Malmedy is a city located in the Belgian province of Liège and is often described as “the gateway to the High Fens”. The city was one of the region’s most important assets for centuries because of the diocese that was located here. As a result, many historical writings and notes have been preserved in which the origins and growth of the city and region can be found.
History
The city was founded in the mid-7th century by Abbot Remaclus. He headed the Abbey of Solignac, a Benedictine monastery, which he founded. Remaclus was later canonized and given his name day on September 3. For a period of more than 1000 years, Malmedy, together with Stavelot, formed a principality ruled by a prince abbot who had control over the region. From the 16th century onwards, the power of the abbey began to decline and more industrial activities took place in Malmedy. Tanneries, cotton industries and paper industries in particular flourished because of the abundant presence of running water in the region. In 1795 the principality finally disappeared to be added to the French empire. In 1815, Malmedy was again incorporated into the Prussian Empire according to the Treaty of Vienna. In the first half of the 100-year connection with Germany, little changes for the residents of the region. Their cultural experience and language use are left virtually untouched. Only at the end of the 19th century did the Germans attempt to bring the culture and language use more in line with those of Germany. The use of French in schools and churches was banned in the hope of Germanizing the region. This offended many and the Club Wallon was founded to safeguard French identity. After the First World War, Malmedy, together with the rest of the East Cantons, was annexed back to Belgium by the Treaty of Versailles. Malmedy was an important link in the Ardennes offensive of the Second World War. There was heavy fighting here between the Allies and Germans, during which almost the entire city was destroyed by bombing.
In 1977, the municipality of Malmedy took its current form through several mergers with neighboring villages.
The city of Malmedy
The name Malmedy probably comes from the statement of Abbot Remaclus a malo mundarum which loosely translates as “place purified from evil. However