SPA
The city in the province of Liège, situated in a charming valley that is part of the Ardennes, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belgium. A candidate for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Spa is part of the European Cultural Route of Historic Thermal Towns. The city is famous for its wonderful thermal baths, numerous natural mineral springs and its SPA mineral water, which is exported all over the world, while the nearby village of Francorchamps is home to the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, which hosts the annual Belgian F1 Grand Prix.
The origins of the resort, known as the Pearl of the Ardennes, came after the publication of a book on the healing properties of the Spa springs, written by Lymborth, Prince-Bishop of Liège. The peak of the resort's popularity was in the 17th and 18th centuries. Back then, famous writers, aristocrats, statesmen and monarchs came here. Spa became the center of the civilized world, as Emperor Joseph II called it the Café of Europe. In 1717, the Russian Tsar Peter the Great visited the spa, and news of the relief his ailing liver experienced quickly spread throughout Europe, bringing the spa great fame. In 1763, a casino was built for distinguished guests.
Pouhon Pierre Le Grand |
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It is one of the most representative buildings in the city. It was built in 1880, based on the design of the Brussels architect Victor Besmea. The building consists of an octagonal pavilion that shelters the main spring in the Spa, from which flows naturally carbonated water, containing a lot of salt and rich in iron.
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In 2012, the building underwent a complete renovation, designed by architect Leo Haesbroeck. Nowadays it houses a tourist information office. The building also houses the Livre d'Or de Spa, a painting by the artist Antoine Fontaine. On a nine-meter canvas, he depicted 92 famous figures who visited Spa.
Maison Charlier is a building that is the best example of the Art Nouveau style in Spa. It was built in 1902, according to the plans of the architect Gustave Charlier, for the industrialist from Liège, Victor Collard. In 1988, the building was added to the list of historical monuments.
Maison Charlier is a building that is the best example of the Art Nouveau style in Spa. It was built in 1902, according to the plans of the architect Gustave Charlier, for the industrialist from Liège, Victor Collard. In 1988, the building was added to the list of historical monuments.
City Hall
The building, built in the Louis XVI style between 1762 and 1768, initially housed a hotel, which was later converted into a fabric factory. In the early 19th century, it was bought by William Cockerill and became a private home. Later, a school operated here, and since 1941 it has housed the town hall. Opposite the main entrance is the Perron de Spa, a symbol of the independence granted to the city by the Prince-Bishop of Liege in 1594.
Pouhon Prince de Condé
The underground spring, discovered in 1863 by the pharmacist Schaltin, is distinguished by its high mineral content, obtained during the final part of the underground journey. The original building housing the spring dates back to the 19th century. Art exhibitions are held there throughout the year. The glass pyramid adjacent to the building was built in 1988, designed by architect Marcel Geenen.
Casino Spa
La Redoute de Spa, one of the first casinos in the world, was founded in 1763. According to regulars at the time, it was the most beautiful and best-kept casino in Europe. It had a ballroom, theater and game room. After several fires and government gaming bans in 1872 and 1902, the casino began to experience worse days. The old Redoute Casino was replaced by a new building, built between 1905 and 1908 by architect Alban Chambon. In 1908, a new ballroom and Kursaal hall were built.
Former thermal baths
Near the casino there is a historic building designed by Leon Suys. In the years 1868-2004 the city thermal baths were located here. The building, characterized by an eclectic style, has a magnificent entrance hall. The building's furnishings were so luxurious and innovative at the time that they were copied by many European thermal spas. Nowadays, the thermal baths have been moved to a modern center built on the Annette and Lubin hills.
The resort, designed by Liege architect Claude Strebelle, can be reached by cable car, opened in 2004. Even if we don't intend to use the thermal attractions, it is worth going to the top of the hill, which offers a wonderful panorama of the city. At the foot of the peak, at At the entrance to the cable car, there is the old fountain Aux Armes d'Austriche. The water flowing from it comes from the Marie-Henriette spring.
Park de Sept Heures
In the park next to the hill there is the Leopold II Gallery, opened in 1878. The two pavilions, whose roofs are supported by hundreds of iron columns, were typical structures in 19th-century thermal towns. They were used for parties and games. The buildings are included on the List of Special Heritage Sites of Wallonia. The park also features several interesting monuments, a small laundry museum, and a mini golf course.
Spa Museum
In 1895, the building became the residence of Queen Marie-Henriette, who stayed here until her death in 1902. The residence consists of three independent buildings with a classic design. The largest of them houses the Spa Museum. On the ground floor there is a rich collection of painted wooden chests. Temporary exhibitions are held on the first floor. The building on the right houses the Municipal Court. Near the museum there is a monument to Marshal Foch. Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces during World War I. The next war monument stands at Place Du Monument. The monument was created by the architect Flagothier in 1921.
Church of St. Remaclusa |
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The temple was built in 1885, according to designed by the architect Charpentier, in the Rhenish-Romanesque style. On September 22, 1902, the funeral of Queen Marie-Henriette of Belgium took place here. The main altar, the lectern and the altars in the chapels are the work of the Antwerp sculptor Peter Peeters. In the central nave there are six beautiful wooden sculptures, dating from 1750-1751, created by the Liege sculptor Guillaume Evrard.
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Address:
Rue Xhrouet 2 4900 Spa |
Opening hours:
Monday-Sunday: 8.30-18.30 |
Fare:
for free |
About 300 meters from the church is the Waux-Hall building, built in 1770, according to the design of the Liege architect Jacques-Barthelemy Renoz. It then became a competitor to the Casino La Redoute, established in 1763. A third competing casino was built in 1785. Near the church you can also admire a beautiful fountain with sculptures.
