchestia Castle. In 1818, by order of William I, King of the Netherlands, a new fort was built, which became the scene of heavy fighting during both World Wars.
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Collegiate Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
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Over the centuries, several churches existed on the site of today's collegiate church. Starting with the fourth-century wooden sanctuary dedicated to Saint Materne. In the 5th century the sanctuary of St. was built. Agricole. In the year 558, Saint was buried in the city. Domitian, Bishop of Tongeren, who was proclaimed the first patron saint of the city.
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In later years, churches were rebuilt after massive fires. In 1060, the bishop-prince of Liege, Theodwin, reconstructed the destroyed temple. This time, however, the church was built of stone, in the Romanesque style. In 1066, in gratitude for their help in expanding the temple, Bishop Theodwin granted the inhabitants of Huy a Charter of Liberties, the first north of the Alps. To this day, a crypt from that church can be found under the collegiate church. In 1311, the reconstruction of the church in the Gothic style began, which slowly began to replace the Romanesque parts of the temple. In 1377 the choir was consecrated, followed by the transept and the great western tower.
The date 1523 is inscribed on the choir vault. The word Rode was added to it between two crossed swords. It recalls the Christian world during the heroic defense of the Rhodes Islands, besieged by the Turks. The date 1536 placed on the vault, close to the tower, is the date of completion of construction. The date in the transept, near the choir, 1810, is the date of the restoration of the vault.
The internal dimensions of the temple are: 72 m long, 22.35 m wide in the transept, 9.5 m between columns in the main nave and 22 m high vault.
The so-called Rondia rose window in the massive west tower is impressive in its dimensions: 6 meters internal diameter and 9 meters external diameter. This is the largest Gothic rose window in Wallonia.
The three slender windows in the apse rise to a height of 20 meters, their stained glass representing the mysteries of the Holy Rosary. A painted ceiling is rare in Gothic churches. The fourteen stained glass windows in the lower parts represent the places where Jesus rested on the way to Golgotha. Like the stained glass windows in the southern part of the transept, they were made in the years 1872-1878. The large rose window, destroyed during the bombings of 1944, has been restored in a more modern style.
The internal dimensions of the temple are: 72 m long, 22.35 m wide in the transept, 9.5 m between columns in the main nave and 22 m high vault.
The so-called Rondia rose window in the massive west tower is impressive in its dimensions: 6 meters internal diameter and 9 meters external diameter. This is the largest Gothic rose window in Wallonia.
The three slender windows in the apse rise to a height of 20 meters, their stained glass representing the mysteries of the Holy Rosary. A painted ceiling is rare in Gothic churches. The fourteen stained glass windows in the lower parts represent the places where Jesus rested on the way to Golgotha. Like the stained glass windows in the southern part of the transept, they were made in the years 1872-1878. The large rose window, destroyed during the bombings of 1944, has been restored in a more modern style.
The collegiate church has three towers. The western one, the so-called Westbau, with a massive rose window, rises to a height of 48 meters. In the north tower there is a carillon with 49 bells, one of the most magnificent in Wallonia. At the back of the church, attached to one of the towers, stands the Bethlehem Gate. The portal was built around 1340, in the shape of a tympanum. Placed above a pointed arch, decorated with a canopy and figures. The two later pointed arches surrounding the portal were added in 1889-1890. Two arched sections divide the tympanum. Below on the left, the Virgin lying and holding the Child in her arms. At the top on the left are the shepherds, below on the right is adoration, at the top in the middle is the massacre of the innocents.
The main treasures of the collegiate church are four relics: St. Mengold, Saint Domitian, the relic of the virgin from 1265 and the relic of St. Mark from around 1200. Enameled medallion tree of life (1160-1170), silver tableware from Huy and Liege and numerous sculptures and paintings.
The main treasures of the collegiate church are four relics: St. Mengold, Saint Domitian, the relic of the virgin from 1265 and the relic of St. Mark from around 1200. Enameled medallion tree of life (1160-1170), silver tableware from Huy and Liege and numerous sculptures and paintings.
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Address:
Rue de la Collegiale 4500 Huy |
Opening hours:
Tuesday-Sunday 10.00-12.00 and 13.00-18.00 (December-April until 16.00) |
Fare:
church: free treasury: 3 Euro |
Citadel
Built by the Dutch in 1818-1823, on the site of the Tchestia castle that existed here until the 18th century. From May 1940 to September 1944, the Germans organized a detention camp here, where about 7,000 prisoners were held. Today, the citadel is a memorial dedicated to World War II and proof of the existence of German concentration camps.
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Address:
rue Vankeerberghen 20 4500 Huy |
Opening hours:
Monday-Sunday 10.00-17.00 |
Price:
3 euros |
Main Square full of charming restaurants and cafes is located in the center of Huy. The city's main monuments are located around the square. The town hall, dating from 1766, was built in the traditional style of the Liège region, and the Bassinia fountain (1406) is one of the wonders of Huy. Right behind the town hall there is the desacralized church of St. Mengold, created in the 12th century.
Of the four wonders of Huy, only two have survived: the 15th-century Li Bassinia fountain and the rose window in the Collegiate Church of Our Lady. Other wonders include the bridge over the Meuse (Li Pontia), destroyed during World War II, and the Tchestia castle, which was demolished by the inhabitants. Other interesting monuments include the former Franciscan monastery (now home to the municipal museum) and the oldest building in the city, Maison Pres la Tour.
Every seven years (most recently on August 15, 2012), a religious procession is organised in the city to commemorate the end of the drought that hit Huy in 1656.
Of the four wonders of Huy, only two have survived: the 15th-century Li Bassinia fountain and the rose window in the Collegiate Church of Our Lady. Other wonders include the bridge over the Meuse (Li Pontia), destroyed during World War II, and the Tchestia castle, which was demolished by the inhabitants. Other interesting monuments include the former Franciscan monastery (now home to the municipal museum) and the oldest building in the city, Maison Pres la Tour.
Every seven years (most recently on August 15, 2012), a religious procession is organised in the city to commemorate the end of the drought that hit Huy in 1656.
