Our Lady of the Nativity
Stadhuisplein 8
3700 Tongeren
Basilica | 1254 | Gothic | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 8.30 - 17.00
Tue 8.30 - 17.00
Wed 8.30 - 17.00
Thu 8.30 - 17.00
Fri 8.30 - 17.00
Sat 8.30 - 17.00
Sun 8.30 - 17.00
Guided tour
Religious offices
Description
Tongeren's church history dates back to Roman times. In the mid-fourth century, a Roman Basilica in Atuatuca Tungrorum was used as a house of worship. The current service altar still stands above the altar of the then bishop Saint Servatius. Remains of a Merovingian, Carolingian, Ottoman and Romanesque church have been found at the same location.
After the Romanesque church was destroyed, a new Gothic church was built in 1240, a three-aisled cruciform basilica with an extended choir for the many canons and clergy. The Romanesque cloister of the chapter (12th century) was preserved.
On 20 February 1931, Pope Pius XI elevated the church to Basilica, with Our Lady, Cause of Our Joy, as its patron saint. The miraculous statue (1479) was crowned in 1890 at the Pope's request. Since then, the seven-yearly Coronation Festival has been the largest procession in our country with more than 3,000 participants.
The main altar bears an Antwerp retable with 160 figures recounting the life of Our Lady (c. 1500). The historic stained-glass windows around the altar date from 1548. Oak choir stalls, six confessionals and the pulpit date from the 17th-18th century. The imposing choir lectern in the shape of an eagle and the Easter candelabra, both by John Joses of Dinant, are in brass (1372). Among the numerous statues in polychromed wood, you can see, among others, Christ on the Cross, (Ottoons 10th century), a Pieta (cia. 1380), a Christ on the Cold Stone (1530). The mural on the fourth northern column depicts St Peter (early 15th century), this one in the last southern side chapel St Egidius (c. 1525). The former brass choir screen is now under the rood screen. The monumental Le Picard organ (1750) and the choir organ (with 16th-17th century core) bear witness to the rich musical life of the Basilica.
The Basilica site is among the most important ecclesiastical sites in our country. Besides the Basilica itself, it houses the Teseum as tourist access to the richest treasury in situ, the imposing Romanesque cloister, an underground archaeological site (2500m²) with remains of prestigious Roman villas and of 1700 years of church construction and the belfry church tower recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Both the Basilica and the Teseum each enjoy two green Michelin stars. Worth a diversion.
KIKIRPA : Photo-library online
Photos
Media
Remarkable elements
Statue Causa Nostrae Laetitiae
Tongeren is called "In Ecclesia Tungrensi prima cis Alpes B.M.V. consecrata Miraculis clara invocatur", the oldest place above the Alps dedicated to Mary. On 22 June 1479, the Archbrotherhood of Our Lady, founded at the beginning of the 14th century, commissioned the carving of a new image of Our Lady. The walnut statue, 1.60 metres in size, is the work of an unknown master. Various miracles are attributed to it. Every 7 years the statue "Causa Nostrae Laetitiae" (Cause of our Joy) is worn during the coronation celebrations around the city.
Crucifix Jesus Christ
This crucifix in the entrance portal on the south side (Teseum-Museumplein) dates from around 975. A well-preserved Ottoons work of art of this nature is a great rarity in Europe. It shows us the soft, stilled, dead Christ. The forms are stylized, but through this schematic art a monumental power of expression manifests itself. An atmosphere of glory and peace radiates from the figure of Christ. The elongated face has a wonderful expressiveness.
In the adjoining treasury, the Teseum, there is a Christhead from the same period here, depicted alive, majestically, mystically. Together they show the double nature: God and man.
Dinanderie, Eagle-lettner and Easter candlestick
On either side of the service altar there are, next to the license plates of the basilica, to the right next to the conopeum a lectern carried by an eagle and to the left next to the tintinnabulum an Easter candlestick almost 3 meters high. They date from 1372 and are signed by Jean Josès. The Meuse valley was already known in Roman times for the production of yellow brass, a copper-zinc alloy. Since the 12th century the brass products around the centre of Dinant have enjoyed a monopoly position and we find works of art all over Europe. The two candlesticks next to the lectern date from the end of the sixteenth century.
Historical stained-glass windows - Marian retable
The central stained-glass windows behind the main altar with the Marian retable (Antwerp, ca 1500) date from the middle of the sixteenth century. The monumental stained-glass window is conceived as a triptych. Central is a calvary depicted. Christ on the cross with next to him his mother Mary and the apostle Joannes. Both side windows on the left contain images of Mary, first together with Saint Maternus and Saint Servatius, the first and last bishop of Tongres and on the far left with some saints. On the right side are first the 4 fathers of the church and on the far right an image of Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, with some saints.
Bishops Altar
The bishops' altar is a product of the neo-Gothic renovations at the end of the 19th century. It contains 10 statues of the 10 bishops of Tongeren between 275 and 384. In the archaeological crypt under the basilica remains of the bishop's church of Saint Servatius (342-384) have been found. The larger statue in the middle below is St. Maternus. He founded the diocese of Tongeren around 275. He was also bishop of Trier and later of Cologne, hence the 3 churches he carries. Saint Servatius, in the middle above, has the key in his hands that Saint Peter would have given him.
Le Picard Organ
The monumental Le Picard organ in the back of the basilica dates from 1750. A strong musical culture lived in the basilica. After studying music manuscripts from our church, the genesis of the Flemish polyphony could be brought forward by 50 years. This is shown in the treasury. The organ is played by many organists from all over the world. In 2014 a new organ was added in the transept. This contains a core from the 16th century and a register with date 17 Augst 1661.
In the spring and summer months there is an "organ4U moment" every Saturday at 4 a.m. on which various organists perform a freely accessible organ recital.
