European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 2, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                By John Miliar Wurzburg Bureau the perfect european tourist town would have a Rich history breathtaking sights plenty of hotels and restaurants and helpful Friendly inhabitants. It might be situated on Green rolling landscape with a Majestic River running through its Middle offer quaint shops and Large modern facilities within walking distance of Parks fountains Heaters and transportation terminals. While there May never be a totally perfect Quot tourist town Quot visitors to the City of Liege May find that it comes close. The City called the Quot daughter of the Meuse Quot lies on the Banks of that River in Eastern Belgium and sprawls onto the surrounding Hills. Within visitors will find history artistry eateries and modern conveniences served up with old fashioned hospitality. Liege can Trace its roots to the Stone age and a settlement at the spot where the Meuse and Ourthe Rivers meet. Successive rulers including the second Century romans neighbouring Bishops and Cerman Royalty helped it grow into a strategic commercial site. It came under French Rule in 1795, was incorporated into the Netherlands in 1815 and finally became part of newly Independent Belgium in 1810. The years of multinational ownership plus the repeated damage and destruction caused by the frequent changing of hands has resulted in Liege s mix of architectural styles. City buildings Range from Graceful gothic churches to the Renaissance style Prince Bishops Palace. There Are houses built in a victorian style along with modern Glass and steel skyscrapers. Local tourism officials and City brochures claim modern Liege is Quot a town that gives you Hearty Welcome Quot a statement that holds True for anyone stopping by the City s information Center. Employees Welcome visitors in five languages and provide them with plenty of free information. The main tourist information office in the City Center is the starting Point for a two mile self guided tour. There Are 15 stops on the tour starting with Fero str a the oldest Street in i amp be. This Street once inhabited mainly by ironworkers has attracted Many craftsmen because of its close proximity to the City s Central Market place. Small stores still line the Street along with modern Day department stores. The tour goes through churches museums and City streets to give a total picture of Liege and its history. It includes a set of Jet Steps that climbs toward an 18th-Century Citadel and surrounding Park uttering a panoramic View of the City. Getting to the top is work but with each step Liege looks More impressive. The stairs which Start near the c Hurch of St. Antoine were built to Honor Vincent dry Queren. I be was a Nobleman who unsuccessfully tried to Dewond l siege against Charles the bold of Burgundy who set the City aflame in the 1 5th Century. There Are seven museums on the tour. Among the most interesting Are the Anse Bourg museum the arms museum of Lic be and the Curtins museum clustered together along the River. The Anse Bourg museum is a collection of 18th-Century decorative arts. The museum is housed in a private mansion built and decorated Between 1 718 and 1 741, which has remained unchanged Ever since. Inside the carved mantelpiece elegant wrought Iron banisters detailed artwork and furniture give a View of i siege s Quot Golden  the arms museum of Liege houses an enormous collection of arms and armaments trom Spears to automatic weapons an Industry that has thrived in the City since the 1 4th Century. The Curtius museum a Quinn cd on Page Liege City made by Many hands