Back in the 16th century, Europe was in chaos. Protestantism had thrown a spanner into the works of religious belief. Climate change caused the death of livestock and crop failure. War, disease and hunger was tearing society apart. A scapegoat was quickly found for all these calamities: witches.
The ancient superstition in witches, devils and werewolves was brought back to life. Bizarre fabrications were enough to arrest innocent women, men and children. In a justice system where suspects were tortured until they confessed, the fate of many defendants was already determined. Fully 50,000 people were executed for witchcraft.
Lier did not escape this persecution of witches either. Between 1589 and 1603, at least 6 women were arrested for being witches by the city's rulers. On this witch tour, we will show the places where they lived, suffered and died.
Scan the QR codes at 7 locations in the city centre and relive those dark times.
1. Grand Place: commemoration stone
2. Vesten Antwerpsestraat: werewolves
3. Sion
4. Maagdenhuys
5. Bib De Fé: Cellebroeders
6. Prisoners' Gate
7. Eikelstraat/Papegaaistraat: Den Torst inn
We go back in time and look for traces of the Spanish period in Lier. Let yourself be carried away by the Spanish history in the city of Lier!
The Scandinavia Tour follows the trail of kings and Vikings in Lier. Scan the QR codes along the way and discover the past of these northern raiders.