Lierse city vests

The Lierse stadsvesten, officially 'city walk' but simply 'De vest(s)' in the city mouth, is a 5km long green corridor around the lierse city centre. The name "vesten" refers to the original fortress wall, the second city wall. Together with the Stadspark, the vests form the green lung of the city centre.

The vests largely follow the former second city wall from the 15th century. This was soon after the completion of the first city wall (still visible today in certain street names). After only 40 years, they were completed. At that time, this wall mainly had a military function and was a protection against enemy cannon fire or incursions. However, there was also an economic side to it: when entering through the city gates, import and export duties were collected.

In the 19th century, the ramparts no longer had any military use and were dismantled. From about 1850, the defense belt was then gradually leveled and planted. Now the vests house a large number of valuable trees such as green and red beech, Japanese pagoda tree, oak, linden, sycamore, flour berry, but also special species such as a honey tree. There used to be a lot of elms, but due to a disease they have disappeared.

Since 1949, part of the vests has been protected as a landscape by regent decree.

Since 2010, the dark stretch between the F. Peltzerstraat and the Spui has been illuminated from sunset to 11 pm and from 6 am to sunrise. This is partly for the many football supporters who return to the center via the vest after the home matches of K. Lierse S.K. There are plans to possibly extend this lighting to other parts.

Eddy&Rita