SAINT HUBERT BELGIUM
White Stags and Soaring in the Ardennes
The
town of St. Hubert in the midst of the Ardennes forest between Brussels
and Luxembourg is named for the Saint Hubert of Liege, a 7th Century
nobleman relative of the Aquitaine counts who turned to religion when
he saw a crucifix between the antlers of a large white stag deer
he was about to kill. Or so the legend goes. A Benedictine Abbey was
named for
St. Hubert (Hubertus) when his bones were moved from his burial place
in Liege to what was then Andage in south
east Belgium after his death in 728. A place of 
pilgrimage during the
middle ages, the monastery and
Abbey of St. Hubert fell on hard times and the saint’s remains
consisting of two thigh bones disappeared during the reformation. The
abbey and monastery were sold off in 1797. Saint Hubert from his hunting
escapades is known as the patron saint of hunters and woodsmen, as well
as mathematicians and metallurgists. He was also widely invoked in the
middle ages to heal rabies. Saint Hubert’s Feast Day is celebrated
on the 3rd of November in remembrance of the transfer of his relics in
825.
The
central market square where fairs are commonly held on weekends, the
Basilica of St. Hubert of chalk stone dominates the center of the
village. The church is a product of constructions from the 13th to 17th
Centuries. The front entrance and outside is Romanesque but inside is early
Gothic. Built on three levels with great pillars of 
parti-colored stone
in the
mid-continental Gothic style. The basilica appears a little heavy and
somber gray from the outside but once through the massive doors the nave
soars
to the vaulted ceiling. The early church interior is decorated with later
baroque period elements. With a mix of Ionic, Corinthian and Tuscan columns.
A clock and later period domes bell towers were added to the original
medieval facade. The Abbots Palace surrounding the basilica, painted
in bright colors of the 18th Century are now public city buildings and
exhibition spaces.
The
region of Saint Hubert today prides itself as the center of hunting and
outdoor activities in the Ardennes forest, proudly proclaiming itself
as the “European Capital of Hunting and Nature”. For three
days on the first weekend of September, the International Hunting and
Nature days are held, with medieval costumed participants celebrating
the medieval hunting legacy of the Ardennes, featuring the local ancient
breed of St. Hubert’s hounds from which 
the English Blood Hound
is descended. In spring the village of Tenneville celebrates Pancake
Tuesday with great bonfires lighting the nights. The area offers a number
of hiking, biking, horse riding and kayaking centers. Hiking and mountain
biking maps are available for local trails, the TransArdennes and the
tourist route Forest Road (Route de Forets). A walking map of the site
of St. Hubert is available for history strolls.In nearby villages can
be found the Museum of Celts in Libramont and a Museum
of
Wallonia
Belgium
Farm Life. In the village of Mirwart is the 17th Century Chateau of Mirwart. For
an active monastery the Trappist monks of Orval about 20 miles south
still brew their famous beer (see Orval
Abbey).
If
St. Hubert had lived in a later time he might have been the patron saint
of sail planes. The Aerodrome of St Hubert a few miles from town
offers the best chance to see the Ardennes forest hills from the air.
Several pilot centers at the small St Hubert airport offer glider
rides as well as pilot training. Worth a stop when the weather’s
good to soar over the trees and river valleys.
St Hubert is about 10 miles from Neufchâteau to the southeast and
Bastogne to the east with its World War II history
(See Battle
of the Bulge Museums and Monuments). A local tour company
give safari tours Safari
Ardennes in classic jeeps of the region. © Bargain
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SEE ALSO:
DURBUY
VILLAGE ON THE OURTHE RIVER
BOUILLON
GODFREY'S CRUSADER CASTLE
WATERLOO
BATTLEGROUND MUSEUMS
FLANDERS
FIELDS WWI MUSEUMS AND MONUMENTS
