Our Lady und Saint Domitian
Parvis Théoduin de Bavière
4500 Huy
Collegiate Church | XIV-XIX | Romanesque, Gothic | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 May - 31 October
Mon -
Tue 10.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 18.00
Wed 10.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 18.00
Thu 10.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 18.00
Fri 10.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 18.00
Sat 10.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 18.00
Sun 10.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 18.00
01 November - 30 April
Mon -
Tue 10.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 16.00
Wed 10.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 16.00
Thu 10.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 16.00
Fri 10.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 16.00
Sat 10.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 16.00
Sun 10.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 16.00
Treasury :
01/04 - 30/06 & 01/09 - 15/09
Saturday and Sunday : 2 pm - 4.45 pm
01/07 - 31/08
every day except Monday : 2 pm - 4.45 pm
or by arrangement : +32 496 02 70 65
Adults € 3 - children under 12 : free
Groups (minimum 12 persons) : € 2 per person
Religious offices
01/05 - 31/10
Monday till Friday : 5.15 pm Vespers - 5.30 pm Mass
01/01 - 31/12
Sunday 11.30 am
Description
The collegiate church of our Lady is the main church of the town. It stands out thanks to its three towers well placed on the confluence of the Meuse and the Hoyoux.
It is a Gothic building, constructed between 1311 and 1536, harmoniously blending 14th century radiance with 15th century flamboyant. It is built on the remains of an old Romanesque church of which the crypt still exists.
Noteworthy inside is “Li Rondia“ a large rose window that has been restored recently.
The church’s treasure is four large reliquaries from the 12th and 13th centuries of which one of Saint Domitian is attributed to Godefroid of Huy.
Photos
Media
Remarkable elements
Choir glass roof
The large glass roof of the choir consists of three parts with an exceptional height of twenty metres. The highest one-piece window in Europe.
Shrines and the Fabri Medallion
Among the major Mosan shrines that survive, four are kept in the treasury of Notre-Dame de Huy: those of Notre-Dame, St. Mark, St. Domitian and St. Mengold, all masterpieces of Mosan art. The shrine of St. Domitian, made by the goldsmith Godefroid around 1172–1189, is a chest with a gabled roof, silver figures and gilded copper décor. It was shortened in the 18th century. The treasure’s fame is crowned by the 1160 “Fabri Medallion,” a superb Mosan enamel.
Portal of the Virgin Mary, also known as the Bethlehem
The Bethlehem Gate is adjacent to the apse of the collegiate church. This Lorraine limestone work is a very fine example of 14th century Mosan Gothic sculpture. The central warhead is divided into three parts: left part: the Nativity and the Annunciation to the shepherds, central part: the Massacre of the Innocents, right part: the Adoration of the Magi. Two small lateral warheads from the late 19th century have been added. A complete restoration of this door was completed in November 2014.
Crypt
A Romanesque crypt was discovered under the collegiate church by the priest and dean Demaret in June 1906. It represents the only remains of the Romanesque church consecrated in 1066 by Prince Bishop Theoduin of Bavaria. It currently houses the Treasury.
Large rose window of the western tower
Li Rondia is the largest surviving Gothic rose window in Belgium. Dated back to 1508, its diameter is impressive: 6 m inside and 9 m outside. Since 1974, it has been decorated with contemporary stained glass windows by Raymond Julin from Liège (other works by this master glassmaker can be seen in the windows of the transept's crosspieces). A major restoration campaign, carried out from 1998 to 2007, restored the tower, rose and modern stained glass to its former glory.
The decoration of the vaults
The vault decoration began with the choir in 1523. The painter added “RODE” between crossed swords, recalling the heroic defence of Rhodes against the Turks. Another date, 1536, on the vault near the tower marks the completion of the collegiate church. In the transept near the choir, the year 1810 records Havet’s restoration after the fire that destroyed the spire and roofs.
