Sint-Truiden
The small town, whose French name is Saint-Trond, is situated about 20 kilometers west of Tongeren. It grew around an abbey founded in the 7th century by Saint Trudo. After his death, the abbey became a center of pilgrimages that brought wealth to the neighboring town. The 11th century was a period of special development of the city and an increase in the population of its inhabitants. At that time, Abbot Adelardus built the main abbey church and two churches in the city.
In 1129 year the city was surrounded by a stone wall. In the 13th century, the fortified Sint-Truiden, together with 23 the main cities, was incorporated into the Liege bishopric. In the 1467 year, the city was captured by Charles the Bold and from that period began its slow decline, which lasted until the nineteenth century. In the 1675 year, the city walls were pulled down, and during the French Revolution some of the religious congregations were dissolved and many monuments were destroyed. During the Second World War, one of the most famous Luftwaffe squadrons, the Night Fighter, was stationed here.
Church of the Virgin Mary in Sint-Truiden
This partly Gothic, and partly neo-Gothic building is the third church built in this place. The first was built in the 11th century under the leadership of Abbot Adelardus II. In 1086 it was completely destroyed by fire. The first mention of the second church built in this place comes from 1107 year, but the exact date of its construction is unknown. In 1399 the year the church was raised to the rank of collegiate church.
The choir of the present church dates from the fourteenth century, the nave and aisles from the fifteenth century. The Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary was commissioned by the abbey in 1542. The present church tower was built in the years 1847-1852 according to the design of architect J. Gerard.
Inside the temple, on the arch, there is a mural depicting the Last Judgment, the work of Johannes Van den Eyde from 1626. A 16th-century polychrome cross hangs in the nave.
Inside the temple, on the arch, there is a mural depicting the Last Judgment, the work of Johannes Van den Eyde from 1626. A 16th-century polychrome cross hangs in the nave.
Other notable treasures include the polychrome wooden statue of the Madonna and Child (14th century), late Gothic sculptures from around 1500, such as the oak statue of Christ on the cross, the polychrome statue of Christ on the stone (16th century), and Christ in the tomb, also from the 16th century. A polychrome wooden statue of the Madonna and Child from the Baroque period, attributed to the sculptor Artus Quellinus the Younger (17th century).
The eighteenth-century side altar of Saint. Lucy, oak pulpit (1773 year), neogothic choir stalls, brass baptismal font from about 1860 year. In addition, tombstones from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. You can admire the unique religious heritage in the treasury. Many objects come from the former Sint-Truiden Abbey. The most important are reliquaries Sint-Trudo and Sint-Eucherius, silver statues of apostles, gilded monstrances, liturgical vestments.
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Address:
Grote Markt z / n 3800 Sint-Truiden |
Opening hours:
monday-sunday 8.30-17.30 |
Ticket price:
free |
Town hall
The 18th-century town hall was built around the belfry built in 1606, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The tower has a clock and a magnificent carillon with 50 bells. Together with the tower of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the 11th-century tower, which is a remnant of the abbey of Saint Trudo, they tower over the market square in Saint-Trond. Inside the town hall there is a tourist information office and a shop selling regional products.
The tower has a clock and a magnificent carillon with 50 bells. Together with the tower of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the 11th-century tower, which is a remnant of the abbey of Saint Trudo, they tower over the market square in Saint-Trond. Inside the town hall there is a tourist information office and a shop selling regional products.
Beguinage of saint Agnes-List of World Heritage UNESCO
Beguinage of St. Agnes was built in the middle of the 13th century. In its heyday, over 200 beguines lived here. Most of the historic houses date from the 17th and 18th centuries. They were built in place of half of the wooden houses that burned down in the fire. In the year 1998 Beguinage has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are thirteen beguinages from Belgium on it.
Beguinage in Saint-Trond it is not as beautiful as those in Leuven, Kortrijk or Lier. Historic houses are intertwined here with those built today. What undoubtedly attracts tourists to this place is primarily the church, and especially what it hides inside. This Romanesque-Gothic temple, with a turret on the top of the roof, intrigues with a series of 38 murals from the 13th-17th centuries and the 17th-century organ, believed to be the oldest functioning organ in Belgium. Their creator was Christian Ancion from Hoei (1644-1646).
The interior of the church, apart from the pulpit, is devoid of any furniture. Once inside, the ubiquitous emptiness catches the eye. The ascetic interior of the church allows you to focus on these unique wall paintings depicting religious life in the Middle Ages. The austere interior of the temple is enhanced by an old stone floor, a wooden vault, and walls painted white. Beguinage it is located about 1,5 km from the center, but it is worth taking the time to get here, as the city tour will not be complete if you do not visit this monument, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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Address:
Begijnhof, 3800 Sint-Truiden |
Opening hours:
Monday Friday 10.00- 12.30 and 13.30 -17.00 Saturday Sunday 13.30- 17.00 |
Ticket price:
free |
Tower of Saint Trudo Abbey
Saint Trudo, son of Count Haspengouw, founded the abbey in 664, which after his death, in 693 and subsequent canonization, was transformed into a sanctuary. The abbey flourished, becoming one of the largest monastic complexes in the Netherlands. The city of Sint-Truiden, which received city rights in the 11th century, began to emerge around it. AIn 883 the Viking tribes destroyed the Church of St. It's hard. Emperor Otto I protected the destroyed abbey, and in 945 Abbot Adelbaro built a new church, which was replaced in the 11th century by an even larger structure.
The preserved tower dates back to the 11th century and attached to it a Baroque gate from the 17th century. Behind the gate there are the remains of three churches and an underground crypt. The tower had a height of 66,7 m. Unfortunately, a mighty fire of 1975 year destroyed the spire added in the eighteenth century.
Currently, the tower is 35 meters high and thanks to the observation platform located on the top is a place from which you have a magnificent view of the city skyline. Visiting the tower is possible only in pairs (security considerations), that is why people visiting alone should ask at the tourist information office to join a group of tourists. Admission to the tower costs 4 Euro.
Currently, the tower is 35 meters high and thanks to the observation platform located on the top is a place from which you have a magnificent view of the city skyline. Visiting the tower is possible only in pairs (security considerations), that is why people visiting alone should ask at the tourist information office to join a group of tourists. Admission to the tower costs 4 Euro.
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Church of St. Martin |
This interesting building on the Stapelstraat, 150 meters from the main square, is a neo-Romanesque reconstruction from 1887 year, designed by architect Edmund Serrure. The church has preserved the Renaissance tower and some of the late Gothic elements. The interior is quite austere and dark, but interesting. In the presbytery there is a wooden vault filled with pictures of saints and coats of arms. Next to the church, there is a monument to those who died in the First World War.
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Address:
Stapelstraat, 3800 Sint-Truiden Admission: free |
Opening Hours:
Monday-Sunday 8.00-18.00 |
Franciscan Church
Minderbroederskerk, Sint-Truiden
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Fifty meters from the main square there is a baroque Franciscan church with two cloisters built in the 17th century adjacent to it. Inside the complex are the only remains of the medieval city walls. We will also find a small De Mindere museum here. The church is open from Monday to Sunday from 10.00 -18.00, admission free. |
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Available at the tourist information office Trudopas allows you to visit: the tower of the Abbey of St. Trudo, the crypt, the Capuchin chapel, the Church of Guvelingen and the astronomical clock in Beguinage. Cost 4 Euro.
http://www.toerisme-sint-truiden.be
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Kamiel Festraets created the Astronomical Clock in 1937. The show lasts approximately 40 minutes.
The clock can be seen in Beguinage: Monday to Friday 10.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30 From Saturday to Sunday 13.30-16.30 |