Belgium is not all about Brussels. Sure, Brussels has the highest concentration of Belgium's touristy places and local attractions but there are a lot of other interesting places and landmarks that are spread out all across Belgium. Flanders, Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent are the other places in Belgium that often comes to mind to most tourists. Other than the ones mentioned earlier, the mountain range of the Ardennes is another region that is considered one of Belgium's hidden gem.
The province of Luxembourg (not to be confused with the country with the same name) is one of the provinces that is a part of the Ardennes region. This is province where we can find the Mardasson Memorial.
The Mardasson Memorial was built in memory of the American soldiers who risked and gave their lives during the Battle of the Bulge. It is in the town of Bastogne where the main roads of the Ardennes mountain range converge. The trip to get to Mardasson Memorial was so scenic it is a sight-seeing attraction in itself. Going through and around the mountain range is definitely worth the long drive from Brussels.
The memorial is in the form of a five-pointed star and engraved along its top borders are the 48 contiguous states of the US. On the very middle of the star, a stone plate can be found on the ground with the Latin inscription "LIBERATORIBVS AMERICANIS POPVLVS BELGICVS MEMOR IV.VII.MCMXLVI" which we were told means something like "The American Liberators will always be remembered by the Belgian People".
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| The Bastogne War Museum can be seen from the top of the memorial |
There is also a spiral staircase that will take you to the top of the star-shaped building. It offers an amazing view of the surrounding. Telescopes can also be used to get a closer view. From the top, you can also see the Bastogne War Museum. Unfortunately during our visit, the museum was closed due to renovation.
Belgium is not all about Brussels. Sure, Brussels has the highest concentration of Belgium's touristy places and local attractions but there are a lot of other interesting places and landmarks that are spread out all across Belgium. Flanders, Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent are the other places in Belgium that often comes to mind to most tourists. Other than the ones mentioned earlier, the mountain range of the Ardennes is another region that is considered one of Belgium's hidden gem.
The province of Luxembourg (not to be confused with the country with the same name) is one of the provinces that is a part of the Ardennes region. This is province where we can find the Mardasson Memorial.
The Mardasson Memorial was built in memory of the American soldiers who risked and gave their lives during the Battle of the Bulge. It is in the town of Bastogne where the main roads of the Ardennes mountain range converge. The trip to get to Mardasson Memorial was so scenic it is a sight-seeing attraction in itself. Going through and around the mountain range is definitely worth the long drive from Brussels.
The memorial is in the form of a five-pointed star and engraved along its top borders are the 48 contiguous states of the US. On the very middle of the star, a stone plate can be found on the ground with the Latin inscription "LIBERATORIBVS AMERICANIS POPVLVS BELGICVS MEMOR IV.VII.MCMXLVI" which we were told means something like "The American Liberators will always be remembered by the Belgian People".