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Eben-Ezer Tower

Florian Buechting Museums & Exhibitions, Places & Sights No Comments

Eben-Ezer Tower

7 EUR
Eben-Ezer Tower
4.1

Rating

 4.1/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Amazing structure made by one man
  • Deep and entertaining presentation of the life of Robert Garcet
  • Lovely view from top of the tower

East Belgium hosts a very iconic building constructed by the domestic pacifist and author Robert Garcet. The Tower of Eben-Ezer (or Eben-Ezer Tower / Tour d’Eben-Ezer, Touren van Eben-Ezer) has been built between 1948 and 1963 under the impression of the German invasion during World War II. Even today, you can still visit the unique construction on a daily basis and majorly learn about the artist and his thoughts,  When I visited the region, I just had to do a stop at this place. Here are my thoughts.

 

Eben-Ezer Tower – Location & Admission

The Tower of Eben-Ezer is located Northwest of the city of Bassenge, right South-East of the borough of Eben. Eben is majorly known for the “non-conquerable” Fort Eben-Emanuel ,which has been captivated by German troops in 1940. The easiest way to get there is by car. There is a major parking lot a few steps away from the tower. Alternatively, you can walk from the bus stop Eben Moulin (buses 16, 76, 100, 101, 397, 908). The tower is located in the French-speaking part of Belgium, Wallonia. The border to Dutch-speaking Flanders as well as to the Netherlands are very close. The driving distance to Maastricht, for example, ist just above 10 km.

Eben-Ezer Tower has different opening times in summer and winter. From November to March, the weekday opening times are 11:00 to 17:00 and 11:00 to 18:00 on the weekends. In the other months, the tower is closing one hour later. I would recommend a visit of at least one hour for the tower and the park. Adult admission is 7 EUR.

 

Eben-Ezer Tower – The Tower

The tower has been constructed under a motto, Love – Think – Create and Freedom – Equality – Fraternity. You find these elements in the tower, which hosts the Musee du Silex officially. The building is full of information and symbols. Information is majorly given in French and Dutch, but you can also have very well-structured information leaflets in other languages like English. You first explore the first floor through a side door, before you visit the remaining levels by walking around the building and using the main gate.

The museum hosts a lot of information and also screens with videos and additional documentation, which give you an idea about the thoughts and motivation of the artist. Typically there is one topic per level you visit, not too rarely the is even just one accessible room. The first two levels feature The Thoughts of Robert Garcet and the Cherubs Room. Especially the latter room, where you run into the beast of the Apocalypse, is an impressive visit. This room is full of references and metaphors. For example, on top of a lot of pictures, you see the four horseman of the story.

 

The Writer Robert Garcet and More

The third floor is dedicated to the life of Robert Garcet as a writer. You can find all his books in there. The reception desks has them for sale as well. Of course, you do have a certain advantage as a visitor when you speak the domestic languages. However, even that part of your visit is rather impressive as well. The upper levels feature smaller rooms with dedicated topics. For example, you learn about the former host’s esoteric view on the Apocalypse and about his TV appearances.  Rather late during your visit, you also learn how Garcet designed, constructed and built (as an act of “Fraternity”) Eben-Ezer Tower.

Before you head to the top of the tower, you lean about how the Belgian artist studied the ancient Cretaceous. This is another part of the visit which illustrates the level of thought and detail Garcet invested into his work, including the impressing tower made of flint (which is also a reference to ancient history).

 

The Top of the Tower

A rather narrow staircase leads you to the top of the tower. Unfortunately, this part was so narrow and steep that I could not enjoy the full platform. Nonetheless, enjoying the view and the four statues which have been placed on the platform by Garcet are another highlight of the visit.

 

Eben-Ezer Tower – The Park

Visiting the Tower of Eben-Ezer is not complete without visiting the adjacent park. Apart from enjoying the view of the tour, there are numerous sculptures and pieces of art. Again, these feature a lot of esoteric thoughts and metaphors.

 

Eben-Ezer Tower – Service

There is a reception desk with book and souvenir sales. The park also features a visitor toilet.

 

Eben-Ezer Tower – My View

The concept of the Tower of Eben-Ezer and the thoughts behind it are absolutely impressing. Furthermore, you learn a lot about the life of Robert Garcet. Thus, even more than two decades after his death in 2001, he left us a monument absolutely worth visiting – even though some of he presentations feel a bit of outdated.

 

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