According to topschoolsintheusa, Verviers is an old industrial city in the Belgian Ardennes. The city owes its former wealth mainly to the Vesder. This river provided enough clean water, so that the textile industry in the city flourished in the nineteenth century. When you walk through the city, much of the old wealth of the city is still visible. However, you have to look closely as in many places these beautiful buildings are hidden behind a thick layer of dust or behind advertising billboards. Verviers has been undergoing a major refurbishment in recent decades and more and more beautiful buildings are emerging. If the city continues to develop in this way, it could very well become one of the most popular cities in the Belgian Ardennes.
Top 10 Things to Do in Verviers
#1. Touristic center of the Wool
The Center Touristique de la Laine et de la Mode or Touristic Center of the Wool you will find out everything that made the city of Verviers great. This is the wool industry. As the first city on the European mainland, the first large factory was built here. This marked the start of the industrial revolution in Belgium. In the museum you will learn more about fashion, clothing making and the history of Verviers. The museum is located in a former textile factory. A walking route through Verviers starts from the museum. During this walking route you will encounter all kinds of machines that were used in the wool and textile industry.
#2. City Hall of Verviers
The City Hall of Verviers is a beautiful building on the city’s market. The town hall is built in the Louis the Fourteenth style. The city’s slogan “Publicité, sauvegarde du peuple” adorns the facade of the town hall. This slogan was applied to the town hall after Belgium declared its independence from the Netherlands. The town hall has a small tower containing a carillon that strikes every fifteen minutes. Had town hall of Verviers is not open to the public but can be visited several times a year accompanied by a guide.
#3. House of water
The House of Water or Maison de l’eau is a former factory building where, in addition to the office du tourisme, there is also an exhibition about water. This, of course, because the city of Verviers has a long history with water. During the visual exhibition you will follow different routes that all tell you more about water. It also explains why the water is and was so important for Verviers but also for the rest of the Ardennes. The museum explains in various fun and unique ways why Verviers is the “Walloon Capital of Water”.
#4. Limbourg
The village of Limbourg is just seven kilometers from Verviers. This village belongs to Les Plus Beaux Villages of Wallonia. The village is hidden between the hills of Eupen, Malmedy and Verviers not far from the reservoir of La Gillepe. The village was once the capital of the Duchy of Limburg, but today it is a beautiful quiet village. The village consists of two parts, an Upper Limburg and a Lower Limburg. Upper Limburg is the most beautiful of the two. Over the centuries, the village has managed to retain its own character and today exudes the atmosphere of times long gone.
#5. Notre Dame des Récollets
Notre Dame des Récollets was built in the second half of the seventeenth century. The church has long been part of the convent that the Friars Minor Franciscans. This explains the strange layout of the church. In the porch of the church is a black Madonna and Child. This statue has become a popular place of pilgrimage thanks to the miracle of the Black Virgin. The image. According to legend, the position of the virgin and the child changed during an earthquake. Many residents of Verviers have seen this because they were taking shelter in the church.
#6. Banneux
Just thirteen kilometers from Verviers is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Belgium. Every year about 700,000 pilgrims come to the town to visit the place where “Mary of the Poor” showed herself to a little girl. A basilica was built in 1948 on the site of the apparition. Mass is held daily in this basilica for the many pilgrims. In 1985 Pope John II visited Banneux.
#7. Barrage de La Gileppe
Barrage de La Gileppe or the Gileppes dam is the oldest drinking water dam in Belgium. Today, the dam is also used as a hydroelectric power station. The Barrage de La Gileppe still supplies a large part of Belgium with fresh drinking water. Partly because of this, no recreation is possible on the reservoir. There is, however, plenty to do around the reservoir. There are several walking and cycling routes around the reservoir. A 77 meter high watchtower has been built on the dam from which you have a beautiful view over the lake and part of the Ardennes. The dam is guarded by a huge stone lion.
#8. The fountains of Verviers
Beautiful fountains have been built in the city of Verviers for many years. The oldest dates from the early eighteenth century and the youngest are only a few years old. The oldest fountain can be found in front of the town hall of Verviers. This is the platform of the city. This platform is here because Verviers used to be one of the good cities. Another beautiful old fountain is the Ortmans fountain. This fountain was built in honor of the mayor of the city. From the House of Water begins a walk that takes you past the various fountains and water features of the city.
#9. Musée des Beaux-Arts et de la Céramique
The Musée des Beaux-Arts et de la Céramique is now housed in the former hospital of Verviers. The museum houses one of the largest and most beautiful ceramic collections in Belgium. For example, there is an extensive collection of Chinese, Japanese and Saxe-Meissen porcelain. In addition, there are various porcelain objects from Delft and Brussels. In addition to porcelain, the museum also pays attention to the Belgian painting coast from almost all style periods.
#10. Grand Poste
The Grand Post is located in the historic center of Verviers. This building is the personification of the former wealth of Verviers. The building was built at the beginning of the last century and designed by the architect Alphonse van Houtte Gentse. The building exudes the old grandeur of the city. With its two large towers, the Grand Poste is an important part of the Verviers skyline. The large tower is eighty meters high and the small one fifty meters. From this tower you have a beautiful view over the city. Unfortunately, the building is not often open to the public.
