LIEGE, ht-ftzhf (Flem. Luik, Ger. Liittieh). The capital of the Belgian province of the same name, and one of the most important manufac turing centres of Belgium, situated on both banks of the Meuse at its confluence with the Ourthe, in a region remarkably picturesque (Map: Belgium. D 4). The hills which form the background of the city on both sides of the river .are fortified by a circle of detached forts. The makes an island at Liege, and divides the city into two parts, the old town on the left bank, containing the principal public buildings, and the new town on the right bank, being given up chief ly to manufacturing industries. The river is spanned here by six main bridges, of which the Pont des Arches is the most attractive. Liege has ,good water-works, electric lighting. and ex cellent local transportation. The centre of the city, the Square d'Avroy, is splendidly laid out and is adorned with an equestrian statue of Clifirlemagnc. Chief among the churches is the fine Cathedral of Saint Paul. founded in 903 and completed in 1523. It is built mainly in Gothic style, has a richly ornamented. interior, a note worthy pulpit and paintings. The splendid Church of Saint .Jacques dates from 1051i and -e*ses an attractive interior; the Basiliea of Saint Ilarthelemy is of the twelfth century, and has a remarkable bronze font of the year 1112. Among other churches may be mentioned Sainte Croix. a curious pile built in 970, but repeatedly restored since then; and Saint .Nlartin. founded in 9G and rebuilt in Gothic style in 1542. Per haps the most striking building of Liege is the Palais de Justice. it was constructed as an episcopal palace in 1508-40. and was entirely restored in IS43-50. The exterior is nrnarnented with sculptures. The most interesting part of the building is the two interior courts surrounded by vaulted arcades and (unique columns, a mix ture of Gothic and Renaissance. Some of the rooms in the building are furnished with royal splendor. The building contains. besides the law court and the provincial administration offices, an interesting archaeological museum. The the atre is a modern building (1808-22) modeled after the OdAon in Paris. In front of it stands a bronze statue of the composer GriRry, who was born here. The university buildings are also modern and scattered all over the city. The university, founded in I s17 by the Dutch Govern ment, is a State institution, has faculties of phi losophy, jurisprudence. mathematics and natural sciences, medicine and technology, with an at tendance of about 1100 students. including 200 foreigners. Its natural history nmseum is rich in the remains of antediluvian animals found in caverns in the district. Attached to the univer
sity are a library of 200.000 volumes. anatomical and physiological institutes, a chemical labora tory, and a zoOlogical institute. The other im portant educational institutions of Liege are the Ecole des Mines et des Arts et Manufactures and the Eenle Electro-Teehnique, both affiliated with the university: a seminary for teachers. an episcopal seminary, an academy of art, a royal conservatory of music (attended by 600 pupils and famous for its teaching of stringed instru ments). institutions for the blind and the deaf and dumb, and a number of scientific organiza tions.
The municipal museum. situated in the old cloth hall, contains a small collection of paint ings. chiefly by native artists. Liege has both zoillogieal and hotanieal gardens. From the lofty citadel. erceted in 1650. there is a magnifi cent view. industrially the city is noted for its extensive manufactures of weapons. which give employment to a large portion of the artisan population. A characteristic feature about this branch of production is that it is still carried on as a house industry. Naturally, however, it has begun to feel the effect of the competition of other countries where the industry is more mod ern in its organization. ' Among the larger weapon-factories may be mentioned the royal gun-factory and cannon-foundry. The proximity of rich coal-mines makes Liege an important iron and steel centre, its product. including different tools and instruments. heavy machinery, needled, nails. etc. Watches, gold and silver articles, mirrors, cloth. leather, paper, oil. and chicory are al•O among the manufactures. and Liege has large zinc-foundries. Its commerce is of great extent; there is considerable navigation in the port. Liege is the seat of a bishop and a United States consul. Population. in 1890, 147,660; in 1900, 173.706, chiefly 1Valloons (q.v.).
The city is believed to have had its origin in a Roman colony. It became the residence of a bishop at the beginning of the eighth century, and its history may be epitomized as a continual struggle between its citizens and the bishops, who were princes of the Holy Unman Empire. The latter frequently employed foreign armies to crush the rebellious spirit of the townspeople. In 141;3 it was taken by Charles the Bold of Burgundy and later by Maximilian I. During the seventeenth century it was seized repeatedly by the VI-mm(1, and it fell before Marlborough in 1702. In 1801 it was ceded to France by the Treaty of Lua.ville. In 1815 it was annexed to the United Netherlands, and in 1830 it passed to Belgium.