Imagine sitting beneath the shadow of a 14^th century tower clock, sipping a Belgian beer and listening to the carillon play. A pleasant server brings you a plate of local cold cuts and cheeses to complement your beverage. The bells of the carillon play a familiar tune that make your heart sing as you enjoy an afternoon drinking in the culture while you visit Lier. After your break, you take a walk in the quiet streets, admiring the Flemish architecture, snapping photos along the way of the picturesque streets adding to your repertoire of travel memories.

History of Lier

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Lier is a French commune that was granted city rites in 1212. It is located in the Flanders region of Northern Belgium. Located on the Nete river, Lier was settled in the 8^th century and developed around the chapel of St. Peter. Lier became an important textile centre in the 14^th century. It was besieged and taken by the Spanish in 1582, by the Dutch in 1595, and by the English in 1706 during the War of the Spanish Succession. Belgian nationalists resisted a Dutch attack in 1830. Belgium has seen its fair share of war and occupation.

Destruction of Lier occurred as a result of bombing in Antwerp in 1914; however, many of the medieval structures survived including, the Gothic belfry, St. Gommarus’ Church and the béguinage.

Small-Town Travel Tip: Call me old fashioned, but I still like a paper map to navigate streets, especially towns with historical significance. Download your town map of Lier here to find your way around the charming town and its historical sites. You can also get a copy at the Town Hall when you visit Lier.

Where to Stay

12 Things See in Lier

1. Béguinage (Begijnhof)

Founded in 1258, the béguinage at Lier is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A monumental blue stone gate dating to 1690 marks entrance to the béguinage. Crowning the gate is a terracotta statue of Saint Begga which dates to 1777. Saint Begga is the patron saint of the béguines. The béguinage were private courts where women lead a religiously inspired but independent life. They took vows of purity and obedience but not vows of poverty. The béguines provided for themselves by weaving, making lace and embroidery. There was great harmony between spiritual and material life. Governed by a grand lady, they could leave the béguinage at any time.

2. Saint Margarita

Construction of Saint Margarita church in the béguinage began in 1664. The church was consecrated in 1671. A hundred years later, the upper part of the facade was completed along with the clock tower. The time difference in construction is evident in the architectural styles. The church is austere baroque and the bell tower shows rococo influence. The building is dedicated to Saint Margaret of Antioch, martyr and patroness of the Lier béguinage.

3. Houses of God (Almshouses)

Built during the Middle Ages, the almshouses in Lier helped to house the elderly, sick and needy. The quaint, sturdy buildings are the history of charity from the Middle Ages. The commune consists of small, connected houses and an inner garden. You can purchase Lier lace and embroidery in the Saint Beatrix almshouse. Be quiet and respectful due to the fact that people still live there.

4. Saint Gummarus Church (Sint-Gummaruskerk)

The construction of the St. Gummarus church began in 1378 and took about 200 years to complete. Clearly noticeable are the different architecture styles of the church, the lower sections are Gothic, the middle baroque, and the tower roof of 83 metres is rococo. Construction of the tower took nearly four centuries. You can climb 296 steps up the tower to get a view of Lier.

5. Saint Peter’s Chapel (Sint-Pieterskapel)

Saint Peter’s chapel is opposite the Sint-Gummarus church. The tiny church is the only Romanesque building in Lier and probably also the oldest. The original chapel dates to 1225. Fire destroyed the chapel during WWI; however, it was rebuilt in 1922.

6. Zimmer Tower

The Zimmer Tower is the best-known landmark in Lier with the Zimmer Clock at its centre. The tower is from the 14th century, which was part of the city wall at the time. Conversion of the tower into the current landmark took place in the 1930s.

7. Zimmermuseum

In the Zimmermuseum you can discover the life work of Louis Zimmer, an amateur but brilliant astronomer. The museum is located beside the Zimmer clock. For the World Exhibition in Brussels in 1935, Louis Zimmer built his masterpiece, the Miracle Clock, far ahead of its time in precision. The Zimmermuseum is an exhibition about time and space and a must-see for clock lovers.

8. Town Hall

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the gothic belfry of the Town Hall was built in 1369 and is a symbol of freedom and independence. In the Middle Ages, the bell rang in case of storm emergencies. Also, the Town Hall stored an arsenal of weapons. Since 1971, the belfry has housed a small carillon of 23 bells which play a tune every 15 minutes.

Built in 1740 rococo style, the historical town hall overlooks the Grote Markt. Designed as a large mansion, the building houses a gorgeous oak spiral staircase. Visitor information is located inside the Town Hall.

9. Large Market (Grote Markt)

Since the Middle Ages, the Large Market has been the beating heart of Lier. In 1914, three-quarters of the buildings in the Large Market were destroyed. By a miracle, the belfry and town hall suffered little damage. After WWI, some buildings were rebuilt in their original style.

10. Meathouse (Vleeshuis)

The former butcher’s guild house, or meathouse, dates to 1418. It has served as a cloth hall, justice of the peace and prison. The meathouse has been rebuilt several times in different styles. The current façade is a neo-gothic reconstruction from 1920.

11. Prisoners’ Gate (Gevangenenpoort)

Part of the first city wall, the Prisoners’ Gate was founded in 1375. This gate is the only remaining part of the oldest defensive wall in Lier.

12. Sheep heads (Schapenkoppen)

The Sheep Heads monument honours a legend behind the story of Lier. In the 15th century, Duke John II wanted to thank the people of Lier for their services during his struggle against the people of Mechelen. Therefore, the Duke offered them a reward that the people could choose for themselves: a cattle market or a university. They chose the cattle market and the Duke sighed, “Oh, the sheep heads!” Mechelen and Lier are bitter rivals to this day.

Where to Stop for a Beer in Lier

Café René

Beer and Belgium are synonymous with each other. One must stop and try a different beer with each town you visit. Stop at Café René, sit on the patio and enjoy a beer and snack while taking in the view of the Zimmer Clock. As you listen to the carillon play, make sure to watch the animated clock as doors open and close on the side of the building. Most importantly, Café René also has its own beer: The Triple René, a fresh tasting, clear blonde triple brewed using dry hopping.

Visit Lier

Belgium is full of medieval towns exuding charm, radiating fantastic Flemish architecture, overflowing with cobblestone streets, and bursting with historic landmarks. Lier, a small town in Belgium, does not lack in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, cafés and incredible churches with varying architectural styles. Visit Lier for a fabulous day trip from Antwerp or stay a little longer and immerse yourself in small-town culture.

All pictures in this post are taken by Charlotte, yours truly, as always, unless otherwise stated.