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Halle |
A city located in the province of Flemish Brabant, on the border between the Flemish plains to the north and the rolling lands of Wallonia to the south. In 1225, Jeanne, Countess of Flanders and Hainaut, granted him the rights of liberty. The tourist trail leads through the center of the old town. There are two architectural treasures of Halle: the Renaissance town hall and the Gothic Basilica of St. Martin. After bringing the miraculous statue of the Mother of God in 1267, the city became a place of pilgrimage.
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In Lembeek, 2,5 kilometers from Halle, beer lovers have the opportunity to visit the Boon Brewery. Various types of Lambic beers are brewed here. The most famous are Oude Geuze Boon and Kriek Boon with a cherry flavor. In summer, the brewery opens to visitors. In nearby Beersel, an oasis of greenery and recreation has been created in the park where the 19th-century Huizingen Castle is located. A place full of attractions has been created on 91 hectares, which will especially delight children. Fans of defensive architecture should visit the nearby ruins of Beersel Castle.
Hallerbos is a forest of 552 hectares, mainly located in the municipality of Halle in Flemish Brabant. A small part also in Walloon Brabant. The forest is known in the region for carpets consisting of common hyacinth. The flower covering the forest floor for several weeks in spring attracts many visitors.
Hallerbos is a forest of 552 hectares, mainly located in the municipality of Halle in Flemish Brabant. A small part also in Walloon Brabant. The forest is known in the region for carpets consisting of common hyacinth. The flower covering the forest floor for several weeks in spring attracts many visitors.
Halle's centuries-old history is evidenced by its monuments. Most of it is concentrated around a small market square, dominated by the tower of St. Martin's Basilica. The current town hall was built in 1616. Gothic details are also woven into this Renaissance building. It was built on the site of the town hall built in 1432, which burn down in 1595. There is a statue of Adrien-François Servais in front of the town hall,Servaisa, famous 19th-century cellist from Halle. On Cardijnstraat 7 stands a Baroque building, built in the mid-17th century as a Jesuit college.
Saint Martin's Basilica
In 1267, Aleydis, Countess Hainaut brought a statue of the Virgin Mary with Baby Jesus to the city. When the statue turned black after some time, it began to be called the Black Madonna. Since then, the temple has become a place of pilgrimage for the faithful. The cult of Mary began to attract important visitors such as Edward I of England and Louis of Bavaria. Even King Louis XI of France decided to bury his dead son in Halle. The temple was becoming too small, so in 1341 the construction of a new Gothic church began, which in 1946 was raised to the rank of a basilica.
Treasures of the Basilica
In the Trazegnies Chapel there is a wonderful retable (altarpiece), made in 1533 by Jan Mone, commissioned by Emperor Charles V. This extraordinary work was intended to strengthen faith. The lower panels depict the seven sacraments, above the sculpture of Saint Martin sitting on the back of a horse. Hosts were kept in the tabernacle at the top. For centuries, the retable was part of the main altar. In 1910 it was moved to the Chapel of Trazegnies.
Many treasures of sacred art have been collected in the basilica. The most magnificent are: the baptismal font was created in 1446 in Tournai, the intricately carved tabernacle, the 15th-century brass rostrum in the shape of an eagle with outstretched wings, the 17th-century baroque lectern, and the figure of the Black Madonna on top of the main altar. Every year on Pentecost (last Sunday in May), the statue of the Black Madonna is carried at the head of the procession through the streets of Halle. At the top of the 71-meter tower of the temple of Saint Martin there is a carillon with 34 bells.
Many treasures of sacred art have been collected in the basilica. The most magnificent are: the baptismal font was created in 1446 in Tournai, the intricately carved tabernacle, the 15th-century brass rostrum in the shape of an eagle with outstretched wings, the 17th-century baroque lectern, and the figure of the Black Madonna on top of the main altar. Every year on Pentecost (last Sunday in May), the statue of the Black Madonna is carried at the head of the procession through the streets of Halle. At the top of the 71-meter tower of the temple of Saint Martin there is a carillon with 34 bells.
Address:
Grote Markt 21 1500 Halle |
Opening hours:
8.00-17.30 |
Ticket price:
for free |