| Ivy ((nl)Bind) | |
| Information | |
| Country | .svg/20px-Flag_of_Belgium_(civil).svg.png){kind=small} Belgium |
|---|---|
| Region | Province of Antwerp |
| Watercourse | Nethe |
| Area | 49,85 km² |
| Population | 33 492 hab. (, and ) |
| Postal code | 2500 |
| Location | |
 51 ° 8 ′ 0 ″ N 4 ° 34 ′ 0 ″ E | |
| Official site | |
Ivy is a Dutch speaking city of Belgium located in Flemish region in the Province of Antwerp.
Understand
Story
According to legend, the city was founded by St.-Gommaire. If we are to believe the Gesta Espiscoporum Cameracensium, Gommaire would have founded the chapter of Lier. We should rather place this foundation in the eleventh century. From the 12th century, this chapter was attached to the main church of the city, whose patron was Saint John the Baptist. In the 13th century, Gommaire replaced the Baptist.
In 1212, the Duke of Brabant Henri I granted an urban charter to the Lierrois. The first enclosure of the city dates from 1244. The 13th century also sees the foundation of the beguinage outside the first enclosure and the convent of Nazareth. Abbess Beatrice wrote the first prose work in Middle Dutch in the 13th century, a mystical work entitled "Seven manieren van heiliger minnen".
The 14th century was a period of prosperity for the city: construction of a cloth hall in 1367, a belfry in 1369 and a second rampart in 1389. The prosperity of the city was based on the drapery industry and on the existence of a cattle market, which had been granted to it by the Dukes of Brabant.
Lier was part of the Marquisate ofAntwerp. The city consisted of an urban center and a "vat", called "Bijvang", that is to say a suburb comprising the villages of Bevel, Emblem, Kessel and Nijlen.
Among the most significant events in the history of the city, we can cite the marriage of Philippe le Beau and Jeanne de Castille in 1496. The city was devastated by fires, notably in 1485, 1518 and 1527. From 1523 to 1530, King Christian II of Denmark stayed there during his exile. In 1559, Lier, which was part of the bishopric of Cambrai, was incorporated into the new bishopric of Antwerp.
Lier was not spared by the First World War. In 1914, Fort de Lierre resisted the advance German and the villa was severely bombed. More than 700 homes were destroyed.
To go
Lier is connected by rail to a number of major Belgian cities, including Antwerp, Mechelen, Herentals, Aarschot, Leuven and Brussels. The connection to Antwerp is particularly good, from there any other destination in Belgium can be easily reached. The station is located quite close to the city center, about 10 min walk.
- 1 SNCB station
Circulate
To see
- 1 Zimmertoren
Entrance 3 €. - 2 Beguinage – UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- 3 Saint-Gommaire Church – Gothic architecture, from the 14the century.
- 4 City Hall – Rococo architecture of the XVIIIe century. The belfry dates from 1369.
Entrance 
Do
- 1 Boat tour – On the Nethe.
To buy
Eat
- 1 Baja Sardinia – Fairly good Italian food. Normal prices. Fast service.
- 2 Toscana – Basic Italian cuisine. Affordable prices.
Have a drink / Go out
Housing
- 1 Best Western Zimmerhotel room available from 16 h, to be released before 11 h.
