The Citadel

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On Sunday we visited the town of Dinant on our way back to Gent. It was another beautiful day, and the view that greeted us when we got off the bus was of the fortified citadel looming overhead. Many of us climbed to the top. The Citadel provided a great view of the city and the bridge below. We took a guided tour of the citadel. It was informative, but a little slow because everything had to be repeated in three languages: French, Dutch, and English. Probably one of the most interesting parts of the tour was when we walked through an old bunker. Apparently at one time a bomb exploded near it, shifting it off its vertical axis. The whole place was enclosed, and the effect was one of serious vertigo. Your eyes tell you one way is up, while your inner ear tells you a different way is up. Look at the photo of me standing funny. I'm actually standing straight up. The guys behind me are trying to stand where their eyes are telling them to.

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Photos

The Stairs or the Gondola?
How should I ascend?

The Stairs
Do you think I'm lazy or something?

The Stairs
The Spanish are having a difficult time.

Almost to the Top
Looking back from about 3/4 of the way up.

Almost to the Top
Another shot from just below the fortified Citadel.

The Cannon
The sign in front of the cannon.

The Cannon
The Italian guys apparently didn't see the sign.

At the Top
Looking down from the Citadel. The Citadel was originally built to control this bridge.

At the Top
Another shot looking down.

Comments

[Teresa]

just a shout
Rockin! I just wanted to say hello!

[Pasley]

Wicked awesome. How high up was that?

[Carlo from Italy]

one of the italians who didn't see the sign
Hi Brian it's Carlo I hope you haven't forgotten me I wanted just to say that I was very happy when I fond your blog it seems to came back in the past thx to consider our pasta (Ardennes) the best you have ever eaten