SPA
Entertainment:
A discussion of Belgian culture may lead to a discussion of both those aspects of cultural life shared by 'all' or most Belgians, regardless of their language, and also the differences between the cultural communities. Each community has its own administrative and political representation: the Flemish community, the German-speaking community of Belgium and the French Community in Belgium.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, cultural life has tended to concentrate within each community. The shared element is clearly much less important as there are no universities that are both Dutch and French speaking (except the royal military academy), no common media, and no single, common large cultural or scientific organisation where both main communities are represented.
Museums:
Museum of the Principality of Stavelot-Malmedy:
For over a millennium, from the day it was founded by Saint Remacle to the French Revolution, the Abbey Principality of Stavelot-Malmedy exerted its economic, political, religious and artistic influence upon an extensive territory stretching far beyond the borders of Belgium, from the Loire to the Germanic Empire.
Spa-Francorchamps Racetrack Museum:
Wrapped in a curtain of greenery between Stavelot, Malmedy and Spa, scene of so many car and motorcycling exploits, the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack is still considered by many racing drivers as the 'most beautiful track in the world'.
The Museum, located in Abbey's magnificent vaulted cellars, retraces the prestigious history of the track. Original visual documents, educational panels and a continually renewed presentation of exceptional vehicles retrace the passion of the competition, from the pioneers to the present day: Ferrari, March, Chevron, Porsche, Cooper Formula 1, but also the epic 24-hour motor and motorcycle races, take on a new dimension. The "Demoiselles de Herstal", the name people gave to the motorcycles built in Herstal, conjure up nostalgic memories of the hours of glory of the Liège-based industries: FN, Gillet and Saroléa.
A large scale model and Playstation 2 consoles make the track even more concrete for motor racing enthusiasts.
Guillaume Apollinaire Museum:
The Guillaume Apollinaire Museum evokes the poet's stay in the region and immerses visitors in the artistic universe of the author of "Chanson du Mal-Aimé". A journey of initiation through the cult work of one of the 19th century's outstanding personalities, through his writings and through the eyes of Picasso, Chagall, Marie Laurencin, Cocteau, Zadkine
Liege Cathedral:
Only in 1801, this church got promoted to cathedral, when its predecessor, the Saint-Lambert's cathedral was destructed in 1796 during the French Revolution. It is said that its rubble was left till 1826. There is not much left from the original Romanesque church.
Under the sacristy there is still an early Romanesque crypt. The nave, along with the transept and the choir were rebuilt between 1230 and 1289 in early gothic style. The ceiling in the nave is more recent though.
The church has interesting stained glass, partially remaining from the 16th century. The church treasure is remarkable, not at least because of what was recuperated from the ancient cathedral. On the groundfloor, it has the largest wall gallery from Europe. You will find there a wold-famous bust of Saint-Lambert, made before 1512 in Aix-la-Chapelle, and containing a part of his skull. It is the largest, Late gothic bust.
Val Saint-Lambert Crystal Factory:
In a marshy plain at Citeaux, a simple monastery rises from the ground. This is the seed that would, within two centuries, produce the burgeoning life of Cistercian abbeys to be found from France to Byzantium, from the Brittany peninsula to Scandinavia - not forgetting Belgium! The revolution of 1789 marked its downfall. 1796 marked the end of occupation of the site by the Cistercians. Only a few elements remained of the gigantic beamed roofs, the others gave way to a modern restoration and steel farm buildings.
In 1826 this cradle of Cistercian spirituality at Val Saint-Lambert was transformed into a radiant centre for the crystal industry.
Today, the Val Saint-Lambert has a presence in over forty countries, from the U.S.A., Saudi Arabia and Spain to Japan. Supplier to Royal Families, producer of prestigious unique pieces and trophies, Val Saint-Lambert is also famous for its superb creations of "double coloured cut" crystal. Val Saint-Lambert today also produces, very successfully, a sober and seductive range of clear crystal that it calls "The Val in Everyday Life". A modern style and user-friendliness combine to give birth to simple, solid and beautiful objects (glasses, tumblers, vases and ashtrays) designed for everyday use.
A visit to Val Saint-Lambert is food for thought and a feast for the eyes. In half a day, you will be transported through 7 centuries of art, appreciate first hand the genius of the craftsmen at work, and marvel at the enormous output of more than a thousand hand-made items produced at Val Saint-Lambert.
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