Visiting Place des Nations-Unies, Liège, Belgium: Residential Square on the Former Plaine Des Vennes
Recalling the Plaine des Vennes developed for the Universal Exhibition of 1905
Place des Nations-Unies, Liège, in Belgium's Walloon region (French: Région wallonne), might date from its naming from after World War Two, but the surrounding area — the Plaine des Vennes — was first developed for the Universal Exhibition of 1905 (1), Liège. I have supplied a copy, above, of an official poster for the event. In the photo of the poster, the Plaine des Vennes is clearly visible.
Close to Place des Nations-Unies is Avenue du Luxembourg (see photo, below), which has many houses with ornate frontages which date from the early 20th century. Also visible in the photo in the distance is Eglise Saint-Vincent (1), dating from 1930, the dome of which is a well known and highly conspicuous landmark in Liège, overlooking the Meuse River, at Quai Mativa.
Even closer to Places des Nations-Unies than the Meuse RIver is the Ourthe River, which flows into the Meuse at Quai Mativa.
June 24, 2019
Notes
(1) This world fair received 7 million visitors, and was held between April 27 and November 6, 1905. The exhibition was first due to be held in 1903, but pushed back to 1905, whereupon it was deemed to be in commemoration both of Belgium's 75 years of independence and of 40 years of the reign of King Leopold II of the Belgians (1835-1909). In fact, the driving force behind the exhibition was for it to be a showcase for Belgian manufactured goods, known for their quality and abundance given the fact that Belgium was the world's second industrialized country, after Great Britain.
(2) The architect of Eglise Saint-Vincent, Liège, was Robert Toussaint; the structure was noted in its use of copper for its conspicuous dome and of reinforced concrete.
Some sourcing: Wikipedia
Also worth seeing
In Liège itself, visitor attractions include: the Fine Arts Palace (French: Palais des Beaux-Arts), in the Parc de la Boverie on Outremeuse Island; the Cointe Basilica and other, fine ecclesiastical architecture, some of it Medieval; the Zénobe Gramme Monument close to the Fragnée Bridge; the Perron; the Bueren Mountain; the equestrian statue of Charlemagne, and many others.
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How to get there: Brussels Airlines flies from New York (JFK) to Brussels Airport, where car hire is available (distance from Brussels Airport to Liège : 94 kilometres). The Belgian railroad company SNCB maintains a service from Brussels to Liège . Some facilities may be withdrawn, without notice. You are advised to check with the airline or your travel agent for up to date information. Please refer to appropriate consular sources for any special border crossing arrangements which may apply to citizens of certain nationalities.
MJFenn is an independent travel writer based in Ontario, Canada.
Other of my hubpages may also be of interest
- Visiting Liège, Belgium: Remembering the Hôtel Rigo
A building in Liège, Belgium, over a century old and known as the Hôtel Rigo, in Neo-Mosan style, has been demolished despite a public outcry. - Visiting the Prince-Bishops' Palace, Liège, Belgium: Remembering a Rather Different Form of Governme
In the Palace of the Prince-Bishops lies a lot of Liège's history; and even in recent history the building's precise identity has been a matter of debate.
