Namur is a small town located at the mouth of the Samba River to the Meuse, which is dominated by a citadel built in the 17th century. A lot of historic buildings from the late Renaissance and Baroque periods have also been preserved.
Namur has been inhabited since Roman times, and the first fortress on a rocky hill in the fork of Sambra and Meuse was built by the Merovingians. Due to its strategic location, the city was heavily fortified and repeatedly besieged by armies of various provinces. At the end of the 17th century, the medieval walls fell under the pressure of the French army of Louis XIV. and the king after capturing the city ordered the construction of a modern fortress here. One of the greatest military engineers of that time, Sébastien Vauban, took care of the construction. His work is visible on the hill to this day, and the Counts castle on the edge of the hill offers a magnificent view of the river valleys and town.
Its buildings are located on the rivers and consists of charming tenement houses with decorated facades. The decoration of the historic center is the late baroque St. Aubina and the medieval bell tower of Beffroi. Walking among the streets you can also see the Walloon parliament seat, which formerly served as a hospice and a 17th century arsenal.
