Historical centre (2/2): Near the cathedral

The Saint Paul’s church was founded under the episcopate of Eracle at the end of the 10th century. Its reconstruction in Gothic style commenced in the 13th century.At the end of the 16th century, almost the entire church was rebuilt, except for the cloisters, which were erected between the 15th and 16th century, as well as the tower. Indeed, the work on the tower commenced at the end of the 14th century, but it was still not complete when the Revolution of 1789 occurred.In 1803, with the cathedral of Notre-Dame-et-Saint- Lambert lying in ruins, the Saint Paul’s church was given the status of cathedral following the Concordate. It was shortly after this event that the bell tower was completed. Its shape is evocative of its counterpart on the now disappeared Cathedral of Notre-Dame-et- Saint-Lambert.The church boasts many remarkable works, including its 16th-century stained glass windows or also the magnificent Reclining Christ by Jean Del Cour dating from 1696. 

The interest of the cathedral is not limited to the church alone, the cloisters are also worth a visit. In addition to many tombstones, including those of former Prince-Bishops, it also houses the Treasure house of Liège. Thanks to its 200 works of art, this museum makes it possible to retrace almost 1000 years of religious art and to recount the history of the former episcopal principality of Liège. Among the many exhibits, the 15th century reliquary of Charles the Bold and the 16th century reliquary bust of St. Lambert must not be missed.

Founded in 1015, the Benedictine abbey of Saint James was one of the most illustrious abbeys in the principality of Liège. Having become a simple collegiate church in 1785, it was transformed into stables during the Revolution. The church was returned to worship following the Concordat of 1801. The imposing church is the principal remains of the former abbey, whose now disappeared cloister occupied the site of the neighbouring small park. The only Romanesque remains, the tower, built in the 11th century, is incomplete: the two towers that framed the small central part were dismantled in the 17th century after a heavy storm.With the exception of the portico, which dates from 1558 and bears the influence of the Italian Renaissance, the rest of the building was rebuilt between 1514 and 1538 in the Flamboyant Gothic style.More than 150 keystones and numerous sculpted elements, including the 24 faces that decorate the central nave, illustrate the richness and exuberance of this majestic style.Saint James is rightly described as one of the most beautiful churches in Belgium. In addition to its great architectural heritage, the church contains many remarkable works: opulently decorated stalls from the 14th century, a beautiful Madonna dating from 1523, elegant 16th century stained glass windows, a magnificent organ case from 1600, or also statues by the great Baroque artist Jean Del Cour, dating from the end of the 17th century.

The current building was built by Jean-Ernest de Surlet-Chokier at the start of the 18th century. It is made up of two wings separated by a chapel. To begin with, Vertbois was intended for the irremediable and for repentant girls. After the Revolution, the buildings were put to a variety of uses. In 1950, following the destruction of the Second World War, the left wing was completely rebuilt. Lastly, in the 1990s, the buildings were restored in order to house Walloon institutions.

Currently occupied by the Théâtre de Liège, this building was built for the Société libre d’Émulation, a learned society founded in 1779, under the reign of Prince-Bishop Velbrück, who is often presented as the enlightened prince of the principality of Liège. The initial building burned down during the tragic events of the night of 20th August 1914. Rebuilt in classical style during the 1930s, the façade includes many decorative elements, including bas-reliefs alluding to the arts. The wording UTILE DULCI (combining business with pleasure), the motto of l’Émulation, the City of Liège’s coat of arms as well as those of the Prince-Bishop Velbrück are also visible.

Founded in 1817 by the Dutch King Willem I, the University of Liège is the accomplishment of a long-standing intellectual tradition that dates back to the principality of Liège’s origins. From the 1950s onwards, all the faculties progressively migrated to the Sart-Tilman site in upper Liège. Only the administrative departments, education authority and faculty of philosophy and arts are still present in the city centre buildings. On Place du 20-Août, the main entrance to the university was built at the end of the 19th century. Four statues sit on top of it, representing philosophy, law, mathematics and medicine. As for the two statues in the niches, one is an allegory of the arts and the other of studying.

Completed in 1901, La Grand Poste central post office was built according to the blueprints designed by architect Edmond Jamar in a neo-Gothic style. For the building’s exterior, the architect drew inspiration from the first court of the Prince-Bishops’ palace. The façades are decorated by many elements. The six grand statues depict the mayors of the 15th and 16th centuries, whilst the nine small statues portray personnel from the post office from the same era. Lastly, the building bears many coats of arms, related to the principality of Liège and kingdom of Belgium.

This collegiate church was founded in 987, under the reign of Prince-Bishop Notger.It was burned down following a lightning strike in 1003 and rebuilt in the early 11th century. The tower was built between the 11th and early 12th centuries. Having undergone numerous architectural modifications over the centuries, the collegiate church today consists of a Romanesque tower and nave, a Gothic choir and a Baroque and Rococo interior. It also houses many remarkable pieces such as a late 16th century organ case or the altarpiece of the Passion of Christ and the life of Saint Denis. A true marvel of the first half of the 16th century, it illustrates the transition between the Gothic and Renaissance styles.

The statue of André Grétry is the work of Guillaume Geefs. Made of bronze, it was initially installed in 1842 on Place du 20-Août. It was only twenty years after that it was moved to its location in front of the Royal Theatre. Although the composer was buried in Paris, in the Père-Lachaise cemetery, his heart features in the base of this statue. Whilst the name of Grétry is less well-known today, in his time he was a composer very much in vogue. 

Before construction of the Royal Theatre from 1818 to 1820, a former Dominican convent occupied this location. On construction of the theatre, the columns of the Carthusian monks’ former church were re-used and incorporated into the façade of the building. In 1930, for the World Fair in Liège, a pediment was installed on the façade.  Created by Oscar Berchmans, it depicts deities from the Antiquity associated with the arts: Apollo, Athena and Aphrodite. Today, the building plays host to the Royal Opera of Wallonia. From 2009 to 2012, it underwent interior and exterior renovation. The modern section overlooking the theatre dates from this renovation.

The Cinema Sauvenière, a striking modern building, boasts four projection rooms, a brasserie and an exhibition zone. Erected in 2008, it has since been awarded four architecture prizes including the City of Liège urban planning prize (in 2009) and the Belgian prize for architecture (also in 2009). It is also included in the list of 40 striking buildings in 21st century Belgian architecture. The cinema proposes a wide range of films, many of which are projected in their original version

La Sauvenière baths and spaInaugurated in 1942, during German occupation, the baths and spa of La Sauvenière were built in 1938 in a modernist style. Mainly known for its pools, this vast complex also played host to sports halls and showers as well as a bus station on the ground floor. The building retained this purpose until 2000 and was renovated between 2009 and 2013, becoming the Cité Miroir. Its transformation into an exhibition venue enabled many of the building’s emblematic elements to be preserved, including the 80-metre long grand hall which housed the two main pools. La Cité MiroirInaugurated in 2014, the Cité Miroir plays host to two permanent exhibitions that attract the attention and give food for thought. Whilst the former, Plus jamais ça !, covers deportations by the Nazis, the latter, En Lutte, focuses on workers’ struggles. Major exhibitions, debates and performances are regularly organised at this venue, which aims to be a place of interaction and civic thinking accessible to all.

This collegiate church was founded around 980 by the first Prince-Bishop Notger, who was buried here. The plan of the church was inspired by Charlemagne’s palatine chapel, which is now Aachen Cathedral. The building remained until 1754, when it was demolished and replaced by the present church. Only the bell tower and certain parts of the cloister predate the present construction. The Romanesque tower plays host to a 35-bell carillon. The cloister is a mixture of the 16th, 18th and 19th centuries. There are many old tombstones, some of which date from the 15th century. The mystery of this place and indeed the city is that the location of Notger’s grave is still unknown. Inside, the Virgin of Saint John (Sedes Sapientiae) and the Calvary are fine examples of 13th century sculpture.

In this old district of the city, at number 10 Rue d’Amay, a luxurious noble abode can be seen, dating back to the 16th century and is said to have belonged to the Lord of Amay. Le Carré is today renowned for its night-life. Over the last few years, the separation between day-life and night-life in the district has become increasingly marked. Starting from the Boulevard de la Sauvenière, visitors enter the nocturnal section with its bars, whilst on approaching the cathedral they will come across its many boutiques.

The Forum is a concert hall built in 1922. Its Art deco architectural style on its own is worth the detour. Inside, the walls and ceilings are adorned with painted staffs. They combine classic style ornaments such as decorative scenes, as well as geometrical and floral patterns, all in Art deco style. Since it was opened, singers, actors and humourists have graced its stage to the great delight of the spectators.

Formerly home to the Forum brasserie, this building was transformed into a cinema in 1947, and took on the name of Churchill. The façade is remarkable thanks to its stained-glass window and carved floral decorations. As a whole, it is again a fine example of Art deco style. On heading to the next point, it is possible to see two emblems adorning the façades. The first, at 22 Rue du Pot-d’Or, gave its name to the street. The second is located at 14 Rue Pont-d’île. On this emblem, the following inscription can be read: AU CIGNE 1690.

For many centuries, the area around Saint Paul was an island separated from the rest of the city by two river arms: the Avroy arm and the Sauvenière arm. These two arms of the Meuse River were gradually transformed into boulevards during the 19th century. Street names still bear witness to this past. Consequently, Rue Vinâve-d’Île designates the largest street and the main thoroughfare of the Île district and Rue Pont-d’Île owes its name to the main bridge that directly linked the former island to the rest of the city centre. Together with their neighbouring streets, Rue Pont d’Île and Rue Vinâve-d’Île form the commercial hub of the historic centre.

Built by the architect Louis-Désiré Lemonnier in 1839, the passage bearing his name is, at 160 metres in length and 4 metres wide, the first major covered gallery in Belgium. It boasts approximately fifty shops, all of which are three storeys high. In 1937, it was renovated in Art deco style by the architect Henri Snyers. In the rotunda, two deities from the Antiquity keep watch: Athena and Hermes. Not far from there, in Rue Lulay-des-Fèbres, the Trocadéro concert hall can be recognised thanks to its Art deco style. As its façade and name suggest, the Trocadéro is the most Parisian of the cabarets in Liège.

More often called the Fountain of the Lions, the Fountain of the Virgin Mary has not always been situated at this location. Initially built in marble, it was erected at the end of the 17th century on the current site of the cathedral and adorned by a statue of the Virgin Mary and Child, made in 1696 by Jean Del Cour. In 1854, it was rebuilt at its current location by the architect from Liège, Julien-Étienne Rémont, who preferred granite to marble.