|
vertical divider
Celles |
lovely village in the province of Namur, founded in 669 with the arrival of the monk Hadelin. Situated in a valley, it prides itself on being one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia. Its most valuable monuments are: the collegiate church of St. Hadelin, which is a great example of Romanesque architecture, and the hermitage of St. Hadelin. Castle Vevés is two kilometers away. Celles is an oasis of peace, an obvious choice for tourists who sometimes like to go off the beaten track.
|
St. Hadelin's Collegiate Church
The temple is included in the list of the greatest monuments of Wallonia. This is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Belgium. Built from the local stone, the temple was built in 1040. There are two crypts under the church, from the 7th and 12th centuries. The nave is twice as high and twice as wide as the aisles. In the front of the choir one can admire simple and stylish stalls from the 13th century. The patron saint of the church is Saint Hadelin, who came to these lands with Saint Remaclus, the founder of the Stavelot Abbey.
Also noteworthy are the tombs of the aristocracy of this region and the 13th-century baptismal font. Due to the miracles attributed to Saint Hadelin, the village became an important place of pilgrimage. About 882 the church, along with thirteen monasteries of the Principality of Liege, became a victim of the Norman invasion. The plundered and completely burned temple was resurrected by the Prince-Bishop of Liege, who established a chapter and a sanctuary here.
Also noteworthy are the tombs of the aristocracy of this region and the 13th-century baptismal font. Due to the miracles attributed to Saint Hadelin, the village became an important place of pilgrimage. About 882 the church, along with thirteen monasteries of the Principality of Liege, became a victim of the Norman invasion. The plundered and completely burned temple was resurrected by the Prince-Bishop of Liege, who established a chapter and a sanctuary here.
On the hill stands the hermitage of Saint Hadelin. Stairs decorated with the Stations of the Cross lead to it. Neo-Romanesque buildings were built in the nineteenth century. Today there is a kindergarten here. There is a statue of Saint Hadelin in the courtyard. You can also reach the feudal castle via the road leading to the hermitage Vevés. Within a radius of about 10 kilometers from Celles are also the beautiful castles of Walzin and Freyr as well as Dinant, a charming town and birthplace of Adolf Sax, the saxophone maker.
Located in the lovely valley of Celles, it radiates tranquility. There are stone houses around a small stream that cuts the village in half. Climatic restaurants await tourists, where you can relax during a break between sightseeing. A German tank standing in the village reminds us that Celles was the place where, on 24 December 1945, US troops stopped the German advance during the Battle of the Ardennes.
Located in the lovely valley of Celles, it radiates tranquility. There are stone houses around a small stream that cuts the village in half. Climatic restaurants await tourists, where you can relax during a break between sightseeing. A German tank standing in the village reminds us that Celles was the place where, on 24 December 1945, US troops stopped the German advance during the Battle of the Ardennes.