Surroundings, Huy

Related Attractions

Amay, Belgium

On the left bank of the Meuse, on the edge of the Hesbaye, is situated the little town of Amay 8km/5mi northeast of Huy. A visit to the church of Saint-George-et-Saintr Ode is highly recommended. It was begun in 1089 in Mosan Romanesque; the nave and west porch are still from that period, with the other parts being 16th-18th C. additions. During restoration work a seventh C. sarcophagus was found below the choir with the inscription "Santa Chrodoara", possibly the coffin of Saint Ode. Also worth seeing are the magnificent high altar (17th-18th C.) and the treasury.

Reliquary of Saints

The reliquary shrine of Saints Ode and George constitute a masterpiece of Mosan gold work.

The shrine (around 1230) made of gold-hammered copper has pictures of the two saints on its end wall and on its side walls the 12 apostles. The depiction of St George idealized as a medieval knight is particularly impressive. Below the sacristy, where further valuable religious works of art are on show, the remains of Roman building were found.

Château de Jehay

The château of Jehay, 10km/6miles northeast of Huy, has under its roof one of the most interesting archaeological collections in Belgium, in addition to noteworthy paintings. On the site of a Romanesque castle the present day château was built in the 16th C. in an L-shape with characteristic checkered facade, surrounded by park land with ponds and lakes.

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Art Collection

The extensive art collection of the present owner Guy van den Steen is displayed in some rooms of the house. It includes tapestries (Brussels, Aubusson), paintings (Tintoretto, Bruegel, Murillo, Peter Lely), Mosan gold work and much more; notable individual pieces are a clock by Porlaine, commissioned by Marie-Antoinette, and the lace bridal veil of the wife of the Duke of Marlborough in a room devoted to this English commander.

Archeological Collection

In the Gothic vaults of the château alongside a speleological collection is the impressive archaeological collection which features a unique bone ice-skate and a prehistoric pipe made of human bone.