Statue of Our Lady of Tongeren (1475) inside the 13th-century Gothic Basilica of Our Lady in Tongeren, Belgium


The Tongeren Basilica (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Basiliek), built in Gothic style in the thirteenth century, where recent excavations have produced some of the richest archaeological finds in Flanders. Archaeological excavations have proven the presence of an edifice here starting from the fourth century, while a Carolingian prayer house existed here in the ninth century. The building of the choir of the present basilica began in 1240. Nave, transepts and side chapels were added between the thirteenth and fifteenth century. The original Romanesque tower was replaced by the present, 64-metre-tall (210-foot) Gothic tower from 1442 until 1541. The basilica's interior is home to the statue of Our Lady of Tongeren, erected in 1475. The treasury is housed in the former hall of the Chapter and comprises one of the richest collections of religious art in Belgium.


Size: 3744px × 5616px
Location: Basilica of Our Lady, Onze-Lieve-Vrouwestraat 6, 3700 Tongeren, Limburg, Belgium, Western Europe
Photo credit: © DE ROCKER / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 15th-century, art, artwork, attraction, baby, basilica, basiliek, belgian, belgium, carved, catholic, child, christ, close-, closeup, crown, detail, europe, european, flanders, flemish, holy, jesus, lady, limburg, madonna, maria, marie, mary, mother, onze-lieve-vrouwe, relic, roman, sacred, sculpture, sightseeing, statue, tongeren, tongern, tongres, tourism, tourist, travel, virgin, visitor, woman, wood, woodcarving, wooden, woodwork