Across the Lys River, the town of Wervik beckons. Wervik’s story begins in Roman times. The name Viroviacum appears on ancient Roman road maps like the Antonine Itinerary and the Peutinger Map. This tells us Wervik was a significant stop on the Roman road connecting Cassel and Bavay. Wervik also served as a vital crossing point over the Lys River. Imagine Roman soldiers and traders bustling through this area, their carts laden with goods. Centuries later, Wervik flourished thanks to the textile trade. It reached international markets, extending as far as the East. This prosperity attracted attention. In 1327, Philip of Valois seized Wervik, partially destroying it. Wervik faced more hardship during the Ghent uprising of 1382. It served as an outpost for Philip van Artevelde’s army. Following the rebellion’s failure, Bretons plundered the town, leaving it in ruins. Fires ravaged Wervik in 1400, 1436, and 1440. Most houses, constructed from wood and straw, easily succumbed to the flames. The town also lacked protective walls, making it vulnerable to attacks. These disasters were compounded by outbreaks of plague in 1436 and 1468, decimating the population. Despite the turbulent past, Wervik perseveres. It stands as a testament to its resilient inhabitants. They rebuilt their town time and again, shaping the Wervik we see today.
Allée des Moulins
Question: What if the Allée des Moulins could whisper stories of Lille’s transformation? This isn’t just any path. The Allée