The 13th-century Gothic Church of Saint Catherine (left) and the 13th-century Gothic Basilica of Our Lady (right) in Tongeren, Belgium
Left : 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. Right : A rich beguine donated money to build this early Gothic beguinage church (1294). The church was altered several times. For instance, the Baroque arch dates from the 18th-century and the windows were also enlarged. The beguinage of Tongeren was included in the UNESXCO World Heritage List in 1998. The church contains interesting works of art, especially wood-carvings and paintings. Be sure to look at the 17th-century painting above the main altar, the pulpit (dating 1711) in Louis XIV style and the statue of the Passion of Christ. There is a mural above the portal dating from 1524, the "Tree of Jesse".
Size: 5760px × 3840px
Location: Beguinage, Tongeren, Limburg, Flanders, Belgium, Western Europe
Photo credit: © DE ROCKER / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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