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Lier

August 2015

A daytrip to Lier gave us our a first taste of the things that old Flemish cities are famous for: market squares surrounded by tall Renaissance (or reproduction Renaissance) buildings, grand city halls from the 1300s and 1400s topped with imposing bell towers, big Gothic churches, and peaceful, narrow side streets.

Lier's bell tower looks like something out of Disney, but it was built in 1369

Lier's bell tower looks like something out of Disney, but it was built in 1369

The buildings that line the market square were built in the 1920s copying older styles

The buildings that line the market square were built in the 1920s copying older styles

In the 1400s, a local duke called Lier residents "sheep heads" (dunces) because they chose the duke's offer to host a regional livestock market instead of a university. The tourism board has embraced the nickname, and the sheep head symbol is everywhere. (The sign says "experience Lier, fun for the head")

In the 1400s, a local duke called Lier residents "sheep heads" (dunces) because they chose the duke's offer to host a regional livestock market instead of a university. The tourism board has embraced the nickname, and the sheep head symbol is everywhere. (The sign says "experience Lier, fun for the head")

Another sheep reference on a building in the market square

Another sheep reference on a building in the market square

We can't say we're sorry we were in Lier too early for this show

We can't say we're sorry we were in Lier too early for this show

Scottish Highland games are everywhere, even in Belgium

Scottish Highland games are everywhere, even in Belgium

Cupcakes have crossed the Atlantic (though ours may not qualify as "pimped")

Cupcakes have crossed the Atlantic (though ours may not qualify as "pimped")

Houses in Lier's old begijnhof, a village within the city that was occupied and run by an order of religious women (beguines)

Houses in Lier's old begijnhof, a village within the city that was occupied and run by an order of religious women (beguines)

A well with a long pump handle in the begijnhof

A well with a long pump handle in the begijnhof

Another street in the begijnhof, looking down to the beguines' church, St. Margaret's

Another street in the begijnhof, looking down to the beguines' church, St. Margaret's

Cottage roofs in the begijnhof

Cottage roofs in the begijnhof

The Nete river running through the center of Lier, and an old fishing boat for catching eels

The Nete river running through the center of Lier, and an old fishing boat for catching eels

The tower of the church of Saint Gummarus is nicknamed the pepper box

The tower of the church of Saint Gummarus is nicknamed the pepper box

The church of Saint Gummarus was built in stages from the 1300s to the 1500s

The church of Saint Gummarus was built in stages from the 1300s to the 1500s

The very Gothic rood screen of the Saint Gummarus church

The very Gothic rood screen of the Saint Gummarus church

People waiting for the bus in central Lier

People waiting for the bus in central Lier

A vending machine selling loaves of bread at the train station

A vending machine selling loaves of bread at the train station

One of Belgians' favorite foods

One of Belgians' favorite foods

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