Montagne de Bueren (French pronunciation: [mɔ̃taɲ byʁɛn, -ʁən]) is a 374-step staircase in Liège, Belgium. The staircase is named after Vincent de Bueren, who defended Liège against an attack by the Duke of Burgundy, Charles the Bold in the 15th century. It was built in 1881 to honour the 600 soldiers who died in the battle.[2]

Liège Montagne
Stairway
Montagne de Bueren
Montagne de Bueren
Construction1881[1]
Steps374
Surfacebricks, sandstone blocks
Dedicated toVincent de Bueren
LocationLiège, Belgium
Coordinates: 50°38′54″N 5°34′38″E / 50.64833°N 5.57722°E / 50.64833; 5.57722

In 2013, Montagne de Bueren was ranked as #1 on The Huffington Post's list of Most Extreme Staircases.[3]

In July 2020, in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium, Belgian explorer and adventurer Louis-Philippe Loncke ascended and descended the staircase 135 times carrying a 15 kg backpack, simulating an ascent of Mount Everest.[4] The 9000 m climb, which took 65 hours 30 minutes, was meant to show that one could still "trouver des défis physiques près de chez soi" (find physical challenges close to home).[4][5]

In March 2024, it was repainted by Pro-Palestinian activists with the Palestinian flag[6] The city of Liège had cut ties with Israel in April 2023.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Huibers, Jurgen (November 2, 2009). "Montagne de Bueren in Liège". Beautiful Places. Archived from the original on October 10, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  2. ^ "Montagne de Beuren in Liege". Expedia. December 1, 2016. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  3. ^ Strutner, Suzy (September 10, 2013). "The Most Extreme Staircases In The World: A Comprehensive Countdown". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Défi réussi pour Louis-Philippe Loncke: pour simuler l'ascension de l'Everest, il a gravi 135 fois la Montagne de Bueren à Liège" [A successful challenge for Louis-Philippe Loncke: to simulate the ascent of Everest, he climbed the Bueren Mountain 135 times in Liège]. La Dernière Heure (in French). July 21, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  5. ^ Crew, Sarah (July 20, 2020). "Climbing Mount Everest… in Liège!". The Bulletin. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  6. ^ Carana, Cyril (March 18, 2024). "Les escaliers de #Bueren repeints cette nuit aux couleurs de la Palestine". TodayInLiege (in French). Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  7. ^ Maktoob Staff (March 20, 2024). "Belgian City of Liege displays Palestinian flag on Bueren Stairs". maktoobmedia.com. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
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