Baraque Michel
Encyclopedia
The Baraque Michel is a locality in the municipality Jalhay
, in the High Fens
, eastern Belgium
. Before the annexation of the Eastern Cantons
by Belgium in 1919, it was the highest point of Belgium. Now it is the third highest point at 674 m, after the nearby Signal de Botrange
(694 m) and the Weißer Stein (50°24′30"N 6°22′9"E, 691 m).
The Baraque itself is an inn and the starting point of many excursions. The Baraque Michel was founded between 1811 and 1813 by Michel Schmitz, of Herbiester (a hamlet close to Jalhay
), already as an inn, but also as refuge for stray travellers: a bell was sounded there during fog
, which allowed the rescue of more than one hundred of people during the 19th century.
The establishment was also used as relay for the mail coach
es, that connected the two then Prussia
n towns of Eupen
and Malmedy
. The direct connection was partly through Belgian territory, along the current N68 road.
Several rivers of Belgium, part of the basin of Vesdre
, take their source in the vicinity. The principal ones are Gileppe
, Hoëgne
and Helle.
Jalhay
Jalhay is a municipality of Belgium. It lies in the country's Walloon Region and Province of Liege. On January 1, 2006 Jalhay had a total population of 7,953. The total area is 107.75 km² which gives a population density of 74 inhabitants per km². The highest point of the municipality is the...
, in the High Fens
High Fens
The High Fens , which were declared a nature reserve in 1957, are an upland area, a plateau region in the province of Liège, in the east of Belgium and nearby parts of Germany, lying between the Ardennes and the Eifel highlands. It is the largest nature reserve or park in Belgium, with an area of ;...
, eastern Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. Before the annexation of the Eastern Cantons
Eupen-Malmedy
Eupen-Malmedy, or the East Cantons , is a group of cantons in Belgium, composed of the former Prussian districts of Malmedy and Eupen, together with the Neutral Moresnet...
by Belgium in 1919, it was the highest point of Belgium. Now it is the third highest point at 674 m, after the nearby Signal de Botrange
Signal de Botrange
The Signal de Botrange is the highest point in Belgium, located in the High Fens , at . It is the top of a broad plateau, and a road crosses the summit, passing an adjacent café. In 1923, the six-metre-high Baltia tower was built on the summit to allow visitors to reach an altitude of 700 m...
(694 m) and the Weißer Stein (50°24′30"N 6°22′9"E, 691 m).
The Baraque itself is an inn and the starting point of many excursions. The Baraque Michel was founded between 1811 and 1813 by Michel Schmitz, of Herbiester (a hamlet close to Jalhay
Jalhay
Jalhay is a municipality of Belgium. It lies in the country's Walloon Region and Province of Liege. On January 1, 2006 Jalhay had a total population of 7,953. The total area is 107.75 km² which gives a population density of 74 inhabitants per km². The highest point of the municipality is the...
), already as an inn, but also as refuge for stray travellers: a bell was sounded there during fog
Fog
Fog is a collection of water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air at or near the Earth's surface. While fog is a type of stratus cloud, the term "fog" is typically distinguished from the more generic term "cloud" in that fog is low-lying, and the moisture in the fog is often generated...
, which allowed the rescue of more than one hundred of people during the 19th century.
The establishment was also used as relay for the mail coach
Mail coach
In Great Britain, the mail coach or post coach was a horse-drawn carriage that carried mail deliveries, from 1784. In Ireland, the first mail coach began service from Dublin in 1789. The coach was drawn by four horses and had seating for four passengers inside. Further passengers were later allowed...
es, that connected the two then Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
n towns of Eupen
Eupen
Eupen is a municipality in the Belgian province of Liège, from the German border , from the Dutch border and from the "High Fens" nature reserve...
and Malmedy
Malmedy
Malmedy is a municipality of Belgium. It lies in the country's Walloon Region, Province of Liège. It belongs to the French Community of Belgium, within which it is French-speaking with facilities for German-speakers. On January 1, 2006 Malmedy had a total population of 11,829...
. The direct connection was partly through Belgian territory, along the current N68 road.
Several rivers of Belgium, part of the basin of Vesdre
Vesdre
thumb|right|250px|The course of the VesdreThe Weser or Vesdre is a river in eastern Belgium, in the province of Liège, and is a right tributary to the river Ourthe. Its source lies in the High Fens , close to the border with Germany near Monschau...
, take their source in the vicinity. The principal ones are Gileppe
Gileppe
The Gileppe is a river in Belgium with a length of about 20 km. It is a left tributary of the Vesdre. Its source is in the High Fens of eastern Belgium. The Gileppe flows through an artificial lake , built in 1867-1878 and enlarged to 1.3 square kilometres in 1968-1971, creaed by the Gileppe Dam...
, Hoëgne
Hoëgne
The Hoëgne is a river in Belgium, a left tributary of the Vesdre. Its source is in the High Fens of eastern Belgium, near the Signal de Botrange. The Hoëgne flows through Theux, and ends in the Vesdre in Pepinster....
and Helle.