St. Paul's Cathedral Flood Gauge in Liège, Belgium

Saint Paul's Cathedral in Liège, Belgium, boasts a unique history, evolving from a collegiate church to the city's cathedral after the French Revolution. The cathedral now holds many treasures, but a crucial one is a column displaying flood markers, a "ladder of floods". These markers chronicle significant inundations that have impacted the church. The column reflects the impact of the Meuse River on the structure. The oldest flood mark dates to 1571, the preserved flood levels showcase the river's dynamic nature,. The highest level represents the 1643 flood, and engraved hands also indicate the flood levels. Additional marks record floods in 1740, and during 1925/1926. The fifth flood mark from 1850 is hidden by a statue's base. Some markers include Latin chronograms, revealing the year of each flood. The cathedral's flood gauge is a rare piece in Belgium.