Cathedral Square, Pedestrian square in central Liège, Belgium
Place de la Cathédrale is a paved pedestrian square in the center of Liège, surrounded by old buildings, cafes, and small shops, with Saint-Paul Cathedral forming the backdrop. The cobblestone surface and car-free layout make it a natural meeting point in the old part of the city.
The square was once called Place Devant-Saint-Paul, a name tied to an old church that was demolished at the end of the 18th century. When Saint-Lambert Cathedral was destroyed in 1802 and the nearby Saint-Paul church took its place as the city's cathedral, the square took on the name it carries today.
The street names around the square, such as Vinâve-d'Île and Pont-d'île, hint at the fact that this part of the city was once an island connected to the rest of Liège by bridges. These names are a quiet reminder of a past that shaped the layout of the neighborhood as it exists today.
The square is car-free and easy to reach on foot from the surrounding pedestrian streets in the city center. It works well as a starting point for exploring the old town, since many nearby streets and landmarks can be reached with a short walk.
In 1918, local authorities wanted to rename the square Place du Roi Albert, but residents pushed back and the old name was quickly restored. The fact that the name was defended so firmly says a lot about how attached people in Liège are to this particular part of the city.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
