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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, Joan, Countess of Flanders and Hainaut, granted him the rights of liberty. The tourist trail leads through the center of the old town. Two of Halle's architectural treasures are located here: the Renaissance town hall and the Gothic St. Martin's Basilica. After the miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary was brought here in 1267, the city became a place of pilgrimage.
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In Lembeek, 2.5 kilometres 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 cherry flavor. In summer, the brewery opens to visitors. In nearby Beersel, an oasis of greenery and recreation has been created in the park surrounding the 19th-century Huizingen Castle. On 91 hectares, a place full of attractions has been created that will especially delight children. Fans of defensive architecture should visit the nearby ruins of Beersel Castle.
Hallerbos is a 552-hectare forest located mainly in the municipality of Halle in Flemish Brabant. A small part also in Walloon Brabant. The forest is known in the region for its carpets of common hyacinth. The flower that covers the forest floor for several weeks in spring attracts many visitors.
Hallerbos is a 552-hectare forest located mainly in the municipality of Halle in Flemish Brabant. A small part also in Walloon Brabant. The forest is known in the region for its carpets of common hyacinth. The flower that covers the forest floor for several weeks in spring attracts many visitors.
Halle's centuries-old history is evidenced by its monuments. Most of them are concentrated around a small market square, dominated by the tower of the Basilica of Saint Martin. The current town hall was built in 1616. Gothic details were also incorporated into this Renaissance building. It was built on the site of a town hall built in 1432, which burned down in 1595. There is a monument in front of the town hall Adrien-Fran çoisa Servais, famous 19th-century cellist from Halle. At Cardijnstraat 7 stands a baroque building, built in the mid-17th century as a Jesuit college.
St. Martin's Basilica
In 1267, Aleydis, Countess of Hainaut, brought a statue of the Virgin Mary with Baby Jesus to the city. When, after some time, the statue became black, it began to be called the Black Madonna. From then on, the temple became 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 deceased son in Halle. The temple became too small, so in 1341 construction began on a new, Gothic church, which was raised to the rank of a basilica in 1946.
Treasures of the Basilica
The Trazegnies Chapel houses a magnificent retable (altarpiece), commissioned by Emperor Charles V in 1533 by John Moné. This extraordinary work was intended to strengthen faith. The lower panels depict the seven sacraments, above which is a sculpture of Saint Martin sitting on the back of a horse. At the top of the tabernacle the hosts were kept. For centuries the retable was part of the main altar. In 1910 it was moved to the Trazegnies Chapel.
The basilica houses many treasures of sacred art. The most magnificent items include: a baptismal font built in 1446 in Tournai, an intricately carved tabernacle, a 15th-century brass lectern in the shape of an eagle with spread wings, a 17th-century Baroque lectern, and a statue of the Black Madonna at the top of the main altar. Every year on Whitsunday (the last Sunday of May), the statue of the Black Madonna is carried at the head of a procession through the streets of Halle. At the top of the 71-meter tower of the Saint Martin's Church there is a carillon with 34 bells.
The basilica houses many treasures of sacred art. The most magnificent items include: a baptismal font built in 1446 in Tournai, an intricately carved tabernacle, a 15th-century brass lectern in the shape of an eagle with spread wings, a 17th-century Baroque lectern, and a statue of the Black Madonna at the top of the main altar. Every year on Whitsunday (the last Sunday of May), the statue of the Black Madonna is carried at the head of a procession through the streets of Halle. At the top of the 71-meter tower of the Saint Martin's Church there is a carillon with 34 bells.
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Address:
Grote Markt 21 1500 Halle |
Opening hours:
8.00-17.30 |
Fare:
for free |