I was in Mons for 3 days and all I could do was to just finish what I had originally planned and didn't have even half a day to stroll around... Mons is a tiny little gem that totally took me aback and the major reason is I didn't expect it to! I had read hardly any blogs on Mons and as a heritage enthusiast, this city has so much to offer. We took a day to see what the city of Mons has to offer.
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Our first stop was the Town Hall. Though when compared the Brussels Town Hall, nothing else brings that majestic awesomeness, this one is small and has its own charm. This was built in 1458-77 but the watchtower was completed only in 1717-18. That charm begins right at the entrance - the door handle and outer wall. On the outer wall is a super cute iron monkey. Its doesn't originally belong here and has been brought here and been attached here. No one actually knows the origins of this monkey. Its believed that it was once used as a 'Dunce' corner for kids who did petty crimes! Nowadays, its believed to bring luck when you touch its head with your left hand! Today, its head is so corroded and polished, thanks to the constant swiping!
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The door handle of the Town Hall is a miniature version of the Town Hall entrance itself, complete with watch tower and a guard atop the watchtower and a dog at the entrance symbolizing fidelity! Today a few rooms of the town hall are accessible through a guided tour. One of the rooms is called the Wedding hall which has a painted ceiling of 1682 and getting married here is considered special and I came across 2 weddings in that weekend! Every year, during the Doudou festival, the balcony of the Townhall would become the viewing area for the VIP guests & Mayor.
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From there my next stop was the St.Elizabeth Church. The weekend I went seemed to be a wedding special weekend! That church was also getting ready to host a wedding. The current church was built in 1715-32 at the site of an older church. Today its unmissable thanks to the contemporary art made of 30000 wooden planks, in front of it, by Arne Quinze called Passenger. Its quite a stark difference when compared to the historical charm of the locality.
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Another hidden special spot in Mons is the Mayor's Garden, located inside the Town Hall premises and should be accessed through an 'underground' street! This was built in 1930s and the view of the Belfry from here is rather interesting. Don't miss it, if you're here in Spring. We saw some gorgeous tulips too!
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That underground pathway is called the 'Luftschutzraum' which is German means Bomb shelter... a reminiscence of World War!
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Don't miss to spot this graffiti - they all are looking at the Mayor's house!!! There are some tiny little streets here that are so well decorated with graffiti & murals, thanks to the efforts in 2015 for the Cultural Capital of Europe Title! That's our city-tour guide Ms.Alice Abels, in front of one such graffiti! That wraps up Mons in My Travelogue. But I do have to visit Mons again, esp for Pairi Daiza, to introduce animals to my Atyudarini.
To Stay:
Hotels and B&Bs at all price points are available in Mons Town Centre.
Here’s my review of Hotel Dream where I stayed.
To Get There:
On Google Maps: St.Elizabeth Church, Town Hall (Monkey is located close to its door to its right and the Jardin du Mayeur is inside through Luftschutzraum).
To reach Mons: Refer to my earlier post
Entry Ticket & Timings:
Entry at all places are free.
Town Hall is accessible only through a guided tour.
Contact of our city-guide Ms.Alice Abels:
Entry at all places are free.
Town Hall is accessible only through a guided tour.
Contact of our city-guide Ms.Alice Abels:
My complete Mons travelogue: Neolithic Flint Mines at Spiennes, Grand Hornu, Bois du Luc, The 4 boat lifts on Canal and Strepy Theiu, Mons Belfry, Mundaneum, Doudou Museum, St.Waudru Church, Townhall, St.Elizabeth Church and other hidden spots!
P.S: I was invited by Visit Mons and Wallonia Tourism to experience the city for review purposes, however the opinions are my own and this post does not to advertise the product/service.