Li Bassinia in Huy, Belgium
Huy is a historically rich Belgian town situated at the confluence of the Meuse and Hoyoux rivers. It boasts numerous protected monuments and sites, with the Grand'Place fountain, known as "Li Bassinia," being particularly noteworthy. This fountain, listed as a historic monument in 1933, showcases complex changes over centuries. Its oldest parts, a bronze basin and central column, date back to its origin. The column is adorned with four significant figures representing the town's patron saints and a historical count. A crenellated tower topped the central column, and later additions included a rococo canopy with a double-headed eagle. Four stone basins at the canopy's base are fed by bronze lion mouths and drain through floor grids. Recent renovations in the early 2000s led to a complete dismantling and restoration of the fountain. Excavations during this period confirmed the fountain's construction date as 1406, with the bronze basin on its original stone base. Despite discussions about museum relocation, local opposition ensured the fountain's return to its original site, inaugurated in 2019. Remarkably, the water still flows from its original 15th-century source, located a kilometer away. While its claim as the oldest metal public fountain remains debated, its age, preservation, continued use, and original location make Li Bassinia exceptional.
