利用者:OliveriSchultz243
In virtue of its long history of conquests, monarch shifts and constant transforming of neighboring European countries, Belgian people cultivated and endeavored to preserve its cultural, religious and ethnic customs, which made them a powerful national entity nowadays regardless of the unity of discrepant Flanders on the north and Walloon around the south. The most powerful centers of long-standing traditions could be met in small towns situated all over the country. Besides conservation of architectural masterpieces in face of medieval and gothic castles and cathedrals, Belgian settlements can be called also the focuses of folk art, particularly, ancient crafts (lace, carpet weaving, handicraft production paintings, copper utensils, and tanning arms) and national holidays of local folklore.
Within this context, you should introduce several towns of Belgium, which during the entire history of the country successfully maintained their position of local cultural centers.
Midway between Brussels and Antwerpen the city of Mechelen is situated, the main center of carillon music, or perhaps in other words, the bell ringing. Particularly, the carillon of St. Rumbold's Cathedral is one of the best and many famous in Europe. Carillon Bells, a total of 49 pieces, were cast at different times, starting from the 16th century towards the mid-20th. The largest bell, known as El Salvador, includes a weight of almost 9 tons and there's yet another a minimum of of the same weight. The entire quantity of bells is 98 units, and also the total weight is nearly 80 tons. This town may also offer you a trip to the Toy Museum, where you could find Barbies', Lego's and other collection, along with a privately run Clocks and Watches Museum with 1000 timepieces lovingly collected over the years.
Turnehout is, practically, the oldest town (province) in Belgium as it was referenced to by Roman authors in fifth century. Taking into consideration its long storytelling, there are many places to visit in this city, among which Renaissance building produced by the English King Henry VIII. In Dark ages Torenhout was well-known gobelin tapestry center in Europe, that is a distinctive feature of local art craft. Among interesting places to attend one should take notice of the Playing Card Museum, which exhibits specific documents dating from 1100 B.C. and original playing cards (dating from 16th century).
A site of multiple hostilities, Namur (the capital of Wallon), is mostly represented by huge fortress, which updated and expanded within the centuries. Among attractions it's impossible to not go to the Félicien Rops museum, which gives a possibility to see all stages of artist's life while watching his paintings, etchings and drawings. House of Butchers, among the oldest and most impressive buildings in Namur founded in 1588-1590 years, nowadays seems to be a host building of Archaeological Museum of Walloon. Its exhibition includes a remarkable quantity of valuable artifacts found in the area in the Roman period and the reign from the Merovingians (the very first dynasty of Frankish kings, who ruled with what is now France and Belgium) towards the Dark ages. The museum displays vases, ceramics, floor mosaics, and religious objects found in tombs and houses from the Roman era.
Pekkerstad, Borstelstad or Schoenenstad - fundamental essentials nicknames obtained by picturesque town in West Flandria, Izegem. It's one of those national settlements, whose craft heart-warming tradition became a distinctive feature; particularly, it's related to the brush-making and shoe-making manufacture, the introduction of that is shown in National Shoe Museum. Being a spot of tourist destination, this establishment demonstrates an in depth way how footwear is made by hand, a history of shoes in the mean of foot protection up to a indication of prestige and shoe collections of other countries.