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THE CITY OF DINANT
A bit of history...
This town of Celtic origin has gone through many murky periods, sometimes involved in the feudal wars, being burnt and destroyed in 1466, and sometimes involved in the endemic wars between France and Spain, being invaded in 1914. Later, Dinant went through endless fights between the inhabitants of Dinant and those of a town situated downriver on the other bank: Bouvignes. It was the time of the “dinanteries”... At that time (14th and 15th centuries), Bouvignes was a town that worked the copper and competed with Dinant. The inhabitants of Bouvignes built a tower in the riverbank, which was called Crèvecoeur (heartbreaker), insulting the citizens of Dinant. The latter, in revenge, built another tower, high and strong, which was called Montorgeuil (pride hill). |
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However, Dinant’s economy had glorious periods: the “dinanteries” (copper work) were highly prized in the Rhine valley and in the London markets. The decline of this industry throughout the 18th century made way for the tanning and the stationery, which was specialised in playing cards. It was in those days that appeared the famous “couques” of Dinant. Since the end of the 19th century, the tourist and hotel industry did not stop growing and, nowadays, it has an important place in the local economy.
We shall not forget that the town of the “copères”, name given to he citizens of Dinant because of their fame as copper workers, offers many other important sectors.
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Situated lenghtwise between the river and the rock, Dinant builds proudly the town hall and the collegiate church, with its blown-up bell tower. On the other hand, the “Citadelle”, fortress that dominates the whole town, was built in 1821 by the Dutch. But was never used. It was only occupied by the German during the Second World War, and was bombarded by the American artillery in September 1944. |
Apart from the rich history of Dinant, this town is also well-known for its parallel stories: about the towns and its inhabitants. Stories, tales and legends that have been orally transmitted up to now.
The “Citadelle” of Dinant
The fortress is situated at 100 meter above the town, and from there, the view of the Meuse is dizzy. Inside the ramparts, life-size mannequins represent the most important episodes of the European and Belgian History. Dungeons, kitchens, carriages, cannons, the Arms Museum, and many other things can be visited.
The collegiate church “Notre Dame de Dinant”
A typical church of Dinant that is worth a visit.
This church has, since 934, the rank of collegiate. It was fitted out in the 12th century, in accordance with the Romanesque architecture. In 1228, as a result of a tragic landslide of the rock, it was damaged and 36 people died. The collegiate church was reconstructed in accordance with the typical Gothic style of the Meuse valley. Later, the strange bell tower was added, and its bulb form gives a particular appearance to Dinant.
Inside the church, there are baptismal fonts dated from 1472, a Dinant copper lectern (1731) and an extraordinary stained glass window where biblical scenes are represented. This window is a masterpiece of the glazier Ladon.
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