Wallonia

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Wallonia is the south part of Belgium and is brimming with amazing fairytale-type landscapes, vibrant carnivals, and beautiful castles. The inhabitants of Wallonia mostly speak French, with one small area speaking mostly German, and are known as Walloons. Many Walloons speak English as well. Walloons are known for being welcoming and hospitable, making visitors enjoy their stay even more. Following is a short guide to two of Wallonia's more famous cities:
 
Liege
 
Known as the Fiery City, Liege reminds many visitors of Rome. Liege is filled with contrasts: green hills, stairs, and rising alleyways make up this busy metropolis. Night life is exciting in Liege, where visitors and inhabitants alike enjoy the city's many cafes, concerts, piano bars, and taverns. 
 
Things to see:
  • Prince-Bishops' Palace: The construction of this palace was ordered by Prince-Bishop Everard van der Marck in 1526. The outside is Italian Renaissance style, while the inside has a Gothic flavor. This building is the most awesome building in Liege. The palace consists of two courtyards that interconnect; the first courtyard is the only one open to the public and is surrounded by four galleries and 60 columns. The columns are decorated with human figures and masks. Many renovations over the years have not deterred from the palace's regal style.
  • St. Paul's Cathedral: Founded in the 10th century, this church became the new cathedral of Liege in the 19th century. The building has three naves with seven bays and chapels; it is also known for its stained-glass windows, and white marble statue of Christ, and 19th century furniture. The ceiling showcases amazing frescoes.
 
Namur
 
Namur is located not far from Brussels and is mostly known for its many festivals. The inhabitants of the city want to inspire and create, and this is evident in the many cinemas, choirs, poetry festivals, and fairs that are abundant here. Namur is situated at the convergence of the Sambre and Meuse Rivers, which are both major waterways. Because of this easy accessibility, Namur has been leveled many times from Roman times through the second World War. 
 
Things to see:
  • The Citadel: The Citadel is a fortified town with an amazing man-made underground network. It can be visited by train or on foot. It was built in the 3rd and 4th centuries to defend the Meuse River valley against the Germans. More recently used for military purposes, the Citadel is one of the largest fortified constructions in Europe.
  • The Fėlicien Rops Museum: Located in a former 18th century house, this museum houses about 1000 works of the famous painter Fėlicien Rops; 25% of the paintings are on display. Rops was a Belgian caricaturist and illustrator. His subjects are mostly women and landscapes.
 
 
Sources:
www.visitbelgium.com
www.trabel.com
www.travel.yahoo.com
www.en.wikipedia.org



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