Kortrijk (Courtrai) |
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a town in Belgium located 10 kilometers from the border with France, in the south of West Flanders. Tourists heading to the old Flemish towns or the Ypres bridgehead often skip them. Wrongly, because the city has many interesting monuments to visit. You can admire it here a beautiful beguinage and bell tower, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, town hall, interesting museums or the Church of Our Lady with a stunning painting by Anton van Dyck Elevation of the Cross.
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Beguinage of Saint Elizabeth |
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is one of the most interesting monuments in Kortrijk. This wonderfully preserved, quiet corner surrounded by walls was the place where beguines lived from the 13th century. The exact date of the founding of the Beguinage is 1238, but over the centuries it was destroyed and then rebuilt several times. What you can admire today was built at the end of the 17th century.
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Beguinage was surrounded by a castle, city walls and the cemetery of the church of St. Marcin. It is situated between the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Church of St. Marcin. In 1998, Beguinage in Kortrijk was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Here you will find 41 small Baroque houses from the 17th century, where beguines lived. Each house has a fenced front garden. Three chapels, including the Gothic chapel of St. Matthew from 1464, which was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 18th century. In the chapel there are, supposedly, the oldest original ones in the Netherlands. organ from 1687. In house number 41, located next to the entrance to the Beguinage, a small museum was created. In a special room you can see how the beguines lived. In a beautiful building with an octagonal tower, made of red brick, In the former house of the Mother Superior there is the Beguinage Museum, and opposite it is a small guesthouse , De Begijnhofkamers . The museum presents heritage using multimedia techniques beguines over the centuries.
Beguinage is located on the Begijnhofstraat. In summer it is open from 7am to 7pm, and in winter from 7am to 6pm.
Chapel of St. Mateusz is open on weekdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The chapel remains closed on Monday. The museum, located in the former Mother Superior’s House, is open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Monday.
Chapel of St. Mateusz is open on weekdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The chapel remains closed on Monday. The museum, located in the former Mother Superior’s House, is open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Monday.
Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, photo: PM
Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Inze-Lieve-Wrouwekerk)
The construction of the church began in 1199, on the initiative of Count Baldwin IX. To this day, only the western façade, nave and transept have retained their Gothic character.
The towers were built at the end of the 13th century.
After the Battle of Westrozebeke in 1382, the church was largely destroyed and then rebuilt.
Later, the interior was decorated in the Baroque style. Guido Gezelle, priest and poet, was chaplain at this church from 1872 to 1889.
(Inze-Lieve-Wrouwekerk)
The construction of the church began in 1199, on the initiative of Count Baldwin IX. To this day, only the western façade, nave and transept have retained their Gothic character.
The towers were built at the end of the 13th century.
After the Battle of Westrozebeke in 1382, the church was largely destroyed and then rebuilt.
Later, the interior was decorated in the Baroque style. Guido Gezelle, priest and poet, was chaplain at this church from 1872 to 1889.
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Interior of the church
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The alabaster sculpture created by Andre Beauneveu between 1372 and 1373 is a masterpiece of sculpture. In the left hand of Saint Catherine holds the symbolic wheel on which her enemies tried to break her. Her right hand holds the sword with which she defeated those enemies. At his feet you can see one of those defeated by Saint, crouching down and covering his head with his hands. Catherine of enemies.
In the north transept hangs the stunning painting The Elevation of the Cross by Anton Van Dyck, which is part of the altar. The theme of the crucifixion of Christ was extremely popular among medieval painters. What makes this painting stand out is not only the mastery of Anton Van Dyck's brush, but also the way it depicts the crucifixion. We are dealing here with dynamic painting, which at the same time is very emotionally engaging. The viewer does not encounter the figure of Christ who died on the cross, but witnesses his crucifixion. Painting experts claim that when painting this picture, Van Dyck was inspired by his master Rubens (1577-1640). Together with the alabaster sculpture of St. Catherine are the two greatest treasures of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Another interesting monument in the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the baptismal font. It is located in the chapel to the right of the entrance to the church. It is not an original, but only a copy, of the famous baptismal font located in the church in Liege.
In the church we can also find replicas of several hundred spurs taken from the legs of those killed in the battle known as battle of the golden spurs , French knights.
In the church we can also find replicas of several hundred spurs taken from the legs of those killed in the battle known as battle of the golden spurs , French knights.
Also worth seeing is the Princes' Chapel, built on the order of Prince Lodewijk van Maele, who wanted the chapel to be a family mausoleum dedicated to Saint Catherine. Hence, in the chapel there is a statue of St. Catherine commissioned by Andre Beauneveu for van Maele.
We can also admire the figures of the Counts of Flanders painted on the walls. There is a touch screen in the chapel that allows you to learn about the history of this place.
We can also admire the figures of the Counts of Flanders painted on the walls. There is a touch screen in the chapel that allows you to learn about the history of this place.
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Address:
Deken Zegerplein |
Opening hours:
Monday-Friday: 8:00-18:00 Saturday: 9:00-18:00 Sunday: 11.00-18.00 |
Fare:
Free admission |
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Church of St. Marcin |
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the area occupied by the church of St. Martin's Church (Sint-Maartenskerk) was a place of worship already around 650 AD. Later a Romanesque church was built there, and in its place in the Middle Ages a Gothic church was built. It was built in the years 1390-1466. The stone tower, built in the Brabant Gothic style in 1439, rises to a height of 83 meters.
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In 1862, its wooden section burned down completely. Reconstruction took several years. It houses a magnificent carillon with 49 bells. The church consists of three naves. Central nave and two side aisles. The Chapel of St. is added to the left side nave. Anna, rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style after the fire of 1862.
In the church you can admire many unique works of art. The pearls of this magnificent collection are: painted in 1587 by Bernard Rijckere, Triptych of the Holy Spirit and a unique, 6-meter-high Tower of the Sacraments, from 1585. Here you will also find 16th-century chasubles and antependia (a richly decorated covering for the mensa of a Christian altar), which are considered Flemish masterpieces.
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Address: Lange-Streenstraat, 8500 Kortrijk |
Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 7:30-18:00 Saturday, Sunday: 10:00-18:00 |
Fare: Free admission |
Kortrijk 1302-Battle of the Golden Spurs
Broel towers (Broeltorens) are two towers on the Leie River. Even though they look identical, they were not built at the same time. They were also intended for different purposes. The southern tower, called Speyetoren, was built in 1385 to control navigation on the Leie River. It also formed part of the fortified wall defending the first medieval castle in Kortrijk.
The north tower, called Inghelburghtorre, was built in 1415 and served as a weapons depot. Sandstone and limestone were used to build both towers.
The bridge over the river, connecting the two towers, was built in 1385. It has been destroyed and rebuilt many times over the centuries.
The north tower, called Inghelburghtorre, was built in 1415 and served as a weapons depot. Sandstone and limestone were used to build both towers.
The bridge over the river, connecting the two towers, was built in 1385. It has been destroyed and rebuilt many times over the centuries.
In the middle of the bridge there is a monument to Johannes Nepomucemus (1345-1393), a Czech saint who was drowned in the Vitava River by the King Czech Wenceslaus, because of his refusal to reveal the secrets of the confession of the Queen of Bohemia (Sophia of Bavaria). Johannes Nepomucemus is the patron saint against calumnies and, because of his martyrdom, also the patron saint against floods and drowning.
Currently both towers are one of the most recognizable attractions in Kortrijk. Together with the artillery tower, they constitute the last existing parts of the defensive walls around the city.
Currently both towers are one of the most recognizable attractions in Kortrijk. Together with the artillery tower, they constitute the last existing parts of the defensive walls around the city.
Artillery Tower this The 14th-century tower next to Broel Towers, is the last existing part of the medieval city fortifications. It was built, together with the castle, in 1301-1302, on the orders of the King of France, Philip the Fair, who was then waging war against the Count of Flanders, who was his vassal.
The tower was located in a strategic place, between the city moat and the castle moat. Originally, the tower was intended as a drinking water storage facility. However, it was later transformed into a warehouse for cannons, and later served as a place where gunpowder and ammunition were produced and stored. This tower was also part of the fortifications surrounding the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In 1990, archaeologists discovered that the Artillery Tower stood on the remains of an even older tower. During excavations, many well-preserved weapons and ammunition were discovered.
The Artillery Tower can only be visited with a guide. It is located on Deken Zegerplein, next to the Church of Our Lady.
The tower was located in a strategic place, between the city moat and the castle moat. Originally, the tower was intended as a drinking water storage facility. However, it was later transformed into a warehouse for cannons, and later served as a place where gunpowder and ammunition were produced and stored. This tower was also part of the fortifications surrounding the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In 1990, archaeologists discovered that the Artillery Tower stood on the remains of an even older tower. During excavations, many well-preserved weapons and ammunition were discovered.
The Artillery Tower can only be visited with a guide. It is located on Deken Zegerplein, next to the Church of Our Lady.
Battle of the Golden Spurs 1302 This is the biggest victory in the history of Kortrijk and a source of pride for its inhabitants. The date of the victory over the French army is today considered a national holiday. in the Flemish part of Belgium. There are many references to this battle in Kortrijk.
Groeninge Gate and Monument were made on the occasion of the 600th anniversary Battles of the Golden Spurs . They are located where the battle took place. The Arc de Triomphe is made of stone and bears the inscription 1302 Groeningheveld. A little further on in the park stands the gilded statue of the Virgin of Flanders, the work of sculptor Godfried Devreese. In one hand he holds a spear, pointing it at the defeated French knights, and with the other at the proud Flemish lion that has freed itself from French captivity.
Kortrijk 1302 is a museum about the battle of July 11, 1302. Here you can learn about the history of this battle, its heroes, as well as its causes and effects.
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Address:
Begijnhofpark |
Opening hours:
Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00-17:00 |
Fare:
6 euros |
The bell tower is one of the few historic buildings located on the main square in Kortrijk. This is the result of Allied air raids during World War II, especially the one on July 21, 1944, when the Allies dropped around 5,000 bombs on the city centre. The bell tower stands in the central part of the market square. It was part of the former cloth hall. The oldest mention of the cloth hall dates back to 1248. The bell tower was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. UNESCO Heritage. Since 1712, a gilded statue of Mercury (the God of commerce) has stood at its top. The front of the tower is decorated with two figures of Manten and Kalle striking the hour.
On the south-eastern side of the tower is a monument commemorating World War I, unveiled on July 15, 1923. The original hammer clock (Manten) was stolen as war booty by Philip the Bold in 1382 and donated to the city of Dijon, where it decorated the tower of the Church of Our Lady.
On the south-eastern side of the tower is a monument commemorating World War I, unveiled on July 15, 1923. The original hammer clock (Manten) was stolen as war booty by Philip the Bold in 1382 and donated to the city of Dijon, where it decorated the tower of the Church of Our Lady.
Bell tower photo PM
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Bell tower photo PM
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The bell tower and the monument photo. PM
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Town hall- Kortrijk had a town hall as early as the 14th century. However, it was completely destroyed by the French after the victorious Battle of Westrozebeke in 1382. The current town hall was built around 1520 in the Gothic-Renaissance style. transitional. On the external facade you can admire the statues of the main Counts of Flanders. Inside the town hall you should pay attention to The Council Chamber and the Council Chamber , beautiful late Gothic carved fireplaces dating back to 1527, which are the pride of the town hall, stained glass windows, wall paintings, and noteworthy topographic maps. In the Gothic room on the first floor you can see a modern painting depicting the battle Golden Spurs, painted by Jana van Imshoot.
Opening hours: in July and August on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays 15-17. On other days, the town hall can only be visited with a guide.
Opening hours: in July and August on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays 15-17. On other days, the town hall can only be visited with a guide.
Kortrijk City Hall photo. PM
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Kortrijk City Hall photo. PM
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Kortrijk City Hall photo. PM
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