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Sheep Heads Monument

Sheep Heads Monument

Highlight • Monument

Sheep Heads Monument

Recommended by 30 cyclists out of 32

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Location: Lier, Mechelen, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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Top cycling routes to Sheep Heads Monument

4.6

(55)

449

riders

1. Bridge over the Grote Nete – Little Nete loop from Nijlen

50.2km

02:56

60m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.6

(49)

494

riders

2. F11 Cycle Highway Antwerp–Lier – Grote Markt Lier loop from Lier

30.4km

01:45

50m

Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.3

(37)

428

riders

3. Hof van Ringen – Market Square, Lier loop from Antwerpen-Zuid

48.2km

02:51

90m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

Tips

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

March 28, 2024

Where does the name 'The Sheep Heads' come from?
According to legend, the name sheep heads originated in the 14th century. Duke John II, Duke of Brabant and Limburg, wanted to thank the people of Lieren for their contribution to the fight against the people of Mechelen. They could choose from two rewards for the city: a university or a cattle market.

The people of Lieren opted for the right to own livestock. A choice that did no harm to Lier, because only one city per region was allowed such a right. The cattle market, which until then had been located in Wespelaar, promptly moved to Lier on the orders of the Duke. Duke John II is said to have said with a sigh: "Oh, those sheep heads".

The university, the reward that Lier ignored, ultimately went to Leuven. This gave Leuven the first university in the Low Countries in 1425.

Translated by Google •

Claudine en Robert🇧🇪🚴

April 20, 2024

Particularly enjoyable is the introduction to the history of the old cattle market and the story about the foolish people of Lieren - who preferred a sheep market to a university - which has given them the nickname "Sheep heads" for countless generations.
Duke John IV is said to have given them this pet name. After all, a university was granted to Leuven by Pope Martinus V at the request of Duke John IV, with a papal bull of 1425.
In the "Chronycke de dukhen van Brabant" (1685), the origin of the Lierse nickname is attributed to Charles the Bold, who rewarded the people of Lier with a privilege for their services in the battle of Neuss in 1475: "Die van Lier vraeghden de pile of cattle or oxen, which the Duke granted them for their brave animals, and said: O poor heads of sheep, because they did not ask for more."

Translated by Google •

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Tuesday 18 November

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Location: Lier, Mechelen, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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Sheep Heads Monument

1. Bridge over the Grote Nete – Little Nete loop from Nijlen

2. F11 Cycle Highway Antwerp–Lier – Grote Markt Lier loop from Lier

3. Hof van Ringen – Market Square, Lier loop from Antwerpen-Zuid

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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