Stavelot Attractions
The little town of Stavelot, 9km/5.5miles southwest of Malmédy on the Amblève, can look back on a great history as an independent princely abbey. The surroundings, especially the valley of the Amblève, are ideal for excursions on foot in the quiet woods on the southern edge of the Hohe Venn.
In 648 and 650 St Remaclus founded in Stavelot and in Malmédy two abbeys which soon adopted the Benedictine rule, and from which the princely abbey of Stavelot-Malmédy was formed. Under the direct authority of the kingdom they experienced, between the 10th and 13th C. in the time of the prince-abbots Poppo and Wibald, the zenith of their spiritual and cultural development, and they produced unique articles of Maasland metal- and goldsmiths' work which can be seen today in many museums all over the world. Their decline was instigated by the destructive Normans, and in the 17th C. the soldiers of Louis XIV, and in 1794 French revolutionaries continued the destruction. The Second World War added to the tribulations of Stavelot.
In 648 and 650 St Remaclus founded in Stavelot and in Malmédy two abbeys which soon adopted the Benedictine rule, and from which the princely abbey of Stavelot-Malmédy was formed. Under the direct authority of the kingdom they experienced, between the 10th and 13th C. in the time of the prince-abbots Poppo and Wibald, the zenith of their spiritual and cultural development, and they produced unique articles of Maasland metal- and goldsmiths' work which can be seen today in many museums all over the world. Their decline was instigated by the destructive Normans, and in the 17th C. the soldiers of Louis XIV, and in 1794 French revolutionaries continued the destruction. The Second World War added to the tribulations of Stavelot.
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Ancient Abbey
The Abbey of Stavelot maintains portions from the 16th C, but much of what is visible today is from the 8th C. The abbey was dissolved during the French Revolution and has since served many purposed. Today it houses three museums.
Carnival
The carnival activities of Stavelot take place in mid Lent (Wednesday or Thursday in spring) in the form of a procession with more than 1000 participants. Several hundred "Blanc Moussis" in white hooded cloaks and masks with long red noses accompany the procession and pummel the spectators with blown-up sheep's bladders.
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Coo, Belgium
(Near Stavelot)
The city of Coo is famous for its waterfalls which are illuminated at night.
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Grottes de Remouchamps
(Vallée de l'Amblève)
These caves known as the Grottes de Remouchamps were discovered in the early 18th C and feature a fantastic formation called the "Cathedral".
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Vallée de l'Amblève
Vallée de l'Amblève, with the Amblève River winding through, is a picturesque area popular with walkers and canoeists.
Circuit National de Spa-Francorchamps
Not far east of Stavelot lies the Circuit National de Spa-Francorchamps, one of the finest and most famous motor-racing circuits in the world. The 14.1km/46.25mi circuit traverses the woods of the Ardennes with numerous curves and gradients. Every year international motor sports events are held here including Formula I meetings and motorcycle master championships. Part of the circuit is on a public road and ordinary motorists can in fact drive on it. The stands for spectators are at the starting and finishing points.
Attractions in Other Popular Destinations
