L'Harmonie (a must Verviers)

The Société de l'Harmonie was created in 1829 by a Hervien in order to develop the musical presence in Verviers. This old lady, older than the Belgian state, had its premises near the Récollets. The musical meetings were a great success and were attended by rich industrialists. As the premises were not up to scratch, the bourgeoisie called on the Brussels architect Spaak to construct a new building, which was inaugurated in 1835. Henri Vieuxtemps, aged 15, played there. 

The simple neo-classical building has two levels with nine bays. 

From the outset, the building was already too small, and it was Thirion who added a wing on each side in 1859, as well as balustrades and vases crowning the façade. On the ground floor, the seven central bays form a portico with Doric columns. This supports the first floor with large bays also separated by Doric columns. They illuminate the great hall which is the centrepiece of the building. This hall has hosted and still hosts many receptions. It is here that all the Belgian kings passing through Verviers have been received.

The park adjoining the building is very pleasant to walk through and has many rare species brought back by our woolgrowers, such as a sequoia and a ginkgo biloba, exceptional trees. It is surrounded by beautiful gates.

In this green space, there is a magnificent kiosk in Moorish style. It was designed by Thirion, an architect from Verviers, and was inaugurated in 1854. It should be noted that it has a twin in Bruges. The building and the kiosk are classified as Walloon heritage; the park is managed by the Walloon Region.