"Lier, Schoon Lier" Lier by irisbe

Lier Travel Guide: 185 reviews and 435 photos

Once in history......

Lier, who ever heard of it? Lost in space and time, it still remaines a small but gentle little city that hides in the shadow of nowaday's bigger Antwerp.

Once, Lier was a very blooming and important city that earned its city priviledges already in 1212! It was a very rich city.
Raped by Vikings, who came sailing up the river, in times the North Sea was not retreated as it has now.

A future Saint, Sint Gumarus lived here. He commited several miracles during his life.

Lier, laughed at by others because wrong choices were made that would influence the rest of its future in a sad way:
Lier could have been the university city in favour of Leuven, but it choose to have a cattle (sheep) market. For those who know Leuven, they can imagine what a terrible mistake this was!
It would provide the inhabitants of Lier the nickname they carry ever since: Sheepheads!

I hope to retrieve a little more info to add later on.

If you are in the neighborhood of Antwerp, then don't miss out visiting this city. "Lierke plezierke", translated "Lier, the city where every one loves to have fun", is really worth at least half a day, but you can easily spend more time there! Depends on your interests and sportive mood and the day(s) you choose to visit.

Lier is easily accessable by car, by train, by bicycle, by bus.
More about it in the tips later on, as this page will progress.

Highlights of the city

Lier Beguinage

The landmarks of Lier are:
Zimmertower
Saint Gumaruschurch
Beguinage

Worth visiting are:
Except from the above, try to visit
-Timmermans-Van Opsomer Museum
-City musuem Wuyts-Van Campen
-Visit the pidgeon market

If you are sportive you could:
cycle along the Nete canal
make a boat trip on the Nete canal
you can cycle and make a visit to the horse milk farm at the Brabanderhof, where you can enjoy the special breed of Belgian pull horses (sorry don't know the exact English name, but these are the huge strong horses they used on the fields).

If all this made you thirsty and hungry then:
you can enjoy a cool drink on one of the many pubs. Most favorite spot is now at the Zimmerplein and the Eikelstraat.
don't forgt to taste one of those special Lierse Vlaaikes, a soft cake in a crispy jacket. You can buy them in package at the local bakery or have them with a cofee in one of the tavernes.

Lier has signalisation for walking, cycling and driving tracks. More about it in upcoming tips.

You can ask....

Sint Gumarus church

People who had the chance to visit me and stayed long enough, were amongst the lucky ones I could take to this city.

I brought DJOatlarge here Summer 2002, he made such beautiful pictures you can check his pages at his extern site with this Flanders pictures.

I also brought my Sri Lankan friend here for a short visit late November 2002.

The 9th of August I went to visit Lier with Tom and Gonnie (Tompt) and Rudy (Diamonddog).
We had a great walk and picture taking sessions, ate Lierse Vlaaikens and drank a Caves bier, which is not brewed at Lier anymore, but used to be.
Pictures of their visit.

In October 2003 I visited again with Aadil, my friend from India. We sure have explored a lot of places: Saint Gumarus Church, the Zimmertower (which left a huge impression on him), the 2 city musea, and we hopped into the Vleeshal to catch a slide show of .... traveling, held by a local photoclub, coincidential!
Pictures of his visit to Lier.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Lovely, cosy, city to walk, cycle
Cons:pitty some places are only open to public with an official guide and in group
In a nutshell:a not to miss place at a jump distance from Antwerp

Last visit to Lier: Aug 2002
Intro Updated Mar 2, 2004
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Reviews (14)

People from all over the world come to visit - Lier

Zimmer's atelier and Wonder clock Part 2 Things to Do (6)

The wonder clock consists out of many clocks that makes every astronomical fan goes drooling. If you are really... more travel advice

Zimmer atelier seen from the canals - Lier

Zimmer's atelier and Wonder clock part 1 Things to Do (6)

Next to the Zimmer tower you can find the Zimmer pavilion. In here you are welcomed to marvel at the Wonder clock. This... more travel advice

Canal boat trip Things to Do (6)

De Moedige Bootvissers will take you on a short (half an hour) canal boat upon the Kleine Nete, the original small river... more travel advice

Saint Gumarus church Favorites (4)

This is a picture of the Saint Gumarus church in Lier. It is a very nice and historical church you can visit (if you pay... more travel advice

Transportation (2)
See All Make it easy on yourself!
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Travelogues (3)

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Comments (11)

aussirose Aug 14, 2010 at 6:21 PM Report Abuse

Hiya Dannie. Looking forward to staying the night here next year!! Thanks for the taking a pic of the clock tip! :o) Hopefully we can have a vt meet too! :o) Cheers, Ann.
chbuchie Nov 21, 2005 at 7:14 AM Report Abuse

Na Praag moet ik de Zimmertoren eens bezoeken. Toffe pagina ! Kan je me op de hoogte houden als er nog es een VT meeting in A'pen doorgaat? alvast bedankt, C
jackfruit Apr 17, 2004 at 6:15 PM Report Abuse

I wasnt one of the lucky VTers to visit Lier with you - but maybe on my next trip? This page is awesome and I finally got to see what the Zimmertower was all abt! Thanks!
martin.lees Dec 30, 2003 at 12:51 PM Report Abuse

You truly have some great places on your pages. I stumbled on this lovely place and its great to know more about it. Thanks
aadil Oct 9, 2003 at 6:11 PM Report Abuse

It was nice of you to share this little town with me and even one day is not enough to explore it well!!! Seeing the Zimmer Tower and the Brueghels made my day!!! Most impressive little town I ever visited!!! Thanks a lot, Danielle!!!
tompt Aug 17, 2003 at 1:26 AM Report Abuse

Wow, the pictures of us, are better than the pictures by us....... The beer was delicious though!!
irisbe Aug 15, 2003 at 12:41 PM Report Abuse

ah caroline! nog maar juist aan begonnen en ja eerst de belangrijkste dingen `-) c u 2 morrow!
B_Caro Aug 15, 2003 at 12:38 PM Report Abuse

Seems like you had fun (I never doubt that !) I always like the part "VTers in actions", especially with a beer ! lol ;-) CU tomorrow.
TinKan Mar 21, 2003 at 6:49 AM Report Abuse

Lier??? I will be back to look at the Lier page later..... So where is Lier?
olja1234 Dec 15, 2002 at 7:18 AM Report Abuse

Hope it'll be corrected. I'd like to see your Lier's page soon