To spot the Aragon Bridge, just look for a charming old stone bridge with three graceful arches and beautiful purple flowers lining its railings, stretching across the peaceful canal right in front of you.
Now, as you stand here, take a deep breath and picture yourself in the year 1514-imagine the sound of horses’ hooves echoing on the cobblestone as townsfolk bustle around, and this very bridge is brand new, its arches gleaming with fresh masonry. The Aragon Bridge connected two vibrant streets: Aragonstraat and Kerkstraat, and quickly became a lifeline for the city. But don’t get too comfortable; fast forward to 1914, and the air is filled not with laughter, but with tension. Shadows of war creep in, and the bridge is destroyed, its sturdy arches collapsing into the water below. But just when you think the tale ends in ruins, the people of Lier rally together to rebuild it, brick by brick, bringing it back to life. And why “Aragon”? Right nearby stood the grand Hof van Aragon-a fancy guesthouse where none other than Philip the Handsome and Joanna of Castile spent the night ages ago. Just imagine the whispers and excitement each time royalty passed over these stones. If you listen closely, you might just hear their stories in the rustle of the flowers as you cross!
