Mons Sights and Landmarks Guide, Belgium

Although the city of Mons is a provincial capital, tourists frequently fail to notice the entire splendor it has to offer. This should not be the case since Mons, just like the Belgian cities of Brussels and Liege, boasts many stunning attractions. Visitors to this city will not find any scarcity of places to explore.

Mons Sights – Notable City Landmarks

Mons Sights has plenty of landmarks that are fascinating both architecturally and historically. All through the city, people will find several buildings which dominate the rest of the attractions.

Gothic Town Hall. When passing by the town square, people will see many constructions reflecting Mons’s history. However, the Gothic Town Hall stands out among these buildings. This breathtaking town hall was constructed in 1458 and designed by Mathieu de Layens. In 1718, an open bell tower was added to the building. Visitors will find a courtyard, which is a serene sanctuary, inside the town hall. From this place, a tunnel connecting the building to the garden of the mayor can be found.

Belfry Tower. Mons, just like other Belgian cities, has a belfry tower. This belfry is 87 meters high and has a style mix of late-Renaissance and Baroque giving it a distinctive look in comparison to other towers in Belgium. The Belfry Tower replaced the tower that was destroyed in the late 1400s. The tower’s topmost part is rather notable and even Victor Hugo had written something about it.

Saint Waudru Church. Probably the most striking landmark of all the attractions in Mons, this Gothic-style church was built in 1450. It took 240 years to finish this magnificent religious building. Its façade seems very plump but its interior has the perfect traces of the late gothic. Some parts of the church, which are worth noting, are the superb alabaster sculptures of the Virtues situated near the choir, the beautiful stained glass windows, and the Car d’Or, which is used during processions.

Mons Sights – Museums

The city of Mons is home to numerous appealing museums. Tourists will find many options when choosing what museums to visit. Here are a few of the most intriguing ones.

Mundaneum. This museum documents the history of Belgium’s French-speaking region. It has many files on exhibits such as newspapers and billboards. It also has collections of texts on anarchism, peace, and feminism. The Mundaneum opens at 12pm and closes at 6pm every Tuesday to Saturday.

Museum of Fine Arts. The museum was constructed in 1908 and was later recreated in 1970 based on the design of Ernest Vandestrate. The displays on this museum include countless 19th and 20th century etchings, paintings, and sculptures created by the residents of Mons and the Hainaut province. Tourists can visit the museum from Tuesdays to Saturdays at 12pm to 6pm and on Sundays at 10am to 6pm.

Museum of Natural History. This is known as one of the most attractive natural historical museums in the country. It has a wide range of flora and fauna species found in Belgium and other countries of Europe. When in this museum, do not forget to look at the skeleton of Julius Koch, who was also known as Constantine the Giant. The skeleton measures 2 meters and 56 centimeters. Guests may visit the museum from Monday to Friday. Opening hours are from 8:30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm.

The city’s tourist attractions are ideal for anyone who is up for a worthwhile cultural exploration. Tourists will experience the lifestyle and history of the place through Mons Sights.