Kanal von Bernistap

In 1828, under the Dutch occupation, it was decided to build a canal that would connect the Meuse with the Moselle. Construction started with a huge construction site in Bernistap. Then in 1830 Belgium announced its independence and the Dutch turned off the money tap. Actually, cargo ships with up to 40 tons should pass through here, today nature has brought the area back.

This canal is a historical remnant of Dutch rule.
From 1821 to 1831, the works of a daring dream began: connecting the Maas to the Moselle. The project was gigantic: 200 locks had to be built via the Ourthe and Sure to bridge a height difference of 684 meters. 300 kilometers of roadsides had to be channeled, underground passages had to be dug into the rocks to pass under the Ardennes massif! In 1830, the Revolution and Belgian independence put an end to the grand project.