La Gleize is located in the heart of the northern part of the Belgian Ardennes. This little village of Belgium has a great mark on the history of entire Europe. Embraced on a beautiful landscape this place will lure you. La Gleize is tracked down on a rocky outcrop dominating the valley of Amblève in the Ardennes region, is a village and section of the Belgian Municipality of Stoumont, situated in the Walloon Region in the province of Liège. History haunts this village: The presbytery where today the museum December 44 is housed served as an Aid Station for German panzer troops under Peiper, who were well entrenched around it. La Gleize has played an important role in World War. Now this enormous place will lure you. Simply perfect for your next travelogue.
Scroll down to see the most important places in La Gleize:
Address : Rue de l’Eglise, 4987 Stoumont
December 44 Museum
Bogged down, short of fuel and slowly being encircled by the Allies, the Germans finally abandoned their Ardennes adventure at the village of La Gleize, west of Malmédy, two days before Christmas 1944. The December 44 Museum is housed in a historic building in the center of the village. It is dedicated entirely to the Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive. Nice collection of both German and Allied silk. Today, one of the abandoned German 69-tonne ‘King Tiger’ Panzer tanks has been restored and sits outside the December 44 Museum, the only war museum situated on a spot where fighting took place.
The King Tiger’s gun had a range of about two thousand meters, but it was unsuitable for the narrow roads and bridges of the Ardennes and was prone to mechanical breakdowns. The history buffs will love it. A panel is dedicated to women and their role in the battle. The visit finishes with a film based on contemporary archive footage. The museum accurately recounts these tragic events and offers the visitors a chance to see one of the most important collections in Europe. The impressive quantity of material was found for the most part in the surroundings of La Gleize. The museum has beautiful stuffed mannequins and dioramas. A very extensive collection in a relatively small museum. it is worth it.
Liberation – and the first American casualties
This is a liberation memorial near the 40-44 museum. The monument is only several steps away from the museum. According to the sign, the first Allied soldier fell here for the liberation of Belgium. Like many young Belgians, 12-year-old Paul Delahaye was thrilled by the arrival of the American liberation force. After the war, he began to collect artefacts and memorabilia connected with the battle. He persuaded a farmer to sell him the barn where Lieutenant Cook died. There, he created a small museum dedicated to his American hero. The centrepiece is a stone in the shape of Belgium supporting an American star, symbolising the long-lasting friendship between the two nations. The place truly tells the tales of bravery and friendship even today. You will see this place as the most peaceful place in entire Belgium. If you are neighbouring, surely pay a visit to this place and museum.
Fox Holes
The fact that this place even still exists is amazing. Just near to the la Gleize is an easy-to-miss clump of trees, originally called Bois Jacques but now renamed as the Peace Woods. This is where the American Easy Company, immortalized in Band of Brothers, dug thousands of foxholes to enable them to stand their ground during the siege of Bastogne.
Being able to walk around the actual fighting positions that Company Easy of the 101st Airborne used in the Battle of the Bulge is incredible. On the 50th anniversary of the battle, in 1994, four thousand US veterans visited the site, and each had a tree planted in their honor. The plantation mirrors the design of the UNICEF emblem of a mother and child: the symbol of human tenderness. Thousands of foxholes remain in this peaceful spot, and there’s a small memorial dedicated to Easy Company, the Band of Brothers. Spend as much time as you want and get the feel of the forest.
A definite must stop if you are in the area.
The parish church
A Romanesque building of the 12th century, built-in local stone, contains the red marble tomb of the Lords of Froidcourt.
In 1944 the church crypt provided shelter for civilians, and cellars throughout the village. It was virtually rebuilt between 1945 and 1951: a photographic panel presents views from inside the church before the serious damage caused in 1944 by the Battle of the Bulge. The church sustained severe damage during the battle and lost its tower. It was rebuilt in 1951. Directly opposite the church, on the other side of the village square is the December 44 Museum. The walls of the church withstand all the damages and showcase the bloodshed even today during the time of war. It’s near the museum December 44. You will surely love the church it’s landscape, art and architecture, and everything.
Le vert de Pommier
With all the history and arts filled in the mind now, it’s time to fill your empty tummies. Le vert de Pommier offers mouthwatering food with an amazing ambience. It is a cosy place with an unusual kind of meat and fish dishes. You can try spare ribs and steak with mushroom sauce. The mushroom sauce here is extraordinary. All the dishes are worth filling your stomach and heart. They have a kids menu and also a small playground.
The local beer is way too delicious here.
They have an outstanding Belgium beer menu. The staff is good here. The terrace is huge and has a great atmosphere. Also, the fireplace is very comfortable and warm. You will simply love this place in this little village. A perfect place for you and your family to dine with.
La 44
Belgium is incomplete without Belgium beer. La 44 is an exceptional place in this small village. It offers you a premium quality beer and unusual local beer which you fell in love with once you taste it. It’s perfect for your friends and foe. The most famous beer of La gleize is available here.
La 44 Blanche having an unclear matt medium yellow colour with an average, frothy, good lacing, mostly lasting, off-white head and its aroma is moderate malty, wheat, moderate yeasty, Saison – witbier yeast, vegetables. The flavour is moderate sweet with an average duration, yeast, grain, witbier – Saison yeast, vegetables.
You will adore it. Surely you will pack it for your home as a stock 😉
Images from Internet