Sightseeing in Namur - what to see. Complete travel guide

The first mention of Namur belongs to the 7th century. The first settlers of this region were the Celts; then the area was conquered by the French people and later by the Austrians. Namur was added to the territory of Belgium only in the late 19th century. This is an ancient city with rich history and great historical heritage.

Start your observation of the town from a walk on the embankment, which stretches along the Sambre River. This place features wonderful views of the Citadel. St. Aubin Cathedral is one of the oldest buildings of Namur. The cathedral was seriously rebuilt in the 18th century. On the territory of the Cathedral are also buried several great military leaders. Unfortunately, the excursions through the halls of the cathedral are organized quite rarely, but you can still enjoy the majestic facades of this building. One of the streets of Namur hides another beautiful building - Church of St Lou. Its construction was completed in the middle of the 17th century. Due to the fact the church is located on one of the narrow streets its facade can be barely seen.

The most massive facility of this town is the local Citadel. First walls that surround it were built yet in the Middle Ages. The most recent walls were built a bit more than a hundred years ago. The citadel borders with a spacious park and directly in front of the building is located the so called stadium - a large area with stands. Near the Citadel you will find Chateau de Namur. Nowadays the castle is turned into a restaurant, so everyone can dine in candlelight, surrounded by true medieval atmosphere. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

While walking through the quiet streets of Namur, you will see interesting old buildings, created in accordance with best traditions of past centuries. Don’t forget to check local shops or walk along the bank of the river.

One of the most interesting symbols of the city is Jambes Bridge built over a thousand years ago. Looking at this bridge now, it's hard to believe in its impressive age, as it is still used for its intended purpose. Not so long ago the architectural sight was supplemented with a beautiful lighting system, so many people come to admire the bridge at night. With the lighting turned on, it seems that the bridge is illuminated by torches.

The most important religious monument for all residents of the city is Notre-Dame du Rempart. The very first church on its site was built more than a thousand years ago, and some elements of the old temple building can be seen even today. The main artifact of the old church is the statue of the Virgin Mary who was considered the guardian of the city back in the Middle Ages. Once the city walls were surrounded by deep moats filled with water. Fragments of these walls are still near the temple. Even the moats have been preserved, but now they are reformed into artificial ponds surrounded by flower beds.

Theater fans in Namur will have the opportunity to visit the Royal Theater that first opened more than 150 years ago. The theater building is constructed of rare sandstone and is a valuable architectural monument of the city. Like many years ago, today the theater holds many interesting performances.

One of the fascinating city attractions is Marie Spilar Tower. It is a surviving part of the old city wall, which is connected with lots of incredible ancient stories. Since its construction, it has remained practically unchanged. Even during the Second World War, the tower remained unscathed, while all the buildings next to it lay in ruins. After the war, several new buildings were built near the tower, and today they represent a single architectural ensemble.

The city's most visited cultural facility is the Archaeological Museum. It is housed in the old meat market building constructed in the late 16th century. The same building accommodates interesting shops and cafes. The museum has a rich collection of archaeological finds discovered during the exploration of the city and its surrounding areas.