Liège
The Meuse river meets the Ourthe river in a valley that cradles the city of Liège. This confluence shaped every aspect of life here for centuries. Germanic tribes named this place *liudik-, meaning people, a root found across many European languages from Dutch to Latvian. Until 1946, official documents spelled the name with an acute accent instead of a grave one. The epithet "the fervent city" emerged around 1905 to describe its history of rebellion against Burgundian rule before being repurposed during the Industrial Revolution.
Saint Lambert of Maastricht completed the Christianization of the region around 705 AD after his murder turned him into a martyr. His successor Hubertus built a basilica near the bishop's residence which became the true nucleus of the city. A prince-bishopric ruled Liège from 985 until 1794 under leaders like Notger who transformed it into a major intellectual centre. In 1345 citizens rebelled against Prince-Bishop Engelbert III de la Marck and defeated him in battle near the city. A unique political system formed where thirty-two guilds shared sole political control of the municipal government. Each person on the register of each guild was eligible to participate making it the most democratic system that the Low Countries had ever known.
The German invasion of Belgium reached Liège on the 5th of August 1914 defended by 30,000 troops under General Gérard Leman. The forts initially held off General Alexander von Kluck's German First Army of about 100,000 men but were pulverised into submission by heavy artillery including two German 42 cm Big Bertha howitzers. Twelve days of delay caused by the siege contributed to the eventual failure of the German invasion of France. During World War II Germans returned in 1940 taking the forts in only three days while many Jewish children and refugees were hidden in monasteries. After the war ended social tension grew as coal and steel industries declined producing high levels of unemployment. Disgruntled workers went on a rampage during the 1960, 1961 Winter General Strike severely damaging the central railway station Guillemins.
Starting in 1817 John Cockerill extensively developed the iron and steel industry making the industrial complex of Seraing the largest in the world. The economy of the region is now diversified with mechanical industries manufacturing aircraft engines and spacecraft propulsion. Techspace Aero manufactures pieces for the Airbus A380 or the rocket Ariane 5. Other stand-out sectors include Amós which manufactures optical components for telescopes and Drytec which produces compressed air dryers. Several new shopping centres have been built and numerous repairs carried out showing signs of economic recovery in recent years. Liège has an important group of headquarters dedicated to high-technology such as SAP EVS Gillam AnB Balteau and IP Trade.
The Le Quinze Août celebration takes place annually on the 15th of August in Outremeuse celebrating the Virgin Mary with a religious procession flea market dances concerts and popular games. Some citizens open their doors to party goers serving peket the traditional local alcohol linked to the folkloric character Tchantchès. Within the pedestrian zone behind the Opera House there is a square city block known locally as Le Carré with many lively pubs reputed to remain open until the last customer leaves typically around 6 am. The Batte market runs from early morning to 2 o'clock in the afternoon every Sunday year long attracting visitors to see produce clothing and snack vendors. The city annually hosts significant electro-rock festival Les Ardentes and jazz festival Jazz à Liège.
Liège hosts the start and finish of the annual Liège, Bastogne, Liège cycling race one of the spring classics and the oldest of the five monuments of cycling. It starts in the centre of Liège before heading south to Bastogne and returning north to finish in the industrial suburb of Ans. Traveling through the hilly Ardennes it is one of the longest and most arduous races of the season. Liège is the only city that has hosted stages of all three cycling Grand Tours including the start of the 1973 and 2006 Giro d'Italia. In 2009 the Vuelta a España visited Liège after four stages in the Netherlands making it the first city that has hosted stages of all three cycling Grand Tours. The city is also home to boxer Ermano Fegatilli the current European Boxing Union Super Featherweight champion.
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Common questions
When was the name Liège officially spelled with an acute accent instead of a grave one?
Until 1946, official documents spelled the name with an acute accent instead of a grave one.
Who completed the Christianization of the region around 705 AD after his murder turned him into a martyr?
Saint Lambert of Maastricht completed the Christianization of the region around 705 AD after his murder turned him into a martyr. His successor Hubertus built a basilica near the bishop's residence which became the true nucleus of the city.
What happened to the forts in Liège during the German invasion on the 5th of August 1914?
The forts initially held off General Alexander von Kluck's German First Army but were pulverised into submission by heavy artillery including two German 42 cm Big Bertha howitzers. Twelve days of delay caused by the siege contributed to the eventual failure of the German invasion of France.
Which industries does John Cockerill extensively develop starting in 1817 to make Seraing the largest industrial complex in the world?
John Cockerill extensively developed the iron and steel industry starting in 1817 making the industrial complex of Seraing the largest in the world. The economy of the region is now diversified with mechanical industries manufacturing aircraft engines and spacecraft propulsion.
When does the Le Quinze Août celebration take place annually in Outremeuse and what activities occur there?
The Le Quinze Août celebration takes place annually on the 15th of August in Outremeuse celebrating the Virgin Mary with a religious procession flea market dances concerts and popular games. Some citizens open their doors to party goers serving peket the traditional local alcohol linked to the folkloric character Tchantchès.