Page 130 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Brussels Bruges Ghent & Antwerp

128  BEY OND BRUSSELS

The stained­glass windows are the cathedral was allowed to
among the finest in Bel gium sell special indulgences (which
and were a gift from Emperor absolved the purchaser of their
Maximillian I in 1516. sins) to raise funds, on condition
One of Lier’s highlights is the that the pope received a
Zimmertoren, a 14th­century percent age. Completed in
watchtower that now houses 1546, the cathedral’s tower
the clocks of Lodewijk Zimmer has Belgium’s finest carillion,
(1888–1970). This Lier merchant a set of 49 bells, whose peals
wanted to share his knowledge ring out at weekends and on
of timepieces. pub lic holidays. The church
also contains The Crucifixion by
E Stedelijk Museum Wuyts Antony van Dyck (1599–1641).
Florent van Cauwenberg Straat 14. Less well­known in Mechelen
Tel (03) 800 0396. Open 10am– are three 16th­century houses
The Centenary Clock on Lier’s Zimmertoren midday 1–5pm Tue–Sun. by the River Dilje. They are not
or watchtower Closed Mon, public hols. & open to visitors, but their
P Zimmertoren exteriors are delight ful. The
4 Lier Zimmerplein 18. Tel (03) 800 0395. “House of the Little Devils” is
Open 10am–noon, 1–5pm Tue–Sun. & adorned with carved demons.
* 34,000. £ @ n Grote Markt 58,
(03) 800 0555. ∑ visitlier.be Mechelen is famous for its local
beers, and visitors should try the
Lier is an attractive small town, 5 Mechelen Gouden Carolus, a dark brew
just 20 km (12 miles) southeast * 77,000. £ @ n Hallestraat 2, said to have been the favourite
of Antwerp. The Grote Markt Grote Markt, (070) 22 00 08. tipple of the Emperor Charles V.
is a spacious cobbled square ∑ toerisme.mechelen.be
framed by handsome historic E St Romboutskathedraal
buildings. The Stadhuis (town The seat of the Catholic Arch­ St Romboutskerkhof. Tel (015) 29
hall) was built in 1740, and its bishop of Belgium, Mechelen 4030. 8 obligatory for tower.
elegant dimensions contrast was the administra tive capital Open 8:30am–5:30pm daily. Tower:
strongly with the square, of the country under the 1–6pm Sun–Fri, 10am–6pm Sat (last
turreted 14th­century Belfort Burgundian prince, Charles admission 4:40pm).
(belfry) adjoin ing. Nearby is the the Bold, in 1473. Today, it is
Stedelijk Museum Wuyts, with an appealing town whose
its collection of paintings by expan sive main square is 6 Dendermonde
Flemish masters including Jan flanked by pleasant cafés and * 40,000. £ @ n Stadhuis, Grote
Steen, Brueghel and Rubens. bars. To the west of the square Markt, (052) 21 3956.
East of here, the church of St is the main attraction, St ∑ toerismedendermonde.be
Gummaruskerk, with its soaring Romboutskathedraal, a huge
stone pillars and vaulted roof, cathedral that took some 300 A quiet, industrial town,
evokes medieval times, and the years to complete. The building Dendermonde is about
carved altarpiece is notable might never have been finished 20 km (12 miles) southeast of
for its intricate biblical scenes. but for a deal with the Vatican: Ghent. Its strategic posi tion, at

Mechelen’s main square, the Grote Markt, on market day

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