Ambiorix was the king of the Eburones, who inflicted the largest defeat upon the legions of Julius Caesar conducted by Cotta in 54-53 BC. It was the largest defeat they had known during the conquest of Gaul. In 1866, a statue was established for Ambiorix and was created by the sculptor Jules Bertin.

Before the “Great Fire” of 1677, the old town hall was situated on the corner of the market (Grote Markt) and the St-Truiderstraat. At the beginning of the 18th century, the decision was made to build the present town hall on the site of the destroyed clothmakers’ hall.  It was constructed between 1737 and 1759 according to the designs of Pascal Barbier, an architect from Liège. The classicistic style of the building is a fine example of the 18th century architectural style of the Maasland region. Furniture from Liège, paintings and plasterwork in the style of Louis XV determine the interior (not open to the public).

The War Memorial was unveiled on 28 August 1926 in the presence of H. M. King Albert I. It commemorates the fallen of Tongeren from both World Wars. The monument is made of bluestone and has four gargoyles in the form of lion’s head. The original fountain bowl was made of mosaic.

The Gothic tower of the Basilica of Our Lady dominates over the town and the surrounding area. It is undeniably one of the finest religious edifices of our country. Over 300 years were necessary to complete this magnificent monument. The interior is full of art treasures, of which the most famous one is without a doubt the walnut statue of Our Lady of Tongeren Cause of Our Joy, which dates from approximately 1479. The Romanesque cloister of the 12th century can be considered as a rare evidence of the Romanesque architecture in Belgium.

Opening hours: every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.– free entrance

The Treasury of the Basilica of Our Lady accommodates a unique collection of religious works of art from the 6th century until the 19th century.

Opening hours: From 1st April until 30th September every day from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. – closed on Monday mornings

Entrance prices:

Adults:  € 2.50

55 +, students:  € 2.00

Children up to 6 years: free

Children from 6 until 12 years: € 0.50

Groups from 10 persons or more: € 1.75

Schools and disabled persons: € 0.50

The statue of Our Lady goes back to 1479 and originates from an atelier from Antwerp. It is also the basis for the seven-yearly coronation celebrations. Since 1890, when the statue was crowned, the internationally known coronation celebrations have been organised every seven years. During the procession of relics, the treasures of the church are shown and the crowned statue of the Virgin Mary “Cause of Our Joy” is carried in this procession of more than 3,000 participants.

As a result of the town destruction in 1213 by the troops of Duke Hendrik I of Brabant, the construction of the medieval walls began in 1241. This wall surrounded the town centre at that time, which is now defined by the present ring road. Several parts of this 13th century wall still partly determine the pattern of the former medieval town. The best preserved parts are situated along the Leopoldwal and the Elfde-Novemberwal, but the Cloth Maker’s Tower and the Velinx Tower also belonged to this 13th century wall. In the 15 century, the town walls were partly demolished and in the 17th century the French destroyed various town gates. The defensive walls were restored in the 18th century, but eventually they had to give way to modernisation in the 19th century.

Dream away for a moment between the picturesque small houses and the plazas with a feeling of going back in time. That is the experience you get when you visit one of the oldest beguinages of Flanders. In the middle of the 13th century the beguinage of Tongeren, right by the Jeker, was founded as a miniature town within the town. The narrow alleys, beautifully restored premises, ... a little different and self-willed, a dreamed location for artists and ... since 1998 world heritage site of UNESCO. We are glad to invite you to this 750 year old part of town.

The St. Catherine church, better known as the beguinage church or friars’ church, is one of the oldest churches of the town. This early Gothic church from 1294 has been restored and adjusted several times through the centuries. The current baroque arch and the spirelet were placed on the church in the 18th century. After the French Revolution, the church came into the possession of the Church Commission of Tongeren. In 1899 they let the church (for 99 years) to the Franciscan friars, which eventually explains the origin of the name friars’ church. The attractive St. Catherina-church contains a rich collection of works of art, among which especially the woodcarving and the paintings catch the eye. Among the most important objects of interest are the pulpit by Robrecht Verburgh from 1711 in Louis the XIV-style, the painting above the high altar by Gaspar de Crayer from the 17th century and the statue of the Suffering Christ, donated by beguine Anna de Floz.

Shortly after 1262, an infirmary was built where elderly and ill beguines were taken care of. Next to this building, a chapel was dedicated to the Saint Ursula in 1294. The current building of the infirmary dates from 1659. At the end of the 17th century, the chapel was ruinous and it was replaced by a small baroque hall church from 1701 with a unique Dutch gable. The restored St. Ursula chapel is being used as a polyvalent space for chamber concerts, theme exhibitions, lectures and other cultural events.

Cloth Maker’s Tower

The St. Agnes convent already existed in 1418 and was enlarged after the donation of Joanna Van Repen in 1421. After the French Revolution, the convent was sold and the canon Vandermaesen became the new owner. He had the church demolished and equipped it as a mansion.  Recently, the building was restored and painted by the technique of badgeon painting with the exception of the former summer refectory and the church ruins. At the moment, the St. Agnes convent is in use by the service of the Flemish Community (Jongerenwelzijn).

This church was probably founded by the tanners, who made sure that the church was dedicated to their patron St. John. The original church already existed in 1205. Between the 17th and the 19th century a new church was built. The church contains numerous valuable artefacts and became the third parish church of Tongeren, after the Basilica of Our Lady and the disappeared St. Nicolas church.

In the Prince-Bishopric of Liège, the Freedom Column is the symbol of the princely power and the freedoms of the “Good Cities”. Because of the special meaning that was given to the Freedom Column, this symbol was placed on the “Grote Markt”. In 1866 this symbol of freedom had to make place for the foundation of the Ambiorix statue. It was re-established in 1957 next to the Gallo-Roman museum and in 1985 it was relocated to its current location on the plaza (Plein).

On the outskirts of the old town centre, especially from the north to the west, there still are impressive remains of the 4,544 meter long town wall from the 2nd century. This wall was formerly about 6 meters high and fortified at regular intervals with round towers. On the outside it was protected by a few deep defensive moats. Monumental gates were situated where access roads entered the town. From the Middle Ages onwards, the Roman town wall was demolished for the most part for its reusable building materials. Therefore only the core of the former impressive wall, consisting of two rough blocks of fling, remains. A walkway was laid along this wall, from the Bilzen road to the Liège road.

Already in the 11th century, there should have been a chapel in Mulken. At the end of the 17th century the present chapel was added to the tower from the 13th century. Beautiful wall paintings from the 14th and 15th century were discovered in this tower. The chapel is an important place of pilgrimage dedicated to St. Giles, one of the saints for persons in distress. The pilgrimage takes place during the first nine days of September and still attracts large numbers of pilgrims.

This parish church was built in 1949 after the example of an early Christian basilica with a freestanding tower. In the fronton above the entrance, you can find the representation of the Saint Lutgardis embracing the cross. Saint Lutgardis was born in Tongeren in 1182 and is the patroness of Flanders, the blind, writers and the Flemish youth. The most important objects of interest are a beautiful series of stained-glass windows, a Way of the Cross by brother Max and the statue of St. Lutgardis by Esbroek.

The “park of the eastern Jeker”, which covers 200 ha, is situated to the South-east of Tongeren. Because of its favourable location and exceptional flora and fauna, the nature park belongs to the most valuable nature reserves in South Limburg. In short, a rare piece of nature in Hesbaye that should be cherished.

Through four signposted walk routes, fanciers can meet with all the aspects of this landscape. Organised walks for schools and associations are possible by appointment: de.kevie@skynet.be – tel: 012 23 53 60 – 0472 37 80 80

Site: www.kevie.be