La Croix de Charneux

La Croix de Charneux (The cross of Charneux) is a cross on top of a hill near Charneux in the municipality of Herve in the Belgian province of Liège. The hill has an altitude of 269 metres above sea level and the summit is located about one kilometre north of the village, near the hamlet of “Bois del Fiesse”.

The name “Bois de la fête” possibly refers to the tradition that tournaments were organised here in the 13th century between the lords of Bolland, Xhéneumont and Charneux or between the more distant lords of Luxembourg, Liège or Franchimont.

The fifteen-metre high cross on top of the hill is made of concrete and was erected in 1913, on the initiative of the abbot of the Abbey of Godsdal and the pastor of Charneux.[source?] The cross can be seen from far and wide in the Land of Herve and the place offers a panoramic view of the region.

On the slope of the hill lies observation post MN29, which was part of the observation belt of Fort Battice. A monument has been erected at this observation post in honour of the fallen soldiers. This monument commemorates the heroism of the soldiers at the post during the Nazi invasion of 1940, who withstood the German attacks of 10 and 17 May 1940. The observation post was manned by five men: three were killed and the other two, who were wounded during the fighting, were taken prisoner.[source?]