LIÈGE (Dutch Luyk, Ger. Lüttich), an important manufacturing town of Belgium, capital of the province of Liège, situate near the confluence of the Ourthe and the Meuse, in N. Lat. 50. 39. 22., E. Long. 5. 31. 42.; 54 miles E. by S. from Brussels. Though in a fine situation, the city is by no means beautiful and healthy, owing to the smoke of its numerous manufactories, the narrowness of many of its streets, and the height of many of its houses. It is divided into two portions, the upper and the lower town: the former on the declivity, and the latter at the foot of a hill. The River Meuse, on entering the town, divides into several branches, which are lined by quays, and crossed by numerous bridges. Liège is famous for its manufacture of iron; and the fire-arms, cannons, and machinery it produces, are said to surpass in quality those of all other countries except Great Britain. The number of cannons and fire-arms submitted to the Board of Approval, in 1849, were 405,030; and in 1850, 432,347. There are large factories at several of the suburbs, especially at Seraing, where spinning machinery and steam-engines are extensively produced. The other manufactures of Liège are,—hardware of all kinds, woollen and cotton fabrics, hats, glue, tobacco, glass, leather, and other articles. There are likewise steel-works, breweries, distilleries, tanneries, and dyeing-houses. The city has a considerable trade, which is greatly facilitated by the roads, railways, and canals, that traverse the country in all directions. The great cause, however, of its prosperity are the coal-mines that abound in the neighbourhood, and are extended even under the town and the River Meuse. Besides coal and iron, the district produces also zinc, lead,
Liegnitz copper, sulphur, alum, marble, and slate. Liege was once fortified, but its sole defence now is a citadel erected at the N. side of the city, on St Walburg's Mount. Its churches are numerous, of which the following are the principal:—The cathedral, founded in the thirteenth century; the church of St Jacques, the finest of all the sacred edifices; and the churches of St Denis, St Bartholomew, St Croix, and St Martin. The university, erected by the King of Holland in 1817, comprises the faculties of law, theology, and medicine; and possesses a museum, containing, among many other specimens, a collection of fossils chiefly called in the neighbourhood. Besides the Palais de Justice, which is a splendid specimen of ancient architecture, the other public buildings are, a theatre, an episcopal seminary, a royal college, several schools, a library, containing, in addition to numerous volumes, many curious manuscripts, an academy of fine arts, and other educational and benevolent institutions. Liege is the see of a bishop, and the seat of a superior court of justice. In the tenth century, the Emperors of Germany elevated the Bishops of Liege to the rank of independent princes. In 1467, the citizens, rebelling against their liege lord, Charles the Bold, were compelled by him to raze a great part of their fortifications. Pop. (1851) 81,789.