Lier Town Hall, Lier, Belgium

The present Lier Town Hall is the former clothmakers’ hall. In 1740 architect Jan Pieter de Bauerscheit the Younger substantially renovated the building, converting it into Brabant rococo style. It was designed as a large mansion adjacent to the Gothic Belfry. The council chamber is in Louis XV style. Special features worthy of note are the elegant oak spiral staircase, the painted ceiling in the council chamber, the wrought-iron work of art 'Fighting the Dragon' by Louis van Boeckel and a large collection of paintings and antiques.

In 1369 Hendrik Mijs built a Gothic belfry next to the clothmakers' hall. It stands as a symbol of freedom and independance. In the Middle Ages the town’s deeds and freedoms were kept in the belfries, as was the arsenal, and the town council’s assembly room was also to be found there.

Since 1971 the tower has housed a small automatic carillon with 23 bells. Together with 23 other belfries the Lier belfry was recognised by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1999.

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Nani A (2 years ago)
From the metal fence outside to the chandeliers and other pieces of art inside, the Lier-born metalworks’ sculptor Louis van Boeckel adds that little something extra to the Lier city hall. Rooms on the ground floor are open to the public and are worth stopping in to check out. The gentlemen that were working there that day were art enthusiasts who shared the history of the building and the works of art by van Boeckel and other artists. An unexpected highlight of the day-trip to Lier! Stop in, if only for a few minutes and admire it.

Stefan et Annie PFLÜGER (4 years ago)
very nice place to stroll on a sunny day

Devogelaere Patrick (4 years ago)
Beautiful old architecture

Bill ES. (5 years ago)
Lovely place

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

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