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 Andy Hay

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Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

Lier Town Hall

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