Nivelles - Collégiale Sainte-Gertrude

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Collegiale Sainte-Gertrude Description

The former Collégiale Sainte-Gertrude, a collegiate church dedicated in 1046 in the presence of the German emperor Heinrich III and which dominates the Grand-Place of Nivelles, is one of the most sumptuous examples of Romanesque architecture in Belgium. The origin of the church, built in Ottoman Romanesque style, was the monastic Church of Saint-Pierre dating from about 650 and rebuilt in four phases until the 10th C. The last church was burnt down at the beginning of the 11th C., and it was resolved to erect a new one. but this was badly damaged in the bombing attacks of 1940. The church treasury and two-thirds of the sumptuous shrine of St Gertrude were lost for ever. Rebuilding of the church was only decided upon in 1984. Today the

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Hobbies & Activities category: Architecture - Romanesque; Significant work of art; Christian sites

Collegiale Sainte-Gertrude Highlights

Collegiale Sainte-Gertrude Cloister

The beautiful cloister of the church is a transitional work of the beginning of the 13th C.; only the north gallery in its original condition dates from this time. In the passages and in the

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Collegiale Sainte-Gertrude Crypt

The three-aisled crypt, ca. 1100, is situated below the east choir. With an area of 230sq.m/2,476sq.ft it is the largest in Belgium. From it the visitor can reach the excavations in which fragments

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Collegiale Sainte-Gertrude Interior

The interior of the church is impressive, mainly because of its size (102m/335ft long, 20m/66ft high) but as a result of losses during the war, the simplicity of its decoration does not immediately

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Collegiale Sainte-Gertrude Salle Imperiale

Above the choir at the west end of the church is the 19m/62ft-high Salle impériale, reached by a flight of 132 steps. It served the abbess for official receptions.

Address

St Gertrude's Collegiate Church
B-1400 Nivelles
Belgium

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