school for the Belgian army). A prominent alumnus of this school is Belgian astronaut Frank De Winne. The site was vacated by the army in 1998, acquired by the city, and now houses city hall and the police department. Two artillery pieces are on display on the city hall's patio, as a reminder of the building's past. The city of Lier is also patron city to the Belgian Army's Second Artillery Regiment (now termed the Artillery Battalion). Geography Lier is divided into five main districts: Leuvensepoort, Mechelpoort, Lisp, the city centre and Koningshooikt. The last is a historic village that was administratively joined to the town as a sub-municipality in 1977. Demographics Local government Former mayors Notable people Anton Bergmann, lawyer and writer Cornelis de Bie, lawyer and writer Jan Ceulemans, football player Jean-Baptist David, canon and founder of the Davidsfonds Patrick Dewael, politician, former Minister-President of Flanders Pieter Dox, Missionary killed during the Simba rebellion Wim Henderickx (b. Lier, 1962), composer Isidoor Opsomer, painter Bob Peeters, former football player, now a manager Felix Timmermans, Flemish writer and painter Triggerfinger, rock band Lodewijck Van Boeckel, ornamental smith Herman Van Breda, founder of the Husserl archive Wim Vandekeybus (b. Lier, 1963) choreographer, director, film maker Herman Vanderpoorten, politician (1922–1984) Yanina Wickmayer, tennis player Marc Zabeau (b. Lier, 1949), scientist and businessman Points of interest The Beguinage (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and St Margarita church, 17th century. The St. Gummarus Church, gothic architecture, 14th century; under high altar is grave of Olav Engelbrektsson, last Roman Catholic Archbishop of Nidaros. The Timmermans - Opsomerhuis museum. The Stedelijk Museum Wuyts-Van Campen en Baron Caroly, a fine arts museum. The Town hall, rococo architecture, 18th century. The adjoining 14th century belfry, listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Belfries of Belgium and France. The Zimmer Tower houses a unique astronomical clock built in the 1930s, by Louis Zimmer. In popular culture In 2004, Lier was the host for the third episode of Fata Morgana, the TV show in which Belgian celebrities gave a city or town several challenges. The theme was "Lier 2020" and the inhabitants succeeded in completing all challenges. Gallery See also Lier mammoth References External links (Flemish only) Municipalities of Antwerp Province Populated places in Antwerp Province