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TONGEREN : The Basilica of Our Lady | ||
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GENERAL Tongeren (Home) History Info on Belgium SIGHTSEEING The Basilica The Beguinage St Catherine Church Ambiorix Statue City Walls Gallo-Roman Museum
EXTERNAL LINKS
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One
of the most remarkable monuments of Tongeren is Our Lady’s Basilica with its
majestic 64-metre-high bell tower. This marvelous Gothic church has a
long history, since its first stone was laid in 1240.
According to legend, bishop Saint Servatius
founded a first church on this spot in the 4th century. Archaelogical
researches have indeed discovered masonry from the 4th century and proven
that also in the 9th century a Carolingian prayer house must have existed
here. The building of the choir of the present Basilica was started in 1240.
Nave, transepts and side chapels were added between the 13th and 15th
century. The original romanesque tower was replaced by the present gothic
tower from 1442 until 1541. Behind the Basilica is the Convent, with its
beautiful and tranquile corridors. |
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