Hoogstraten
A town situated in Flanders, surrounded on three sides by the Netherlands. Known around the world from strawberries, grown by 200 family businesses, and from tomatoes, of which about 40 million kilograms are harvested annually.
The city was founded in 1210, and it received privileges from the Duke of Brabant, which contributed to its further development. In 1381 the first mention of the Beguinage and the mills Laermolen and Meerselmolen appeared. . In 1740 Hoogstraten became a duchy. The battle of 1814 ended the period of French occupation.
In 1944, retreating German troops blew up the Church of Saint Catherine. It was rebuilt in the years 1950-1958. In 1985, Hoogstraten received city rights. The year 1988 saw the completion of the renovation of the Beguinage and its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The city was founded in 1210, and it received privileges from the Duke of Brabant, which contributed to its further development. In 1381 the first mention of the Beguinage and the mills Laermolen and Meerselmolen appeared. . In 1740 Hoogstraten became a duchy. The battle of 1814 ended the period of French occupation.
In 1944, retreating German troops blew up the Church of Saint Catherine. It was rebuilt in the years 1950-1958. In 1985, Hoogstraten received city rights. The year 1988 saw the completion of the renovation of the Beguinage and its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Beguinage in Hoogstraten
This extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to a congregation of beguines, was founded in 1380. Beguinage , repeatedly ravaged by fires in the 16th century, experienced a great flourishing in the second half of the 17th century. The number of beguines increased to 160. The construction of a three-nave brick church began then. The work was directed by Libert Fabri in the years 1680-1687.
In the niche above the entrance to the church there is a statue of the Virgin Mary, probably created in the 15th century. On the right side, in the niche of the southern nave, there is a statue of Saint Peter with keys in his crossed hands. In the niche of the north nave there is a statue of Saint Joan of Valois, the founder of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary, founded in 1502. On the black and white marble floor there are several tombstones from the 17th to 19th centuries. Most of the wooden confessionals date from the 17th century, as does the pulpit, made by Theodor Verhaegen. There are also numerous paintings and sculptures in the church.
In the niche above the entrance to the church there is a statue of the Virgin Mary, probably created in the 15th century. On the right side, in the niche of the southern nave, there is a statue of Saint Peter with keys in his crossed hands. In the niche of the north nave there is a statue of Saint Joan of Valois, the founder of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary, founded in 1502. On the black and white marble floor there are several tombstones from the 17th to 19th centuries. Most of the wooden confessionals date from the 17th century, as does the pulpit, made by Theodor Verhaegen. There are also numerous paintings and sculptures in the church.
The non-profit organization Het Convent
When the last beguine left the Hoogstraten beguinage in 1972, its slow decline began. In the early 1990s, a group of residents who wanted to save this wonderful place from complete destruction formed an association. They lacked money, but they had something most important: enthusiasm. The non-profit organization Het Convent received the Beguinage on a 99-year lease. Restoration work began in 1992. On May 2, 1999, the magnificent Hoogstraten Beguinage reopened. Since 1998, together with twelve other Flemish beguinages, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Church of Saint Catherine
The temple was built in the late Gothic style, between 1525 and 1550, by the architect Rombout Keldermans, the main builder of the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp. For such a small town, the church has impressive dimensions. This was because it was also built as the burial place of the first Count and Countess of Hoogstraten, Anthony of Lalaing and Elizabeth of Culemborg. People who were extremely influential in the Empire of Emperor Charles V. In addition to the construction of the temple, they also ordered the construction of the town hall and the renovation of Gelmel Castle.
The church, 80 meters long, with a tower rising to a height of 105 meters, is often called the triumph of bricks . It is one of the tallest brick buildings in the world. In 1944, retreating German troops blew up the church tower. The impetus for the reconstruction, which lasted from 1950 to 1958, was given by Deken Lauwerys. As an expression of gratitude, the residents erected a monument to him near the church.
The church, 80 meters long, with a tower rising to a height of 105 meters, is often called the triumph of bricks . It is one of the tallest brick buildings in the world. In 1944, retreating German troops blew up the church tower. The impetus for the reconstruction, which lasted from 1950 to 1958, was given by Deken Lauwerys. As an expression of gratitude, the residents erected a monument to him near the church.
Treasures of Saint Catherine's Church
Inside the church there are magnificent treasures of sacred art, including 16th-century stained glass windows, Brussels tapestries, Renaissance tombs and impressive choir stalls. Above the main altar there are seven monumental, fourteen-meter stained glass windows depicting the seven holy sacraments. Their creator was the 16th-century artist Anton Evertz. The extraordinary stained glass window in the north aisle was created in 1535 by Pieter Coecke van Aelst. The late Gothic stalls in the choir were decorated with proverbs and moralizing sayings.
In the altar of the Holy Blood there is a reliquary with a drop of blood, which is carried during the procession of the Holy Blood from Hoogstraten. The relics were transferred here from the Dutch town of Boxtel in 1652. Since then, this event has been an extremely important part of the city's cultural heritage. Over the centuries, the procession has become a mixture of Christian, historical, cultural and folkloric elements.
The mausoleum of the founders of the Church of Saint Catherine, made of alabaster and marble, The burial of Count and Countess Hoogstraten, Anthony of Lalaing and Elizabeth of Culemborg is a jewel of the funeral heritage. The Count is presented here in full armor, as a knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Countess in an ermine cape. The lion and dog lying at their feet are meant to symbolize loyalty and courage.
In the altar of the Holy Blood there is a reliquary with a drop of blood, which is carried during the procession of the Holy Blood from Hoogstraten. The relics were transferred here from the Dutch town of Boxtel in 1652. Since then, this event has been an extremely important part of the city's cultural heritage. Over the centuries, the procession has become a mixture of Christian, historical, cultural and folkloric elements.
The mausoleum of the founders of the Church of Saint Catherine, made of alabaster and marble, The burial of Count and Countess Hoogstraten, Anthony of Lalaing and Elizabeth of Culemborg is a jewel of the funeral heritage. The Count is presented here in full armor, as a knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Countess in an ermine cape. The lion and dog lying at their feet are meant to symbolize loyalty and courage.
