BINCHES |
Vertical Divider
A town in the province of Hainaut, between Mons and Charleroi, first mentioned in 1124 in a letter from the Bishop of Cambrai, Bruchard. The growing number of traders and craftsmen settling in the city led to rapid economic development and, consequently, the need to defend it. Therefore, Baldwin IV ordered the construction of the first defensive walls, which were expanded to their maximum length in the 14th century. Nowadays, the wonderfully preserved walls and the carnival are the showcase of Binche.
|
CITY OF ART, HISTORY AND FOLKLORE
In the main square, the town hall attracts attention, along with the bell tower. Built mainly in the 16th century, this building has three arcades dating back to the 14th century. The bell tower, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999, features a carillon consisting of 25 bells, the oldest of which dates back to 1596. Over the centuries, the town hall has been rebuilt many times. In the years 1896-1899 its interior was completely changed.
Collegiate Church of St. Ursmar
History of the Collegiate Church of St. Ursmara is associated with the abbey founded here in 1408 by this saint. In 1554, during the devastation of the castle of Mary of Hungary by the French troops of Henry II, the temple also suffered serious damage. Its reconstruction was undertaken by the famous architect from Mons, Jacques Du Broeucq. In the 12th century, a Romanesque church dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel stood on the site of the existing temple. The base of the tower, the western entrance, and several sections of the wall, which were remnants of the old temple, were incorporated into the newly built collegiate church of St. Ursmar.
The magnificent rood screen, dating from 1592, is an extraordinary example of the Renaissance. Its creator was Thierry Bidart. The upper part of the tower was built in 1583, and in 1621 it was topped with an onion-shaped dome. Most of the stained glass windows, with the exception of those in the choir dating from 1850, date from the turn of the century. Near the church there is also a chapel of St. Andrew and the old cemetery.
In 1545, the architect Jacques Du Broeuck began construction of a palace for Mary of Hungary. To make room for the new building, the castle that had existed here since the 12th century was demolished. In 1549 the work was completed. After Henry II's soldiers set fire to the palace in 1554, part of it was rebuilt and converted into apartments. The excessive costs of maintaining the palace led to its demolition in 1704. After archaeological research, traces of the residence of Mary of Hungary were discovered. Nowadays, there is a city park in this place, in front of which stands a statue of Gille, the main figure of the Binche carnival, which takes place, under the auspices of UNESCO, on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
Defensive walls
The growth of importance and wealth of Binche made it necessary to build defensive walls. The first of them were probably built before 1147. The city was constantly expanding, with new inhabitants and, consequently, new buildings. At the beginning of the 13th century the old walls became an obstacle to further development. Therefore, in 1230 the expansion of the city fortifications began. Ultimately, the walls stretched for 2,126 meters. They were supported by about 30 towers and six gates. Only part of the fortifications, included in the List of Special Heritage Sites of Wallonia in 1947, have survived to this day. Today, beautifully preserved, they are one of the city's landmarks and proof of its centuries-old history.
International Museum of Masks and Carnival
The museum was established in 1975 in buildings that housed a school run by the Augustinian Order in the 18th century. Here we will find masks and disguises from all over the world and we will learn what ritual functions they fulfilled. We will learn about European carnivals, especially the annual carnival in Binche.
Carnival in Binche |
Vertical Divider
In 2003, recognized by UNESCO as A masterpiece of oral and the intangible heritage of humanity . The origins of the carnival are unknown, but it is known that it is one of the most interesting carnivals in Wallonia, whose fame goes beyond the borders of Belgium.
|
During Carnival, about a thousand Gilles walk through the streets of Binche, dressed in characteristic costumes. They may only be worn by men from families living in Binche or by those who have been a resident of the city for at least five years. Next to Gilles are also girls and boys dressed as Harlequins and the youngest children dressed as Pierrot (a character in French pantomime). Throughout Binche there are monuments depicting the main characters of the festival.
