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Liège has been an important religious center all through the ages. Even today the city boasts an impressive number of churches. Here are some of the most important ones.

SAINT JACQUES  (Saint James' church)
The splendid gothic interior and ceiling of the Eglise St. Jacques.Probably the most beautiful and most impressive church of Liège. Originally the church was meant as a stop for pilgrims on the road to Santiago the Compostella in Spain. The building offers a nice overview of the different stages in medieval architecture. Their are remainders from the first Ottonian church of the 12th century. The nave and the choir show the typical late-gothic style of the 16th century. The Northern entrance has a Renaissance sculpture 'The dream of Jacob'.  Inside, all the attention is drawn to the magnificent gothic vaults with their arabesques in early Renaissance style. They belong to the most beautiful on the continent. Some stained-glass windows from 1525 portray the donators (the families Van der Marck and Hornes), as well as Saint Lambert and Saint James. In a side-chapel is a beautiful gilded wooden sculpture of  Our-Lady of Saint James from 1523.

EGLISE SAINT BARTHELEMY (Saint Bartholomew church)
This church was built by the successor of Bishop Notger The choir dates from the 11th century, the transepts and the nave are from the 12th century. The Western façade in typical Mosan style (the style from the cities situated alongside the river Meuse) was constructed at the end of the 12th century. The church is already worth a visit for the splendid baptismal font made by Renier d'Huy, one of the seven wonders of Belgium. Other art treasures  from the 17th and 18th century complete the attraction of this building.

 

CATHEDRALE  DE SAINT PAUL (Saint Paul's Cathedral)
The cathedral was founded in the 10th century but rebuilt from the 13th until the 15th century. In 1801 the church was promoted to cathedral to replace the demolished St. Lambert Cathedral. Consequently, changes were undertaken to prepare St. Paul's for its new function. The building shows the typical elements of the Mosan Gothic style: three naves with seven bays and chapels. The entrance is on the Northern side. On the ceiling some beautiful frescoes can be The nave of St. Paul's cathedral in Liège. admired. They date from 1557 (renovated in 1860) and show a panoply of people, birds, arabesques and mythical animals. Saint Paul's cathedral possesses a splendid treasure with ivory artifacts from the 11th century as well as the golden relic-shrine of St. Lambert (donated by Bishop Everhard van der Marck) and a smaller relic-shrine offered by Duke Charles the Bold (probably to make up for the destruction and plundering of the city that he had ordered). Another art treasure: the marble sculpture of 'Christ in his grave' made by Delcour in 1696.

SAINT MARTIN (Saint Martin's church)
The 'Eglise St Martin'.Bishop Notger chose Saint Martin as the patron saint of this church from the 10th century. Saint Martin was the patron of the warriors. Hereby, Notger, accentuated the military role of the church, which was building on the old fortifications of the city. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1291, rebuilt in the 15th century, plundered by the troops of Charles the Bold and subsequently reconstructed and redecorated. It is, nevertheless, a nice example of Mosan Gothic style. The beauty of the choir is highlighted by the decorative ceiling with its many stars (1525). It was in this church that for the first time 'Sacrament's Day' was celebrated. This celebration in honour of the Holy Sacrament became an official celebration in 1264 for all Catholics after it had been recognized and approved of by Pope Urban IV.
 


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