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Place Antoine Ernst is a charming and historic square in the center of Aubel, a municipality in the Belgian province of Liège. Along with other central squares such as Place Nicolaï and Place Albert Ier, the square forms the geometric and social heart of the village, which is located in the Pays de Herve and is a short distance from the famous Val-Dieu Abbey. The square was named in 1898 in honor of Antoine Ernst (1796-1841), a prominent civil and political figure who was born in Aubel and later played an important role in the Belgian academic and political world. Antoine Ernst was a jurist, law professor, rector at the University of Liège, member of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, and even Minister of Justice in the 1830s. In 1871, he was made a baron in recognition of his social contribution. Place Antoine Ernst was originally the Marché au Beurre, the village butter market square, a central location where merchants and farmers from the region sold their products. Later, the square served as a center for local festivities and market days. The buildings around Place Antoine Ernst bear witness to Aubel's rich history as a trading and meeting place. Several buildings around the square are listed as part of the Belgian Intangible Heritage Inventory, and together they offer a warm impression of local architecture from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Maison À l’Empereur (no. 29) – This building on the square is particularly historic, the birthplace of Antoine Ernst himself, and was built in the late 18th century in an architectural style reminiscent of the influential Louis XIV style. The name À l’Empereur refers to the old façade stone with the bust relief of an emperor (most likely Joseph II of the Holy Roman Empire) and symbolizes the region's connection with the Habsburg era. Maison Moreau (no. 9) – Another important building on the square is this stately bourgeois residence from around 1700, also in the Louis XIV style. The building has a brick and limestone façade, a bluestone plinth, and a marble sill and is officially listed as a heritage site. Hôtel du Nord (no. 16) – This former inn, built around 1775, is also a classical Louis XIV-style building with a beautiful symmetrical façade and decorative windows and doors. Later, the building served as an inn on the square under this name. Maison Hupperts (no. 32) – Slightly younger but architecturally interesting, this neoclassical house from 1885 was originally built as one of the first supermarkets outside larger towns, a sign of the economic dynamism of Aubel's town center. The square also features a memorial to the fallen of the First World War (Monument aux Morts), unveiled in 1921. It depicts a soldier with a bugle and commemorates the Aubelois soldiers who fought in that war. Place Antoine Ernst is not only a historical site but remains a lively meeting place in Aubel today. The square still hosts local festivities, such as the annual blessing of the animals during the Feast of Saint Hubert in early November, a tradition that brings together farmers, visitors, and families from the region.

The Saint-Hubert Church of Aubel, together with the surrounding cemetery, forms an important historical and spiritual anchor in the village. The church is dedicated to Saint Hubert, the patron saint of hunters and nature, and a saint deeply connected to this rural region. Even from a distance, the church building is recognizable in the village landscape and serves as a natural landmark as you walk into Aubel. The current church has a long history and has been modified and expanded several times over the centuries. The architectural style reflects this layering: robust and simple, with classical elements befitting a village church that has been the center of community life for generations. Inside, the church exudes tranquility, a place where time seems to slow down, far removed from the bustle of the market and the surrounding streets.

Unfortunately, it's still not open as of today, October 30, 2025!