Belgium - The Mosan citadels

"Throughout the 151 km of its route in Wallonia, the Meuse defines a valley remarkable for its vertical scale and the presence of numerous rocky outcrops. From Givet to Namur, it crosses the Famenne and the Condruz plateau perpendicular to its west - west fold and prints a trench more than 100 m deep. Downstream from Namur, it marks the transition between the plateaux condruzien and hesbignon and digs its bed a little less than 100 m of the reliefs that border it. This difference in level, although diminishing, is maintained downstream from Liège. Such relief is a significant natural barrier and provides strategic points to support a defense system. During the history of many oppidum, dungeons, castles, forts and citadels were erected on the Moslem peaks. Many have disappeared and remain only in toponymy or as archaeological sites. Some, reduced to ruins, fuel the imagination and give a romantic image of the river. However, three citadels reached us and kept their military function until the second half of the twentieth century. In Dinant, the "barred spur" type site has been occupied since the 11th century when, on the initiative of the Prince Bishop of Liège, a castle and a chapel are built."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List


Wow... Citadel Walls of Dinant. Thanks to Marcel of Germany who visited Dinant in Belgium. Received in November 2019.
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