BELGIUM

Location - Western Europe; Capital - Brussels; Population - 11 million; Currency - Euro MORE BELGIUM

My tour of western Europe enclaves began in the Belgian town of Lier, close to Antwerp. It's an appealing place for a quick stop en route to my first enclave, Baarle - April 2014.

Belgium is part of the Euro Zone

The focus of Lier is the Grote Markt, lined by a row of bar-restaurants - Lier

In the centre of the Grote Markt is the Stadhuis (town hall) - Lier

The best place I found for a beer was at Zimmerplein, shown here with Zimmertoren at the end.
The tower is famous for its ancient and very fancy clock - Lier

Across the water and on towards the Grote Markt - Lier

A picturesque section of the canal that meanders through the centre of Lier

All peaceful and quiet on the canal - Lier

St Gummaruskerk looms large from Aragonstraat - Lier

St Gummaruskerk is a huge Gothic church - Lier

Construction of St Gummaruskerk began in the 14th century though the tower dates to the 18th century - Lier

Begijnhoven were refuges for Catholic women that sprung up from the 12th century across Belgium and the Netherlands - Lier

On my way back from the old quarter to the train station and on to Baarle via Turnhout - Lier

Website and content Copyright © 2008-2016 Mark Wilkinson. All rights reserved.

LINKS

www.visitbelgium.com - the Belgian tourist office

www.visitflanders.com - visit Flanders

www.toerismelier.be - visit Lier

www.eurostar.com - Eurostar train from London to Paris, lier and more

I am not responsible for the content of external websites.