Veurne |
vertical divider
Charming town situated in the province of West Flanders near the French border. His story began in the 877 year. It was then that it was first mentioned as the property of the Saint-Omer abbey. In the year 890 Veurne was included in the chain of fortifications to protect the Flanders coast from Viking raids. The town rights of Furne, because this is its French name, received in the twelfth century.
|
In the same century, a real boom of the city began. This was due to the return of Robert II of Flanders from the Crusade, who placed relics of the Holy Cross in the local church. This made Veurne an important place of worship, to which pilgrims from all over the world came for hundreds of years. In the second half of the 17th century, these areas were affected by wars led by Louis XIV. His court builder Vauban built heavy fortifications around the city. Some of them have remained here until today. During the First World War, the city was in the last part of Belgium, which was not occupied by the Germans. Here was King Albert I.
vertical divider
Town hallThis is one of the main attractions of the city. Located in the north-western part of the market, the building, which combines Gothic and Renaissance, was built in 1596-1612. The charm is added by a loggia built of blue stone and additionally decorated with gilding.
The interior of the building contains a museum that does not focus on battlefields or military activities, but on the lives of soldiers, residents, doctors, nurses in the so-called the Belgian sector, the last piece of Belgium that was not occupied during the First World War by German troops.
|
The museum tells this story using media and traditional exhibition methods.
vertical divider
The town hall connects, through an arch passage, with the former palace of justice. Today, there is a tourist information office.
The building was built in the style of raw classicism. Symmetrical pillars and long, rectangular windows prove this. There are sculptures in the niches above the entrance to the building. A wonderful belfry, also known as the Cecylia Tower, adjoins the building. It symbolizes the administrative connection of the city and region of Veurne-Ambacht, which took place in the 1586 year.
|
Late-Gothic decorations on a square base and an octagonal yellow brick superstructure are a clear contrast to the landscape and the early Baroque finial of the belfry. The building was completed in 1628 year. In year 1999 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Spanish Pavilion is a building built in the Gothic style. Formerly, the city hall was located here. In the 17th century, he served as a headquarters for Spanish officers.
The building is not open to the public. It opens only for the duration of the exhibitions organized here. |
The former city hall was built in the 1615 year on the old canal. Originally, the facade was four meters away. In the 1861 year, the building, which was then used as a theater, was renovated by the architect Croquison. In 1895 a year, the city architect Józef Vick rebuilt the facade.
During the Second World War, the building was seriously damaged. Every summer, temporary exhibitions are held here, where the works of artists from Furnes and the surrounding area are also presented. This building, however, is not open to tourists.
During the Second World War, the building was seriously damaged. Every summer, temporary exhibitions are held here, where the works of artists from Furnes and the surrounding area are also presented. This building, however, is not open to tourists.
vertical divider
Church of St. Walburga
The temple, hidden behind the old court building, in the shadow of a beautiful belfry, was built entirely of red brick. It was erected in the ninth century. In the X century, the relics of st. Walburga put here, since then, the church has adopted the name of its patron.
In the 11th century, Robert II of Flanders returning from the crusade gave the church, in thanks for saving the storm, the relics of the Holy Cross. Since then, the town has become a place of worship. Today, it is famous for the procession of penitators held here annually. The new transept and nave with two bays were built in the neo-Gothic style according to the architect's design from Ghent Van Asshe. The interior of the church holds valuable monuments of sacred art. The most interesting are magnificent stalls created by Otmaer van Ommen (1596), pulpit (1727) by Hendrik Pulinx Junior of Bruges or organs (1743) built by Lille Godfried Gobert and Joseph Bosquet.
Stained glass windows in the chapel of the Virgin Mary are an example of the extraordinary craftsmanship of the artists. However, the most important treasure of the church is undoubtedly the relic of the Holy Cross. |
vertical divider
Church of St. Nicholas
The first mention of the temple comes from the 1120 year. At that time Bishop Terwaan entrusted the protection of the temple to the young abbey of Saint. Nicholas. The canons of the abbey served in the temple until the French Revolution.
The early gothic tower was built at the end of the 13th century, its upper part was completed at the beginning of the 14th century. In the year 1494 the original transept was demolished and replaced with a three-aisle building.
The church is built mainly of bricks, but also sandstone, limestone and stone from Tournai.
In the nineteenth century, the tower was restored. The spire was recreated, which was then demolished again. In 1960 year, both the roof and the vault were in need of renovation again.
The 48-meter tower has 49 bells that make up the local carillon. The oldest bell 't Bomtje comes from 1379 a year, it was made by Willem van Harelbeke. Unfortunately, the tower is closed to visitors.
In the side aisle of the church there is a cross of the Sodality, made of ebony and boxwood. In the 1637 year, the canon Jacob Clou founded the Brotherhood of the Crucified Crucified, to whom he offered this cross in 1639 year. This fraternity has been organizing the penitential procession passing through the streets of Veurne since 1646 year.
|
On the last Sunday of July, thousands of Belgians and newcomers admire the hundreds of penitents participating in the procession who in period costumes they depict the history before and after the birth of Christ, up to the crucifixion and resurrection.
The interior of the church does not have too many works of art. It is worth paying attention to the richly decorated confessional, the sculpture of the Mother of God with the child on hands (XVII century) and the pulpit, and especially on the beautiful monument at his feet depicting the figure of Saint. Nicholas.
The interior of the church does not have too many works of art. It is worth paying attention to the richly decorated confessional, the sculpture of the Mother of God with the child on hands (XVII century) and the pulpit, and especially on the beautiful monument at his feet depicting the figure of Saint. Nicholas.
It is also worth taking a stroll through the city park (St. Walburga Park). The ruins of the castle from the 12th century are preserved here, there is also a bust of Paul Delvaux, a monument to George Grard and sculptures sculpted by Willem Vermandere. A small museum of bakery can be visited a 1,5 kilometer from the city. (Bakkerijmuseum). http://www.bakkerijmuseum.be/nl/home/
Zamek de Beauvoorde znajdujący się w uroczej wiosce Wulveringem, około 8,5 kilometrów od Veurne jest również miejscem popularnym wśród turystów.
http://www.kasteelbeauvoorde.be/fr |
The charming Veurne lying 6 kilometers from the border with France and little more on the coastal strip. Just about 12 thousand inhabitants live here. The town is sometimes called rural Flanders in the most beautiful edition.
|