To age-old gold. Tongeren’s antique market

Every Sunday morning in Tongeren is antique market which is the largest in the Benelux. Of course if you are real treasure hunter, you must get up early, but we ( I and my host family) came there before noon. We didn’t miss anything because our aim was to see this amazing market and Tongeren town.

This was something amazing! All these old pictures, paintings, furniture, masks, dishes, statuettes, toys, jewelry etc. Each object has it own history. Visiting this market, seeing history and atmosphere that was there – it feels like you coming back in 19 and 20 century.  

Do you want mask like this in your bedroom? :)

Every building even street has fascinating history because Tongeren is the oldest city in Belgium (Roman period). The city Centre has numerous of monuments and buildings that were built over the centuries. For me this city is amazing with its history. Only  that I can say –woooow!!!!!

Of course we went to the Marsh Gate but this day it was closed so we didn’t enjoy a beautiful panorama of the city centre but we saw it from outside. This building was made in 1379 and it looks very good even after such a long time. 

Marsh Gate

After antique market we went to Basilica of Our Lady. That kind of basilicas I saw in my art history book in secondary school. Now I understand way the Basilica is the most medieval relic in the province of Limburg. It looks amazing!!!  From the minute you make first step in this Basilica magic feeling takes over you. It is surprising that someone made this building – es ist fantastich!!!  All interior, statues are beautiful and miraculous. 

Basilica of Our Lady

 

We couldn’t see all interesting and tourist places in Tongeren ‘cause we didn’t have so much time to do that. I will go there again to see Gallo- Roman Museum which is the most popular tourist place. Tongeren, I will be back. :)