Belgium 19 June 2000

Cultural series of stamps

On 19 June 2000 two cultural series of stamps were issued in Belgium: UNESCO World Heritage and Tourism (churches and church organs).

UNESCO World Heritage

In 1998 three Belgian monuments were placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List of sites and buildings considered being of worldwide significance.

Beguinages

Beguinages are a typically Flemish phenomenon. Nearly every Flemish town of any importance had one or more beguinages. Twenty-six of them have survived and are protected by law. The beguinages reveal unique architectural qualities.

Brussels Grand' Place

The Grand' Place is the architectural and historical heart of Brussels. It is a unique place, where five centuries of history of Belgium and the Netherlands are concentrated in an impressive ensemble, which attracts numerous visitors year after year. Remarkable buildings are, among others, the Town Hall and the King's House.

Canal du Centre

The four lifts on the Canal du Centre are a showpiece of the Walloon industrial heritage. The construction of the Centre Canal and its works began in 1885 and took no less than 32 years to complete.
This wonder of technology and originality has proved its efficiency and is more than a hundred years later still in perfect working order.
Values: 17 Fr. (all three stamps).
Design: Alain Coffin.
Size: 40.20 x 17.66 mm.

Tourism

After it was damaged by fire in 1993, the Norbertine Abbey Church of Grimbergen has been restored in all its splendour. It has recently been raised to the status of basilica and will now celebrate its three-hundredth anniversary.
The Collégiale Sainte Waudru of Mons, which is built on a hillside, is an impressive edifice. Its stained-glass windows, works of art, relics, folklore and last but not least, its organ, make it certainly worth visiting.
Visitors coming from the direction of Brussels, Edingen or Brakel will certainly be impressed by the Hemelvaartkerk (church) in Ninove. The organ dates back to the 18th century. Modelled on the organ of St. Michael's Cathedral of Brussels, it was built and decorated by famous artists.
After the Battle of Ardennes, the Gothic Saint-Peter's Church of Bastogne was ravaged and its organs were destroyed. The restoration of the organs was a remarkable achievement.
Values: 17 Fr. (all four stamps).
Design: Steven Wilsens.
Size: 38.15 x 48.75 mm.

More information

Stamps of Belgium
Postage Stamps 2000