Located near the French border, at the junction of the Canal du Centre and
the Condé-Mons Canal, it is the processing and shipping center of the
Borinage district, and the closing of most of the coal mines has caused
economic hardship
Mons was established at the top of a hill, around a 7th century monastery
founded by St. Waudru. Mons has expanded over the centuries, outgrowing its
fortified walls more than once, and engulfing surrounding communities. The
central core of the town is not large, and runs in a number of rings. There
is a concerted effort to keep vehicles out of the narrow streets, and
parking regulations are strictly enforced.
The Cathedral dedicated to St. Waudrau is now Mons' chief tourist
attraction. Mons is located 50 kilometers southwest of Brussels. It has a
population of 91,000. The Canal du Centre, the E42, and the E19 all pass
through it. Unlike some of the other towns in Belgium where the Flemish and
French names for the towns are the same, the Flemish name for Mons is Bergen
(though both mean "mountains").
________Festivals
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Doudou Festival
Doudou Festival
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Every year on Trinity Sunday all the people of Mons witness the traditional
and annual Car d'Or (Golden Carraige) procession. The guilded wagon (which
during the year can be seen in the Saint Wautrau church) was made in the
17th century by Ghienne and Midavaine. During the procession the wagon
carries the relic shrine of Saint Waudru through the streets of the city,
accompanied by musicians, singers, flag-bearers and horsemen. Legend has it
that Mons will get in trouble if the horses do not carry the shrine back to
the church without hampering. This results in the townspeople sometimes
lending assistance in pushing the carraige up the final hill.
On the same day as the Car d'Or procession, the famous 'Lumeçon' battle -
also called the Doudou Festival - takes place in Mons. The battle is based
on the story of Saint George slaying the dragon. In 1380 a fellowship called
'Dieu et Monseigneur Georges' (God and Sire George) was founded. Its aim was
to preserve the veneration of Saint Georges and, for the members of the
fellowship to accompany his relic shrine during the annual procession of the
Car D'Or. To illustrate Saint George's battle against evil, a play during
which the dragon was killed became part of the entire Trinity procession in
Mons. Saint Georges, dressed with a yellow helmet and white pants, is
accompanied by helpers (les Chinchins). The green dragon is made of willow
branches, and its tail is a young tree. It is 9.5 meters long and weighs
about 180 Kg. |
