Baraque Michel

Baraque Michel ( German Michel hut) is too Jalhay in Belgium owned hostel in the High Fens, which was founded in 1811/1812 by Michel Henri Schmitz, one originating from the Rhineland Steinmetz.

After Michel Henri Schmitz died in 1819, his family moved into the hut and developed it as an inn for travelers, which was demolished around 1900. After 1865 was compared to a new and much larger building, since the construction of the road Eupen - Malmedy (now N68 ), the course of about 100 meters further south now was the old inn with the back side of the new road was facing. Every evening she rang a bell to stray people to lead the way. This could be saved in the 19th century around 120 people.

From 1815 here was the Prussian border with the Kingdom of the United Netherlands, or from 1830 to 1920 for Belgium. At that time this was the highest point of Belgium, for this reason, but also for military purposes, a lookout tower was built in 1893. Because of disrepair this was demolished in 1972.

In the immediate vicinity is the chapel built in 1831 Fischbach. In the tower of the chapel were once beacons, which should facilitate hikers orientation.

Location

Baraque Michel is right on the road Eupen - Malmedy ( N68 ), 1.5 kilometers north- west of the branch to Botrange. Baraque Michel is at 674 meters is the second highest point in the Fens, after about 4 kilometers south-east located Botrange ( 694 m).

Tourism

Baraque Michel is the starting point for hikes in the High Fens. From Baraque Michel you have access to many hiking trails Venn ( as Les Wez, Poleur Venn, the source of the Hill creek or Grande Vequée ) that are connected to Mont Rigi and Botrange. Some go as far as Botrange Nature Centre or the natural center Ternell.

Baraque Michel as a transmission site

From 1981 to 1984, a local radio station called Radio Benelux ( BNL ) was housed at the Baraque Michel, who took advantage of the exposed position to selectively irradiate programs to Germany. In the years 2008 and 2009, a station called RealFM used with the same goal location.

Legend

To Baraque Michel climbs to a still like published Legend:

" When Michel Schmitz was completely exhausted when crossing the High Fens and got lost, he made the decision that he should escape death, he would build a refuge for travelers at this point. He marked this place with a bar and immediately he found mysteriously back his way, and then built a hut there. "