📖 About Verviers

Verviers is a French-speaking city in eastern Belgium's Liège Province, historically known as the wool capital of the world. With approximately 56,000 residents, this industrial city prospered during the 18th and 19th centuries when its textile mills dominated global wool processing.

The city's water quality from the Vesdre River was ideal for wool washing, creating a unique industrial advantage. Elegant buildings from the prosperous era remain. Verviers represents industrial Wallonia—textile heritage, architectural grandeur, and post-industrial renewal.

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💼 Economy & Culture

The textile industry has largely disappeared, replaced by services and smaller manufacturing. Commerce serves the regional population. Some specialized textile production continues. The economy faces post-industrial challenges common to Wallonia.

French-speaking Walloon culture—French is used. Catholicism shaped history. The wool heritage is preserved in museums. Local festivals continue. Food features Belgian cuisine. The culture values industrial heritage, French language, and community resilience.

📜 History

Medieval origins as a small settlement. The wool industry developed using Vesdre River water. By the 18th century, Verviers led global wool production. Industrial prosperity created the grand architecture.

Decline came with globalization of textiles in the 20th century. The July 2021 floods caused catastrophic damage. Today Verviers rebuilds—wool heritage preserved, recovery from floods, and renewal in francophone Belgium.