Page 186 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Belgium & Luxembourg

184  BEL GIUM AND L UXEMBOURG REGION B Y REGION

1 Street-by-Street: Tournai

One of Belgium’s oldest urban centres, Tournai has origins
dating back to AD 60. A Roman city, it became the focus of
early Christian activity, beginning with St Piat’s efforts in the
3rd century AD. Clovis I (AD 465–511), King of the Franks and
the first major ruler of the Merovingian dynasty and the
French royal line, was perhaps born here. The much-
venerated St Eleutherius was his first bishop. Although badly
damaged by German bombing in World War II, Tournai’s long
history is written into the city centre. The awe-inspiring
Cathédrale Notre-Dame, the soaring belfry and the impressive Église St-Jacques
Grand Place are surrounded by old cobbled streets which This 13th-century church
provide a constantly changing view of the city skyline. was built for pilgrims en
route to Santiago di
Compostela in Spain. RUE DE COURTRAI

R U E P I Q U E T

R U E P E R D U E

. Grand Place R U E D E L ´ Y S E R
The town square is bounded by numerous 17th-century
façades and the cathedral’s towers loom in the east. On
the western side, the Halle des Draps (Clothmakers’ Hall),
built in 1610, has a gilded façade. A statue of Christine
de Lalaing, local 16th-century heroine, stands in the R U E D E S O R F È V R E S
centre of the square.

R U E D E S M A U X

Key
Suggested route

Église St-Quentin
The grey-stone columns and vaulting give this 12th-century
church a tranquil austerity. It was restored in the 1960s,
following wartime damage. Its greatest treasure is the
silver statue of Notre Dame de la Treille (1724).
For hotels and restaurants see p269 and p289

184-185_EW_Belgium.indd 184 18/10/16 3:02 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 24th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm