The sun is starting to show the tip of its nose, the flowers too, spring has arrived. Tourists will soon be there, looking for some activities and discoveries in our beautiful Meuse valley. Land of legends and rich in its historical heritage, the Ardennes never ceases to enchant and amaze our tourists. It is LA destination not to be missed. In the meantime, here is a little appetizer, which I hope will make you want to come and spend a few days with us? Zoom on la spanish house by Revin!
A remarkable historical monument!
Atypical architecture
When you walk along the Edgar-Quinet quays, on the banks of the Meuse in Revin, a building with a somewhat remarkable architecture catches your eye. Resting on a stone base, its cob and brick walls are adorned with half-timbering and corbels. It is one of the last half-timbered houses in Revin, but its unique architecture gives it all its charm. We are obviously talking about the Spanish House.
The timber panel refers to an assembly of uprights and crossbeams, forming the facade of a house. This means had the advantage of allowing overlaying of corbelled floors, in order to leave a wide enough passage on the public road and to save space in the upper floors. It better protects the inhabitants of a house from variations in the outside temperature than a brick or stone wall. With a slightly "leaning" aspect, this type of construction has nevertheless enabled it to resist, in five centuries, the transformations of the quays, the construction of a bridge, and the floods. And again recently to the tornado of July 14, 2010 which hit nearby buildings hard.
Half-timbered construction was one of the predominant construction techniques from Rome until the XNUMXth century, when in France and elsewhere it was prohibited on public roads, in order to avoid the communication of fire on one side of the building. one street to another. Bricks and stones have since taken its place.
Where does its name come from?
This question is probably the very first one we are asked when we mention the Spanish House. Built in the first half of the 1769th century, this house bears witness to the turbulent history of Revin, and would be the last survival of the Spanish occupation, which lasted until XNUMX. Where can his name be from? Let me tell you more. ?
Revin was a “buffer” town between the Spanish Netherlands and the Kingdom of France. The Spanish Netherlands referred to the territory of the "Seventeen Provinces", which was partly owned by the Spanish monarchy, between 1556 and 1714. To give you an idea, the Spanish Netherlands today would correspond approximately to a large part of Nord-Pas-de-Calais, part of Belgium, Luxembourg and the present-day Netherlands.
The origin of this name therefore comes from the memory of this occupation suffered by Revin, whose neutrality was repeatedly violated both by the troops of the Kingdom of France and by those of the Empire. Its charm and authenticity earned it a listing in the supplementary inventory of Historic Monuments in 1990.
The Old Revin Museum
Once inside the spanish house, its decor catches your eye. Consisting of 2 floors, it now houses the Old Revin Museum in which various objects representative of the local heritage and the industrial tradition of the Valley are exhibited.
Ready for time travel?
The ground floor presents a sublime reconstruction of the Revinois interior from the beginning of the 20th century. It houses the daily life of a modest family of the 30s and XNUMXs. Crockery, carding machine, sewing machine, these unique and period pieces will bring back old memories in your home or, for the youngest, will allow you to discover the mode of life of yesteryear… very different from that of today. ?
The first floor, it is devoted to temporary exhibitions having a link with the city, the Meuse valley, or a related theme. This year the exhibition will concern the natural heritage of Revin in collaboration with the Natural History Society of the Ardennes and the Regional Natural Park of the Ardennes. Come and discover these collections of great mineral, zoological and botanical wealth: Fossils, herbaria, skeletons (wild boar skulls, crossopterygian fish…), photo exhibition and many other surprises. Themed hikes will even be organized with Revin Rando Patrimoine. Opening of the exhibition scheduled for the month of May.
On the second floor, the industrial activity of the city is given pride of place. You will get to know the foundry trade through a magnificent exhibition. Tools, materials, reconstructions, you will know everything there is to know! You will also discover certain productions of the former Revino companies, but I won't tell you more. I urge you to come visit it. It is definitely worth a look!
Finally, like any self-respecting museum, a souvenir and local product shop awaits you at the end of your visit.
The opportunity for you to leave with delicious memories of our beautiful valley. ?
Want to visit the Spanish House?
Here is all the practical information to organize your visit. The Spanish House will open its doors from April until October. Admission is free for individuals. All the more reason to enjoy it! ?
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