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 reaches back to Roman times. In the mid fourth century, a Roman basilica in Atuatuca Tungrorum served as a place of worship, and today’s service altar still stands above that of Bishop Saint Servatius. At the same site, remains of Merovingian, Carolingian, Ottonian and Romanesque churches have been uncovered. After the Romanesque church was destroyed, a new Gothic basilica was begun in 1240, built as a three aisled cruciform church with an extended choir for its many canons. The 12th century Romanesque cloister of the chapter was preserved.
On 20 February 1931, Pope Pius XI elevated the church to the rank of Basilica, dedicated to Our Lady, Cause of Our Joy. The miraculous statue (1479), crowned in 1890 at the Pope’s request, is honoured during the seven yearly Coronation Festival, the largest procession in the country with over 3,000 participants.
The main altar holds an Antwerp retable with 160 figures illustrating the life of Our Lady (c. 1500). Stained glass windows date from 1548. Oak choir stalls, confessionals and the pulpit are from the 17th–18th century. The brass eagle lectern and Easter candelabra by John Joses of Dinant (1372) are notable works. Among the many polychromed statues are a 10th century Christ on the Cross, a Pietà (c. 1380) and a Christ on the Cold Stone (1530). Murals depict St Peter (early 15th century) and St Egidius (c. 1525). The Le Picard organ (1750) and the choir organ with a 16th–17th century core reflect the Basilica’s rich musical heritage.
The site ranks among the country’s most important ecclesiastical ensembles, including the Teseum treasury, the Romanesque cloister, a 2,500 m² archaeological site with Roman villas and 1,700 years of church remains, and the UNESCO listed belfry tower. Both the Basilica and the Teseum hold two green Michelin stars.
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Remarkable elements
Statue Causa Nostrae Laetitiae
Tongeren, known as “In Ecclesia Tungrensi prima cis Alpes B.M.V. consecrata,” is the oldest place above the Alps dedicated to Mary. In 1479, the Archbrotherhood of Our Lady commissioned a new walnut statue, 1.60 m tall, carved by an unknown master. Many miracles are linked to it. Every seven years, the statue “Causa Nostrae Laetitiae” is carried through the city during the coronation celebrations.
Crucifix Jesus Christ
This crucifix in the south entrance of the Teseum, dating to around 975, is a rare Ottonian work. It shows a calm, lifeless Christ, stylized yet powerfully expressive, radiating peace. Nearby in the treasury is a Christ head from the same era, depicted alive and majestic. Together they reveal Christ’s dual nature as both God and man.
Dinanderie, Eagle-lettner and Easter candlestick
On each side of the service altar stand historic objects: to the right, beside the conopeum, a lectern supported by an eagle; to the left, near the tintinnabulum, a nearly 3 meter Easter candlestick. Both date from 1372 and are signed by Jean Josès. The Meuse valley, famed since Roman times for yellow brass, made Dinant a major center. The two candlesticks by the lectern are from the late sixteenth century.
Historical stained-glass windows - Marian retable
The stained glass windows behind the main altar, linked to the Marian retable from Antwerp (ca. 1500), date from the mid sixteenth century and form a triptych. The central panel shows the Calvary with Christ on the cross, Mary, and the apostle John. The left windows depict Mary with Saints Maternus and Servatius and other saints; the right ones show the four Church Fathers and the Virgin and Child with Saint Anne.
Bishops Altar
The bishops’ altar, created during late 19th century neo Gothic renovations, shows ten bishops of Tongeren (275–384). In the crypt lie remains of Saint Servatius’s 4th century church. The large lower statue is St. Maternus, founder of the Tongeren diocese and later bishop of Trier and Cologne, symbolized by three churches. Above him, St. Servatius holds the key said to come from Saint Peter.
Le Picard Organ
The monumental Le Picard organ at the back of the basilica dates from 1750, reflecting its rich musical heritage. Study of local manuscripts advanced the origins of Flemish polyphony by 50 years, as shown in the treasury. Organists worldwide play the instrument. A second organ, added in 2014 in the transept, includes a 16th century core and a register dated 17 August 1661. Each spring and summer, an “organ4U” recital takes place every Saturday at 4 a.m.
