Namur
NAMUR
Namur was founded near the confluence of the rivers Meuse and Sambre. More precisely, the first settlement took place on the small plot of land exactly in-between the two rivers. This plot of land resembles a pig's head, hence the French name 'Grognon' (pig's head). A large, high and long rock situated between Meuse and Sambre served as an ideal outlook post from where the Meuse valley could be overlooked and controlled. During Roman times people settled on the left bank of the Sambre river. It became a busy center with a lot of blacksmiths and potters. Later, the first Christian churches were built in the small city. In the 10th century feudal power became important as was shown by the Donjon (fortified watchtower) that count Berengarius had constructed on top of the rock. During the 11th and 12th centuries the city continued to expand. New neighborhoods were created and finally, by the end of the 15th century, the last city wall was completed.
During the Spanish period of the Low Countries (16th-17th century) Namur became seat of one of the new bishoprics that had to serve as catholic strongholds to dam the flood of Calvinist influences. Philip II of Spain made Namur into an important military center from where he could fight Protestantism. He therefore also encouraged the creation of numerous religious orders that would turn Namur into a real catholic bastion. In the following centuries Namur suffered a lot from the conquering armies that wanted to lay their hands on the economically very important Low Countries. Armies that tried to go up north to try and take the Flemish cities Gent, Bruges, Brussels, Antwerp, etc..., always had to cross the river Meuse in the area of Namur. This is the reason why, although Namur is an old city, not many constructions from the past have survived well, because the city was destroyed time and again. Namur always had a military function, and therefore the industrial revolution of the 19th century overlooked the city. Even at the end of the 19th century nine impressive military strongholds that would play an important role during the First World War, were built.
Nowadays, Namur has gained considerably in importance. The city is now the political capital of Wallonia. Here are the seats of the Walloon government and the Walloon Parliament. Namur has a population of about 100.000 people.
HISTORIC BUILDINGS TO VISIT IN NAMUR
Although the foundation of the habitat around Namur goes back to Roman times, the monuments and buildings of the city are relatively young. Namur has often been destroyed. Because of its strategic position in the Meuse valley it served as a gateway to the Northern areas such as the county of Flanders (Gent, Bruges) and the Dukedom of Brabant (Brussels, Antwerp, Mechelen). However, despite the destructions, numerous and splendid pre-medieval and Roman artifacts and objects, as well as Medieval and Renaissance treasures can be seen in the different museums of Namur.
The oldest still existing church is the late-gothic St. John's church. The main prayer house, however, is the St. Alban's Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint Aubin). Built between 1751 and 1767 it clearly shows the Italian education of its architect Gaetano Pizzoni who came from Milan. Pizzoni had the cathedral constructed on the site of a former Romanesque church, of which only the tower has survived. In the cathedral is the grave with the heart of Don Juan of Austria, Spanish governor of the Netherlands who died in 1578. He conquered the Turks in the sea battle at Lepanto. His body lies buried in the Escorial in Madrid. Near the cathedral stands the Saint Loup church, the former Jesuit church of Namur, built during the 17th century. Twelve Dorian colons support the beautifully decorated ceiling of the church.
The Meat Hall, one of the most impressive monuments of Namur is situated directly on the bank of the river Sambre. The 'Halle al'chair' (meat hall) is the seat of one of the most important archeological museums of Wallonia. The building rests on a foundation of limestone. The materials used for the construction of the meat hall between 1588 and 1590 were brick and blue stone. Nearby, on the 'Place des Armes', the old St James tower (1385) watches over the city as Namur's belfry tower.
Namur in 1575
Namur along the rivers
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