Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek

Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek Review

The elaborate Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek is one of the most beautiful medieval monuments in the world. The original church was built on Roman foundations in the 4th century and was the first stone cathedral north of the Alps. A siege in 1213 destroyed everything but the 12th-century Romanesque cloister; soon afterward construction of the present-day Basilica of Our Lady began, a project that would take three centuries to complete. It is open daily from 8-6 (entrance is free). The Chapter House contains the schatkamer, the richest collection of religious art in the country, including a 6th-century ivory diptych of St. Paul, a Merovingian gold buckle from the same century, and a truly magnificent head of Christ sculpted in wood in the 11th century. The central nave, up to the pulpit, the choir, and the south transept, dates from 1240. The candlesticks and lectern, from 1372, are the work of Jehan de Dinant, one of a number of outstanding metalworkers who flourished in the Meuse valley at that time. The basilica has excellent acoustics and is often used for symphony concerts. Grote Markt. 012/39-40-34. www.tongeren.be. €2.50. 1 Apr.-Sept. 3, Mon. 1:30-5, Tues.-Sun. 10-noon and 1:30-5.