Lier is an attractive small town, just 20 kilometres southeast of Antwerp. The Grote Markt is a spacious cobbled square framed by handsome historic buildings. The town hall was built in 1740, and its elegant dimensions contrast strongly with the square, turreted fourteenth century Belfort adjoining. Nearby is the Stedelijk Museum Wuyts, with its collection of paintings by Flemish masters including Jan Steen, Brueghel and Rubens.

East of museums the church of St. Gummaruserk, with its soaring stone pillars and vaulted roof, evokes medieval times, and their carved altarpiece is notable for the intricate detail of its biblical scenes. The stained glass windows are among the finest in Belgium and were a gift from Emperor Maximillian I in 1516.

One of Lier’s highlights is the Zimmertoren, a fourteenth century watchtower that now houses the clocks of Lodewijk Zimmer. This Lier merchant wanted to share his knowledge of timepieces.