Belgium city of Tongeren

Tongeren the oldest city in Belgium. When a town promotes itself as the oldest in Belgium, it’s tempting to wonder how much evidence of this claim is still visible.

Visit Tongeren, and its credentials are right in front of you: city walls that date from the first century; a Roman archaeological site from the fourthis one of the few towns in the Flemish part of the country to have well-attested Gallo-Romans origins. Under the Roman emperor Tiberius, the town was even larger than today and was enclosed within a huge wall, large sections of which still remain. The Roman road from Bavay to Cologne went through it. Destroyed successively by the Franks and the Normans, the town went through a revival in the 12th century. Its basilica of Carolingian origin was completely rebuilt from the 13th to the 16th centuries. In style, it bears more resemblance to Mosan architecture. Until 1796, the town belonged to the principality of Liege.

One of the most picturesque parts of Tongeren is undoubtedly the beguinage. Founded in the mid-13th century, it’s one of the oldest in Flanders. The reason for its charm is that it’s not enclosed like many other beguinages but is open, extending over a number of narrow streets. It’s like discovering a village within a town. In 1998 it was identified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A bequinage is from a French word, which means house of nuns who live in a community together.

A pleasant way to explore the town is via the waymarked Ambiorix route. This 4. 5 km city walk will take you to all the interesting sites.

For more than 30 years, Tongeren has become a lively town on Sunday mornings, already early in the morning. More than 350 exhibitors and about forty antique shops display their best merchandise to the numerous visitors of the largest antique and flea market. On Sunday morning Tongeren becomes an international town and the place to be for a growing number of Dutch, German, French, British and American visitors. They are all looking for that “unique” antique or flea market piece. The visit to the antique and flea market can be completed with a visit to the town centre or a visit to an outdoor café or a tasteful restaurant as a guarantee for a successful trip. Easily accessible in the province of Limburg and well known for its famous cherry beer Lambic Krieks! !