EN_Victor at the Town Hall of Mons
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Created on July 23, 2024
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Transcript
Victor at the town hall
Discover our heritage:
Can you guess where Mons is located?
In the heart of Belgium, nestled between gentle hills and ancient rivers, lies the city of Mons, a place steeped in history and legend. It's here, among the gleaming cobblestones and ornate facades, that Victor lives, a curious ten-year-old boy with sparkling eyes and a tousled head of hair.
One sunny morning, as the Grand-Place stirred to life, Victor embarked on an adventure to the emblematic Town Hall of Mons, renowned for its Brabant Gothic architecture and the mysterious little monkey. Its walls, silent witnesses to history, led through a grand portal to an elegant courtyard, each remodel revealing stories of peace and justice.
Victor was particularly intrigued by a small wrought-iron statue to the left of the gate: the famous Grand'Garde monkey. Three hypotheses as to its origin are suggested: a blacksmith's masterpiece, a children's pillory, or the sign of an old tavern. Now a local good luck charm, tradition has it that touching the monkey's head with the hand brings good luck.
Can you find Mister Albert, the caretaker?
"Hello young adventurer!" The voice came from above. Victor looked up and saw an old man, the caretaker of the Town Hall, looking down at him with a welcoming smile. "Do you want to discover the secrets of this building?" he asked. Victor nodded enthusiastically.
Mister Albert first led him to the 18th-century campanile, where the Bancloque, a bell from 1390, rang out, historically used to alert residents, gather the community for announcements, or mark the town gates' timings, shaping daily life with the seasons. Beneath them, the porch's plaques recounted the heroes of the 1914-1918 war, honoring global and local histories.
Can you find out where the Ropieur fountain is hidden?
They explored the main courtyard, framed by the 16th-century building and the Chapel of St George, where each material, from Cambron Abbey's oak beams to local bricks, narrated its history. Beyond lay the Mayeur garden, home to Gober's Ropieur sculpture amidst ancient lime and chestnut trees, a serene spot ideal for enjoying the belfry's carillon. Mister Albert explained that the garden's clear acoustics made it perfect for immersing in music and the echoes of history.
The tour continued in the Salle des Sacquiaux, where Victor was captivated by the stories of the witch trials that used to take place in this very room. "In 1671, Marguerite Tiste was judged in this very room," Mister Albert told softly, making the past almost palpable.
"Thank you, Mister Albert," he said with a smile. "I'll be back soon"."We'll be waiting for you, Victor. You and your dreams are always welcome here," replied the guardian with a wink.
The visit ended too quickly for his liking, but Victor knew he would be back. As he left, he took one last look at the little monkey. He now felt linked to this magical place and its legends.
As he moved away from the Town Hall, Victor felt more connected to his city and its heritage. He realised that every stone in his hometown could be a page of history, and he, an avid reader, was ready to turn the next page.
Author: Florence Stiennon
Page 8: Mathelot, G. (no date) visitMons. Available at: https://www.visitmons.be/a-voir-a-faire/sites-et-musees/hotel-de-ville-de-mons-537136#lg=1&slide=6. Page 9: Photo 1: Pexels, by Adriennhttps://www.pexels.com/fr-fr/photo/batiment-en-beton-blanc-1460145/Photo 2: Pexels, by Khaled___ Ameurhttps://www.pexels.com/fr-fr/photo/ville-france-monument-paris-19718382/Photo 3 : Pexels, by Pixabayhttps://www.pexels.com/fr-fr/photo/photographie-en-contre-plongee-du-parthenon-pendant-la-journee-164336/
Pictures sources:Page 2: Canva, by New Vectorshttps://www.canva.com/.Page 4: Marc.vandersmissen, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.Page 6: PMRMaeyaert, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.Page 7: Flo (2023) Escapade à Mons, capitale culturelle wallonne, Sorties culturelles à Lille. Available at: https://lilleculture.fr/visiter-mons-belgique/.
EU DisclaimerFunded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
The Ropieur fountain was designed by Léon Gobert.
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