The Church of Our Lady of Assumption (1210-1225) in Damme (West Flanders), Belgium
The Church of Our Lady of Assumption is a church building in the Belgian city of Damme. The church is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. Around 1180 a house of prayer dedicated to Our Lady was built on the south side of Damme, probably originally a chapel of the parish of Oostkerke. The growth of the city necessitated the establishment of a new parish and the construction of a new church. The place of worship was transformed around 1210-1225 into an early Gothic three-aisled basilica cruciform church with a west tower. Expansions followed in the 13th and 14th centuries due to population growth. In 1578 the church was looted by beggars, but the 14th-century apostle statues and the late Gothic rood screen were spared. Restoration followed between 1621 and 1626. The poor condition of the church, the lack of funds for a thorough restoration and the decline of the city that caused the population to decline, led to a partial demolition of the church. In 1704 a discussion arose between the ecclesiastical and civil authorities, which required permission. A compromise was finally approved by the Great Council of Mechelen on March 17, 1725. The same year the transept and nave and in 1727 the spire were demolished. Two walls of the nave were kept for stability and support for the tower. The side choirs were closed off with new western walls and a large porch was built in front of the middle choir, encompassing the lower part of the old rood screen. Money was collected throughout the diocese to pay for the works. The church was restored again, first between 1890 and 1895 and later between 1902 and 1904. The plaster was removed from the brick and medieval wall paintings were lost. At present no worship services are held in this church anymore.
Size: 5760px × 3840px
Location: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, Kerkstraat, 8340 Damme, West Flanders, Belgium, Europe
Photo credit: © DE ROCKER / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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