Halle - Basilica of Our Lady

(Local Name: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwbasiliek / Sint-Martinuskerk) Northwest of the market is the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Basiliek (Basilica of Our Lady), also known as Sint-Martinuskerk or Sint-Martinusbasiliek. It is a notable building in Brabant Gothic, its elegant architecture showing French influence. Work began on the church in 1341; it was consecrated in 1410. The baptistery with its sturdy tower (around 1440) was the first onion-shaped roof in the Netherlands. The tower with its four Gothic spires was also started in the mid-15th C.; the Baroque lantern was not added until 1776. The tower houses a carillon with 54 bells.

The large southern lateral aisle, next to the baptistery, is decorated with a row of simple wall formations, projecting columns and triangular gables in typical Brabant style and embellished with rich sculpture. There is a beautiful work of Mary with child, surrounded by angel musicians (14th C.) in the tympanum of the south portal; in the small south portal, which creates the impression of a transept, is the coronation of Mary. The north side portal has a Brabant picture of Madonna.