The Grétedarhal. From city gate to home circle.

When the city became more prosperous at the beginning of the 17th century, it was regularly visited by plunderers and wandering army bands during these turbulent times. To protect itself, a city wall with eight city gates was built in 1601. This building, the Grétedarhal, located close to the flank of the Livremont, is a reminder of one of those gates. Over time, its function and also its appearance would change. In 1727, the building became the courthouse with a prison, nearly 40 years after the original town hall in the city center was destroyed by the flames of war in 1689. A short period, from 1800 to 1808, the municipal government was housed here. Afterwards, the building was rented out and came into private hands. In 1964, the non-profit organization Malmedy-Folklore became the owner and it was thoroughly restored.

It is claimed that Saint Remaclus entered the future city on this site in 648.

The name Grétedar comes from the Walloon ‘grète ét dar’ which would mean ‘ju’, the cry to urge the horses to start the steep ascent.

Jan Rymenams