Tongeren (Tongres)
Urocze, niewielkie miasto w północno-wschodniej Belgii, położone nad rzeką Geer, będące najstarszym miastem w Belgii. Na przestrzeni ponad 2000 lat istnienia Tongeren było świadkiem wielu wojen. Na przemian niszczone i odbudowywane. Atakowane przez Hunów, Franków, Normanów i plemiona germańskie.
Despite the enormity of destruction in the city, many buildings remained that could testify to the magnificence of Tongeren in the Middle Ages. We will also see here a wall built in the second century AD surrounding the city. The Pearl of the Crown are a beautiful Beguinage and a magnificent Gothic basilica, both on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Bazylika Najświętszej Marii Panny
Uznawana za najznakomitszy przykład gotyckiej architektury w Belgii. Była pierwszą gotycką bazyliką zbudowaną z kamienia po tej stronie Alp. Jej konstrukcja powstała na istniejącej tutaj już w IV wieku budowli romańskiej, której pozostałości zachowały się po dzień dzisiejszy w niższych kondygnacjach bazyliki. W XII wieku znajdowała się tutaj bardziej rozbudowana i typowo romańska budowla, po której zniszczeniu rozpoczęły się prace nad budową współcześnie istniejącej bazyliki. Budowę rozpoczęto w 1240 roku i trwała ona przeszło 300 lat do roku 1544. Najwyższym punktem bazyliki jest jej gotycka wieża, która góruje nad miastem i okolicą.
The most precious treasure of the basilica is the miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus, made of nut wood, from about 1479 year. It is a real Tongeren icon, as evidenced by the famous in Europe Septynalia, that is, a ceremony held every seven years in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Tongeren. They attract 500 thousands of people each time. Mary's retinue that leads Mary through the streets of the city and crowns her at the end, counts 3000 people. The festivities have been held since 1890 year, when the statue was crowned. In the basilica, the statue standing under the canopy is located in the northern transept. In the presbytery, you can admire the intricately decorated altar setting depicting scenes from the life of Mary. The basilica is open every day in 9-17- admission free.
The Treasury in the Basilica of the Holy Virgin (Schatkamer) has one of the largest collections of sacred art in Belgium. There are reliquaries and monstrances gathered here from even the tenth century. The most valuable exhibit is the Merovingian buckle, dating from the 11th century, presenting the piety of the Head of Christ. The entire collection contains treasures of sacred art from the 10th to the 19th century.
The Treasury in the Basilica of the Holy Virgin (Schatkamer) has one of the largest collections of sacred art in Belgium. There are reliquaries and monstrances gathered here from even the tenth century. The most valuable exhibit is the Merovingian buckle, dating from the 11th century, presenting the piety of the Head of Christ. The entire collection contains treasures of sacred art from the 10th to the 19th century.
Address:
Museumkwartier 2 (Vrijthof)
www.teseum.be |
Opening hours of the Treasury
tuesday-sunday:
10.00-17.00 |
Ticket price
Adults: 6.00 €
|
Romanesque monasterymański klasztor ─ on the east side of the basilica there is a Romanesque monastery from the 12th century. It was extended and rebuilt to its present form at the beginning of the 13th century, in order to allow the extension of the gothic presbytery of the Basilica. Tombstones as well as corner chapels come from a later period. Between the monastery and the entrance to the Basilica, there is a Romanesque figure of Christ from the 12th century.
Tongeren, Belgium's oldest city
Ambiorix was the king of the brave tribe of the eburons, which gave the greatest defeat of the legions of Julius Caesar, led by Cotta in 54-53 BC, during the conquest of Gaul. Although after these events the whole tribe was murdered, the legend of him and his heroic commander survived through the ages. In the 1866 year, a statue of Ambiorix created by sculptor Jules Bertin stood on the main market square in Tongeren, opposite the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today, it is one of the city's main attractions.
Freedom column (Perron) ─ in the Bishopric of Liège the Column of Freedom is a symbol of prince's power and freedom Good Cities. At the beginning, the column was placed in the middle of the main square in Tongeren. In 1866 year this symbol of freedom had to make place for the Ambiorix monument. In 1957 the column was placed next to the Gallo-Romanesque Museum, and in 1985 year it was moved to its current location.
Velinx tower it was part of a medieval wall built in the 13th century. It was built of flint and marl (sedimentary rock), materials used by the Romans in the Middle Ages for construction. The tower was connected to a small bridge on the Jeker River. During the First World War this bridge was blown up.
Medieval city walls ─ as a result of the destruction of the city in 1213 a year by the army of Prince Brabant Hendrik I in 1241 the construction of the medieval defensive walls that surrounded the city center began. Several parts of these defensive walls from the 13th century still exist, marking the path around medieval Tongeren. The best-preserved parts are located along Leopoldwal and Elfde-Novemberwal. It is also Fabric Tower, being part of the walls surrounding Beginaż and Velinx tower. In the fifteenth century, the city walls were partially demolished, and in the seventeenth century, French soldiers destroyed the city gates. The defensive walls were restored in the 18th century, but eventually they had to give way to modernization in the 19th century.
Defensive walls from Roman times ─ on the outskirts of the old town, especially from north to west, there are still impressive remains of a long wall on the 6 meters of the second century. This wall had previously been about 1 meter high and was reinforced at regular intervals with round watch towers. Access to the walls was protected by several deep defense moats. The access roads to the city were protected by monumental gates. Since the Middle Ages, the Roman defensive walls have been systematically demolished and the material used for their construction was later used to build houses and roads. That is why only the core of the formerly impressive defensive walls still exists today. Along these walls, from the Bilzen road to the Liège road, a pedestrian street was built.
Town hall ─ Before the great fire of 1677 year, the old town hall was located in the corner of the main square and St-Truiderstraat. At the beginning of the 18th century, a decision was made to build a new town hall that exists today. He stood on the site of the destroyed cloth hall. Construction according to the plans of the architect from Liege Pascal Barbier lasted from 1737 to 1759 year. The classicist style of the building is a good example of the style that was in force in the 18th century in these areas. Inside, furniture from Liege dominates and paintings in the style of Louis XV. The town hall is closed to the public.
War Memorial in Tongeren ──j it is a war memorial commemorating all the victims and destruction that Tongeren suffered during the World War. Unveiling of the monument, which took place on 28 April 1926 year, honored King Albert I with his visit. The monument was made of blue-gray sandstone. It has four gargoyles (decorative gutter ending or fountain) in the shape of a lion's head. Originally, the part of the monument being a fountain was lined with mosaics.
Gallo-Romanesque Museum is located at Kielenstraat street 15. It is a magnificent museum, honored in 2011 year with the title of the best museum in Europe. Attractive displays, great facilities and multimedia presentations bring the stories of people who lived in these areas centuries ago. The worlds of Neanderthals, Gauls and Romans come alive again. The Gallo-Roman Museum regularly organizes exciting events, exclusive exhibitions and fascinating workshops.
Address:
Kielenstraat 15, 3700 Tongeren |
Opening hours:
tuesday-friday: 9.00-17.00 saturday, sunday: 10.00-18.00 |
Ticket price:
7 Euro |
The Moerenpoort it is one of the six original gates protecting the entrance to the city. As the only one left to this day. It was built in 1379 year. Today, the tower serves as a museum. We will find exhibits on the history of the city. Museum treasures are located on three floors. From the top of the tower you can admire the panorama of the city center and the beautiful medieval Beguinage.
Beguinage ─ crossing the Moerenpoort gate, we are suddenly surrounded by small houses, medieval churches, narrow streets covered with cobbles. In a place where time has stopped. It's a beguinage. One of the oldest in Flanders. It was built in the middle of the 13th century, next to the Jeker River. Creating a miniature city in the city. This charming nook from the 1998 year is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Church of St. Catherine better known as the church of the Beguinage or the church of the brothers. It is one of the oldest temple in the city. This early Gothic church of the 1294 year has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries. The current baroque arch and the signature (a small church tower, in which the smallest of bells is usually placed, also called a signature) were introduced into the church in the 18th century.
After the French Revolution, the church came into the possession of the Church Commission in Tongeren, which handed over the church, in 1899 year, to the Brothers of Franciscans (for 99 years). Hence the popular name of the Church of Brothers. Inside the church of St. Catherine there is a rich collection of works of art, especially wooden sculptures and paintings deserving attention. Among the most important objects are: a pulpit made by Robrecht Verburgh in 1711 year, in the style of Louis XIV, painting in the main altar painted by Caspar de Crayer in the seventeenth century and the figure of Christ suffering, funded by Beguine Anna de Floz.
Museum of beguines is located in the Beguinage, in the house of 1660 year. Visitors will find out who the beguines were, how they lived, How they earned the maintenance. During the visit, you can visit the exhibition treasures of beguines, watch a movie Beguines in the Netherlands, and visit the beguines beer cellar, shop and herb garden.
Address:
Onder de Linde 12 3700 Tongeren |
Opening hours:
tue-sun 14.00.-17.00 |
Ticket price:
4 Euro |