Welcome to Belgian Lorraine ArlonCity walk PROVINCE OF LUXEMBOURG 1 Arlon is... the administrative centre of the province of Luxembourg, with 2,000 years of history. One of the three oldest cities in Belgium. ArlThis brochure presents two routeso along whichn you can explore the city past and present: one short – Heart of the city (± 1h30) – through the historic centre and one long – The suburbs (± 2h) – to explore sites which, in their time, were at the very heart of life in Arlon. The map on the centre pages indicates the Art Nouveau elements and the path followed by the Roman ramparts . Listed monuments are indicated throughout the brochure. Extend your visit to the remains of the past by examining the museum collections. At the end of the brochure, you will find the sites and monuments worth seeing in the area around the city and in the villages. Other discovery circuits are available. You can also explore Arlon in the company of a guide, upon reservation at the Arlon Royal Tourist Office. Need more information? Arlon Royal Tourist Office Rue des Faubourgs, 2 ― 6700 Arlon +32(0)63 21 63 60 ― [email protected] We’ll be Arlontourisme pleased to help you! 2 Start 1 Arlon Royal Tourist Office Former “Hôtel du Nord” The hotel was at one time a coaching inn and one of the best hotels in Arlon. It was here, in 1886, that the celebrated violinist Eugène Ysaye celebrated his marriage to Louise Bourdau. The “Hôtel du Nord” was built on the remains of a bastion (fortified building) and on part of the third city wall which had been rebuilt by the French at the end of the 17th century. As you leave the courtyard, take a look at the building on the corner of “Rue Marché aux Légumes” and “Rue des Faubourgs”. 2 The sgraffiti The main features of this retail building erected in 1898 by the architect Groothaert are the rich, sculpted decoration and the sgraffiti that adorn the tympanums of the windows on the ground floor. The drawings tell a story about fabulous creatures in the tradition of symbolism. As well as the sgraffiti, the Art Nouveau style is reflected in the use of ironwork at the entrance and the typical whiplash design on the stone. Follow “Rue Marché aux Légumes” , cross “Place Hollenfeltz” and “Place Didier” , walk along “Rue de Diekirch” to the right and just before the cinema you will find an inner city garden. Enter through the porch. 3 The Atrium Here you will find an interactive model reproducing the various ramparts in Arlon and the city’s main monuments, the major periods in the history of our city and a great deal of information that will be useful for your stay in Arlon. The name of the garden evokes our city’s Roman past. This is intended as a place of friendly welcome, like the atrium, the central room in Roman houses. The garden is open every day from 7 am to 8 pm. 3 Retrace your steps and as you come out, turn right along “Rue de Diekirch” . At the traffic lights, turn right and go down “Rue des Faubourgs” as far as “Square Astrid” . “L’appel de la forêt” or 4 “Cerf Bramant” (sculpture by Jean Gaspar) It was a nocturnal visit to the Ardennes forest in 1899 that was the source of inspiration for this sculpture by Jean-Marie Gaspar; originally modeled in plaster, it was cast in bronze in 1913 and has been gracing Astrid Square since 1936. Jean-Marie Gaspar was born in Arlon in 1861 and died in Brussels in 1931. At the age of 18 he began working in the studio of sculptor Jef Lambeaux. He showed works in a number of exhibitions, including the Paris “Exposition Universelle” (1889) where he was awarded an exposition medal for his work. Opposite the “Cerf Bramant” stands the courthouse, inaugurated in 1993 and expanded in 2003. Next to the building is a monument in honor of General Patton. Go back up “Rue des Faubourgs” as far as the traffic lights and turn right into “Rue des Martyrs” . On your right 5 The Archaeological Museum The collections of the Archaeological Museum are testament to the rich history of the region and, especially, its significant place in Gallo- Roman civilisation. The museum “lapidary” galleries are considered to be amongst the most important in Europe: these bas-reliefs, along with the collection of handicraft and everyday objects (pottery, glass, tools, arms, jewellery, ...) serve to give a detailed image of how life was lived by the peoples of the region during the first 3 centuries of our era. At this time, what is now the city of Arlon was called “Orolaunum vicus” and was part of an administrative unit governed from the city of “Civitas Treverorum” (modern day Trier) in the province of Belgian 4 Gaul. Amongst the bas-reliefs in the museum are some which are unique and which contribute significantly to our understanding of the Roman civilisation: this is especially the case with the sculpted fragment picturing the “Roman harvesting machine”. This Gallic invention was adopted by the Romans. Other bas-reliefs, such as “The Voyagers”, are simply examples of fine craftsmanship reflecting great aesthetic qualities. There is also a large area for temporary exhibitions. Tel.: +32 (0)63 21 28 49 ― [email protected] www.museearcheoarlon.be Open from Tuesday to Saterday: 9.00-12.00 and 13.00-17.30. Every first Sundays of each month and every Sundays from april to september and on public holidays: 13.30-17.30. The museum is closed on Mondays, 1/1, 1/11, 2/11 (morning), 11/11 and during the Christmas holidays. 6 The Gaspar Museum On your left The Gaspar Museum takes its name from a distinguished Arlon family who took up residence in this house at the end of the 19th century. The house itself was built in 1842. The two principal family members, withregard to the museum, are Jean-Marie Gaspar (1861-1931), sculptor, and Charles Gaspar (1871-1950), photographer, collector, and patron of the arts. It was Charles who bequeathed the house, as well as his art collection, to the City of Arlon provided that the city would create a museum in the house to display the sculptures of his brother along with a section displaying Charles’s private collection of the “historical heritage of Arlon”. In addition to the permanent collection in the Gaspar salons, the museum regularly organises temporary exhibitions about the Art and History of the Region. Whilst, in a room downstairs, a selection of Religious Art is displayed: the most notable of which is the famous Fisenne Retable (Fisenne Altarpiece) - amasterpiece dating from ± 1510. Tél.: +32 (0)63 60 06 54 [email protected] ― www.museegaspar.be Open from Tuesday to Saterday: 9.30-12.30 and 13.30-17.30. Every first Sundays of each month and every Sundays from april to september and on public holidays: 13.30-17.30. The museum is closed on Mondays, 1/1, 1/11, 11/11, and 25/12. 5 Cross the “Parc Gaspar” with its remarkable trees, the perfect place for relaxation and archaeological discovery. 6 As you come out of the park, turn right. Exceptional 7 The Saint-Martin’s Church heritage This is the third church in Arlon to bear this name: it was built by public funds and subscriptions. The first church was built in the 8th century outside the city walls. It was destroyed in the 16th century. The place of worship was transferred, in 1558, to a church in the centre of Arlon. The building of the present church is said to result from the desire of King Leopold to have significant buildings marking the two extremities of the country; but is that of the inhabitants of Arlon to have a church worthy of the status of their city as the administrative capital of the province of Luxembourg. It was built between 1907 and 1914 using local stone from the Lorraine and based on the 13th Gothic rayonnant ogival style. The combined height of the tower and steeple is 97 metres. It was consecrated in 1937 and became a listed building in 2002. In front of the church The statue of King Albert I (sculpture by Victor Demanet) Here you have the choice: you can continue your , or you can take – Heart of the city – walk by following the directions below – route er the – Suburbs described on page 17. Then walk alongside the park “Square Albert I ” and take around the Provincial Palace as far as ” to get to “Place Léopold” . On the right of the square “Rue du 25 août 8 The “Palais Provincial” It was in 1839 that Arlon was finally designated as the administrative capital of the province of Luxembourg. In 1844 the architect A. Jamot was commissioned by the City to create a complete new quarter around the future “Place Leopold”. The “Palais Provincial” was inaugurated in 1849. Further work was carried-out following fires in 1905 and 1917. Since 1947 various internal renovations and alterations, along with the construction of an extension in 1974, have seen to it that the building remains appropriate to its purpose of housing the provincial administration of Arlon. The Palais Provincial and its surroundings were listed in 1981. 7 9 The “Palais” (former law courts) On the left Situated on the north side of the “Place Leopold”, you will see the Old Law Courts. These were constructed between 1864 and 1866 to a design also by architect Jamot and based upon 15th century gothic style both externally and internally.