Lire (Belgium) – the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Lyra with a description, guides and cards.
Contents
City of Lear (Belgium)
Lier is a charming Flemish city located in the north Belgian province of Antwerp. Known for great historical heritage and a huge number of interesting attractions. Lire – a small provincial town center which is famous for its nice medieval streets and ancient monuments.
- Geography and climate
- Practical information
- Story
- How to get there
- sights
- Video
- Maps and guides
- Comments and reviews
Geography and climate
Lier is located in the north of Belgium, southeast of Antwerp. Through the city is surrounded by the river Nete. Lear has a temperate maritime climate. with cool summers and mild winters.
Lyre
Practical information
- The population is 35.7 thousand people.
- The area is 49.70 km2.
- The language is Dutch.
- Currency – Euro.
- Visa – Schengen.
- Time – Central European (UTC +1, summer +2).
- The most famous regional dish is Liers vlaaike. It’s spicy cake of candy syrup and a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander and cloves.
- Quite a few restaurants can be found around Zimmerplein, Grote Markt and on the street Eikelstraat.
Story
The first written references to Lyra date back to the 7th century, when Saint Gummar was born here. In 1212 the settlement received city rights. In 1258, a beguinage was founded in Lira – the community of the women’s order of berets, which is currently included in the list UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Church of the Holy Gummar in Lira
In the 14th century, the Duke of Brabant John II offered the city a choice two privileges (for helping to fight Mechelen): a university or livestock market. The inhabitants of Lira chose the market, for what subsequently got the offensive nickname Schapekoppen (which translates as “sheep head “).
In 1860, a skeleton of a mammoth was found on the site of the current town hall. This is the first such find found in Western Europe. TO Unfortunately, during the First War, Lear was at the front line and suffered greatly from the fire of German artillery. Most Medieval buildings were seriously damaged or destroyed. That what we see now, including the town hall and its bell tower, are replicas built shortly after the end of the First World War of war.
How to get there
Lear has regular rail and bus connections to nearby major Belgian cities including Antwerp, Mechelen and Brussels.
Lir is easily accessible by car. The city is located halfway between E19 (Antwerp – Brussels) and E313 (Antwerp – Liege).
sights
Grote Markt
Grote Markt is the beating heart of Lyra since it received city rights in 1212 The area has a triangular shape that indicates its Frankish origin. In 1914, 3/4 The historic buildings of the Grote Markt were destroyed. Architecture Square was restored soon after the First World War.
Town Hall with a bell tower
Town Hall – the architectural dominant of the Grote Markt. Originally it the building was used as a sewing workshop. In the 15th century sewing production was moved to Vleeshuis (butchers’ hall). In 1740 year the town hall was rebuilt in the style of the rococo brabant. Most A remarkable feature of the building is the magnificent gothic bell tower, built in 1369. The bell tower is a symbol freedom and independence lira. In 1999, it was included in UNESCO World Heritage List.
Zimmer Tower
Zimmer Tower – a medieval tower with magnificent astronomical clock. This building was built no later than 1425 and was part of the city fortifications. In 1930 astronomer and watchmaker Louis Zimmer installed a clock on the facade of the tower which consist of 12 clock mechanisms surrounding the central large dial. This watch showed time on all continents, moon phases, tidal times and many other periodic phenomena.
Holy Church Gummar
Church of St. Gummar – a magnificent Brabant cathedral gothic The construction of the current building began in 1378 and took about two centuries. Therefore, the church has an interweaving of architecture Gothic, Baroque and Rococo. The most interesting architectural The main feature of the cathedral is the tower with a height of 83 meters. Church The tower was built over four centuries. Its lower part is gothic, a little higher – late gothic, upper part – later Baroque, and the roof is rococo architecture. At the top of the tower is installed unique carillon. To go up you need to overcome 296 steps.
Beginage
Beguinage is a community-settlement of the Order of beggars, founded in Lira in 13th century. It is a kind of “city in the city.” Beginage includes 11 avenues, more than 150 houses, the church of St. Margaret 17th century and former convent. The entrance to this quarter emphasize blue stone monumental gate built at the end of 17 century. To the left of the gate is a medieval statue of Our Lady. Beguinage is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Chapel of St. Peter
St. Peter’s Chapel is the only Romanesque building in Lire and possibly also the oldest. The original chapel built in 1225, replaced a wooden religious building founded by saint Gummar in the 8th century. After finishing construction of the cathedral, located opposite, most the chapel was demolished. Unfortunately, this building burned down during World War I was restored in 1922.
Holy Church Jacob
The chapel of St. James dates from the 14th century, but throughout its long history has been repeatedly rebuilt and was restored. In the 17th century, it was used as a parish a church for the Spanish troops that were stationed in Lira. From here and the name – “Spanish Chapel”.
Fish market
The fish market is an important historical square in Lira. Here you can see the old 1835 water pump and the 1393 bakery tower (Bakkerstoren), which was located until the 16th century jail.
Butchers room
Butchers Hall (Vleeshuis) – a historic building from 1418, which currently has a neo-gothic architecture. On throughout history there were located: the town hall, the court, the prison.
Nazareth abbey
Nazareth Abbey – a medieval monastery founded in 1236 and destroyed in 1797 during the French Revolution. Only the entrance gate remained intact.
Gates of prisoners
The prisoner’s gates were built in 1375 as part of the first city wall. This is the only preserved gate. medieval lyre. From the 16th century until 1930, they were used in as a prison. Have a gothic structure with elements classicism.
House of Fortune
The House of Fortune is a historic 17th century building on the banks of the Neta River. Used as a grain warehouse, then as a coal warehouse and carpentry workshop.
Almshouse
Almshouses – medieval charities, built at the end of the 16th century. Currently, these small houses are rented.
Video
Maps and guides
Tourist Card
