Liege, branded ‘Europe’s ugliest city’, still demands attention from travellers touring Belgium. Merely an hour from Brussels, Liege is perfect for a day jaunt or even an extended stay with its array of hotels.
The city caught the eye of travel influencer James Haskins, known on Instagram as @traveller.james, who recently paid a visit to Leige.
Following his trip he shared a video of the his time in the city, writing: “Is this the UGLIEST city in Belgium ..?
“ONLY 20 minutes from Aachen, Germany via high-speed ICE train or Eurostar, you will arrive in the city of LIEGE, which is one of Belgium’s most unique cities in the region of Wallonia, BUT it’s also reported to be one of Belgium and Europe’s UGLIEST!”
Located on the bank of the Meuse River and steeped in history that goes back to Charlemagne’s time, Liege once thrived as a Prince-Bishopric within the Holy Roman Empire.
History aficionados visiting Liege should prioritise the Palace of the Prince-Bishops, a former abode of Liege’s Prince-Bishops, now functioning as both Liege’s Palace of Justice and the Provincial Palace essential government institutions.
The palace once proudly faced St. Lambert’s Cathedral, which was razed in 1794 when the Liege locals revolted against the Prince-Bishops, resulting in the city being swallowed up by French revolutionary forces.
In the aftermath, the collegiate church of St Paul’s was promoted to cathedral status, a title it still holds in the city today.
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Another must-see spot in the city is the Montagne De Bueren, a towering staircase with 374 steps named after Vincent de Bueren, who valiantly defended the city from an attack by the Duke of Burgundy in the 15th century.
Constructed in the 1880s, these stairs serve as a tribute to the 600 soldiers who fell in battle. In 2013, the Montagne De Bueren topped Huffington Post’s list of Most Extreme Staircases.
Those visiting Liege will also be struck by the distinctive design of the city’s train station, adorned with a kaleidoscope of coloured glass panels embedded in the station’s ceiling. This vibrant touch was added in 2022, courtesy of artist Daniel Buren.
Art enthusiasts should also make a beeline for Le Plongeur et son arc (The Diver and his Arc), a breathtaking sculpture crafted by Romanian sculptor Idel Lanchelevic, that has graced the riverbanks since 2000.
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