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Monument · Spa, Liège
Pouhon Pierre-le-Grand
An 1880 pavilion that houses Spa’s most abundant spring, with naturally sparkling, iron-rich water. It bears the name of Tsar Peter the Great, who took the waters there in 1717, and serves as the town's tourist information centre.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Pouhon Pierre-le-Grand
Pouhon is the local word for Spa’s iron-rich springs. The Pouhon Pierre-le-Grand, in the town centre, is the most abundant of them: the water emerges naturally with gas, rich in iron and mineral salts, reaching about 21,000 litres per day.
The name recalls the Russian tsar Peter the Great, who spent time in Spa in 1717 to treat an illness and credited the waters with his improvement. His visit helped spread the town’s fame among European courts. A bust of the tsar stands on the site.
The current pavilion, dating from 1880, was designed by Victor Besme, with large windows and a spacious hall. On the wall is the Livre d'Or, a 9‑metre-long painting by Antoine Fontaine depicting 92 famous figures who came to take the waters of Spa.
The pavilion houses the town’s tourist information centre. It is the place to taste the water straight from the spring, pick up maps of walks to the other springs and learn about the thermal history before heading to the park and the baths.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Allow 20 to 30 minutes to taste the water, see the Livre d'Or and collect information.
Best time
Right at the start of a Spa walk, in the morning or afternoon, during the opening hours of the tourist information centre.
How to get there
It is on rue du Marché in central Spa, a few minutes' walk from Spa and Spa-Géronstère stations and next to the Place Royale.
Tip
Try just a sip first: the water has a strong iron taste and is not to everyone’s liking. Ask at the counter for the map of springs scattered through the surrounding forest, which make for pleasant walks.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Pouhon Pierre-le-Grand
Can you drink the water from the Pouhon?
Yes, it is served in the pavilion. It is carbonated and has a pronounced iron taste.
What does Peter the Great have to do with Spa?
The Russian czar took the waters at Spa in 1717. The spring and the pavilion are named after him.