Willkommen: Dinant

While we were at Mini Europe, one of the models that we saw was of this church and citadel at Dinant. We were headed to Bastogne anyway, and it wasn't too far off the path, so we stopped to check it out. It was really beautiful and incredible.

A little history for my Dad: The name for the town of Dinant was first recorded about 800 BC. The first fortress was built at this spot about 1040 and the first bridge about 1080. A tiny town in those days, Dinant's main activity was manufacturing copper. The industry thrived, but the town and castle were destroyed by Charles the Bold in 1466. Eight hundred copper beaters were tied together in pairs and flung into the River Meuse.

The castle was rebuilt in 1523, whereupon the economic life of the town flourished again.

The town was occupied by Louis XIV from 1675 to 1698, when the castle was given a major facelift. From 1818 to 1821, the castle was once again destroyed and then rebuilt by the dutch to produce the Citadel we know today. During the struggle for Belgium's independence (1830) the Citadel was taken over by Belgian partisans. It was demilitarized in 1868, at a time when tourists were turning their attention to the Meuse Valley.

Finally, sold to the public in 1878, it became the scene of violent conflicts during both World Wars.

There is a 408-step stairway that dates back to 1577. It has survived to the present day.

We opted for the cable lift.

Here is a shot from the very strange women's restroom. There was that red heat lamp thing, a stuffed animal with a sign announcing the 40 Eurocent charge for the restroom (which I paid to the plate, but got my money's worth, taking myself, Brigham, and using the changing table for Ben). Anyway, the whole thing was just kind of creepy.

It had a really nice view though!

There was an old airplane and big gun right near the playground.

And a really fun playground for the kids, but we had to hurry, because we only paid for 2 hours of parking again. (it's hard to know how long these places will take...and parking is pricey. Not as pricey as the very small box of tampons that I had to buy from the corner store, but pricey, nonetheless.)

This shows how well we were able to pay attention during the tour, which was all in French. To be honest, all tours may as well be in French for me. I don't retain much anyway (the facts at the beginning were plagiarized from the pamphlet they gave us...).

At the top of the fortress.

So you know how the Alamo doesn't have a basement? Well, the Citadel has one. And what would you expect to be in the basement of a 1000 year old fortress? Of course, a touring Disney sand sculpture exhibit!!