Dinant
Quick Summary
Dinant is a town in Belgium, located in the Wallonia region, situated on the Meuse River. It is historically known for its brass ware, called dinanderie, which was produced there from the late medieval period. The town's name became synonymous with high-quality brass items like ewers, candlesticks, and basins.1
Dinant is also recognized as the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone. The Lesse River, a tributary of the Meuse, flows near Dinant and is known for the Grottoes of Han, a cave system with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. The town has also experienced historical sieges and damage, including during World War I and World War II.234
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
- history of the Low CountriesFrankish rule
, Dinant, Namur, Huy, and Liège) developed. The more or less independent area on the North Sea coast, however, found itself threatened during the 7th century by the rise of the Frankish nobles. In particular, the family of the Pippins, who came from the centre of…
Read More, Dinant, Namur, Huy, and Liège) developed. The more or less independent area on the North Sea coast, however, found itself threatened during the 7th century by the rise of the Frankish nobles. In particular, the family of the Pippins, who came from the centre of…
Read More - history of the Low CountriesGrowth of Flanders
…from Liège, Huy, Namur, and Dinant are named in 11th-century toll tariffs from London and Koblenz. This trade was supplied mainly by the textile industry of Maastricht, Huy, and Nivelles and by the metal industry of Liège and Dinant. Trade in Brabant, actively supported by the dukes, used the road,…
Read More…from Liège, Huy, Namur, and Dinant are named in 11th-century toll tariffs from London and Koblenz. This trade was supplied mainly by the textile industry of Maastricht, Huy, and Nivelles and by the metal industry of Liège and Dinant. Trade in Brabant, actively supported by the dukes, used the road,…
Read More
- dinanderie
…the 15th century its centre, Dinant, had become a prosperous town the name of which was synonymous with excellent brass ware. Included in the production were such domestic articles as ewers, fire irons, candlesticks, dishes, and basins and such ecclesiastical objects as censers, aquamaniles, fonts, and lecterns.
Read More…the 15th century its centre, Dinant, had become a prosperous town the name of which was synonymous with excellent brass ware. Included in the production were such domestic articles as ewers, fire irons, candlesticks, dishes, and basins and such ecclesiastical objects as censers, aquamaniles, fonts, and lecterns.
Read More 
metalworkEurope from the Middle AgesThe Dinant workshops, which formed the main center for bronze casting in the Meuse district in the Middle Ages, specialized in what are known as “eagle lecterns.” These are book stands with ornamental pedestals, with the panel supporting the enormous missals taking the form of the…
Read MoreThe Dinant workshops, which formed the main center for bronze casting in the Meuse district in the Middle Ages, specialized in what are known as “eagle lecterns.” These are book stands with ornamental pedestals, with the panel supporting the enormous missals taking the form of the…
Read More- metalworkGermany and the Low Countries
The Dinant workshops, in the Meuse district, continued to dominate production until well past the middle of the 15th century, just as they had since the days of Charlemagne. But when Philip III the Good, duke of Burgundy, laid siege to the town in 1466, then…
Read MoreThe Dinant workshops, in the Meuse district, continued to dominate production until well past the middle of the 15th century, just as they had since the days of Charlemagne. But when Philip III the Good, duke of Burgundy, laid siege to the town in 1466, then…
Read More