Belgium's touristic center, Dinant, draws attention with its natural and historical beauties
Dinant, the city where Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone, was born, makes a name for itself as one of Belgium's most popular tourism centers with its giant saxophones and natural and historical beauties. Dinant is located in the French-speaking Walloon region of Belgium, about 100 kilometers from the capital Brussels. Although Bruges comes to mind first when considering country tourism, Dinant stands out as a fascinating destination for those who do a little more research.
Dinant, the city where Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone, was born, makes a name for itself as one of Belgium's most popular tourism centers with its giant saxophones and natural and historical beauties.
Dinant is located in the French-speaking Walloon region of Belgium, about 100 kilometers from the capital Brussels.
Although Bruges comes to mind first when considering country tourism, Dinant stands out as a fascinating destination for those who do a little more research.
The Meuse (Maas) River, which runs through France, Belgium and the Netherlands, divides the city in two. On one side of the river, there is Notre Dame Church, which was built in the Gothic architectural style in the 1200s, and Dinant Castle, which rises on a rock block behind the church and dates back to 1051.
When viewed from the opposite side, the castle, the rock-like hill and the church appear in a natural unity. The cable car, which goes up to the castle right next to the church, provides the visitors of the city with the opportunity to enjoy the unique view.
Just in front of this natural unity, there are colorful houses, cafes and restaurants along the promenade of the river. Boat tours are often organized on the river.
10,000 tourists visit the city annually.
Dinant Tourism Office Coordinator Alexandra Warnauts told Anadolu Agency (AA) that approximately 10 thousand people visit the city annually.
Warnauts distinguishes Dinant from other Belgian cities, "I think the landscape and the geographical structure of the city make it different. The castle, steep cliffs and river attract people here. Of course, the giant saxophones are the other feature." she told me in her words.
Giant saxophones can be found all over the city.
Besides its natural beauty, Dinant is known for being the hometown of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone.
Giant saxophones built in memory of Sax can be found in every corner of the city.
Among them, the colorful ones on the historical bridge that connects the two sides of the Meuse River stand out the most.
Wendy Boka, Communications Officer of the International Adolphe Sax Association, said that a project was developed on the grounds that the city is one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium with its nature and history, but did not receive the attention it deserves, thus making the city a popular tourism center.
For this purpose, Boka explained that 27 saxophones representing EU countries were installed in 2010, when Belgium was the term president of the European Union (EU), by deciding to highlight the fact that it is the city where Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone, was born.
Boka, who later contacted the association and stated that saxophones in the colors of the flags of other countries that made a certain payment were also placed on the bridge, adding that the bridge was connected to the main street of the city bearing the name of Sax.
Saxophone Museum open to the public 24 hours a day, free admission
Built on the site of the house where Sax was born in 1814, the museum's doors are open to the public 24 hours a day and free of charge. The museum, which does not have any staff inside, tells the history and features of 8 wind instruments that its inventor patented in 1846 under the name "saxophone".
The first saxophone produced by Sax is also on display in the museum.
Boka said in a statement at the museum, stating that Sax was the first person to use the laws of physics to make instruments, "He knew that he could make different sounds by changing some parts of the instrument. He produced different saxophones using engineering in his factories." said.
Boka explains that musicians of the period conspired against Sax many times, burned his factories, tried to steal his workers, and led him to be brought before the judge many times by slandering him. He noted that he achieved
It is possible to meet tourists from different parts of the world.
It is possible to come across tourists from different nationalities in every corner of Dinant.
