Saint Martin
Square Albert 1er
6700 Arlon
Church | 1907-1914 | Neogothic | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 8.30 - 18.00
Tue 8.30 - 18.00
Wed 8.30 - 18.00
Thu 8.30 - 18.00
Fri 8.30 - 18.00
Sat 8.30 - 18.00
Sun 8.30 - 18.00
Religious offices
Description
This church, classified as an exceptional part of the cultural heritage of Wallonia, is impressive due to its size and its dimensions. It dominates the landscape of Arlon, especially thanks to its 97 m tall tower. It could be a cathedral rising up from the Middle Ages. And yet it is a collegial church, and the building is of recent construction (1907-1914). It is one of the most remarkable Neo-Gothic buildings in the country. Its construction dates from the beginning of the 20th century, responding to the wish of Leopold II, to grant to Arlon, the new administrative centre of the province of Luxembourg, a monumental religious edifice of such a nature as to impress foreigners entering into the country.
The building is a true Medieval reconstruction as successful as the original structures. Here as in the Gothic cathedrals one finds the wide central nave, monumental portals, grimacing birds and monsters crouched on the cornices.
In the interior, one will notice the stained glass windows, and in particular the great rose window at the head of the choir, the cathedra for preaching in the Neo-Romanesque style, the stalls and the great organs.
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Remarkable elements
Large eastern stained-glass window
This splendid stained glass window was made from 2013 to 2018 by master glassmaker Etienne Tribolet, from the province of Luxembourg. It evokes Easter morning, the victory of life over death, of light over darkness. Contrary to tradition, the church of Saint-Martin is part of a west-east axis, which allows this luminous work to shine at dawn, according to its symbolism.
Altar
This very beautiful, contemporary altar of bluestone and glass is the work of two people from Namur, Jean Bruyère and Jacques Martin. It represents the rolling stone of Easter morning and the empty tomb, with in the background a memory of the three crosses of the Calvary. An original design with a direct link to the enchanting large southern stained-glass window.
Large western stained-glass window
This impressive rosette, 8 metres in diameter, is a true hymn to the glory of God. The stained glass windows of master glassmaker Gustave Ladon represent the angels, archangels and seraphim around the name of God in Hebrew. The constellations of the Zodiac complete the setting. Under the rosette, 12 biblical scenes announce the mystery of the Eucharist in the Old and New Testaments.
Saint Adrian and Saint Natalie of Nicomedia
As the "Golden Legend" tells us, Saint Adrian and his wife Nathalie are two 4th century Roman Christians, martyred under the reign of the Emperor Diocletian. Their relics arrived in Belgium in the 12th century and are at the origin of an important local devotion. These two wooden statues are beautiful testimonies of 17th century popular craftsmanship.
Baroque pulpit
Remaining from the old church of Saint Martin of Arlon, destroyed in the 1930s: this pulpit from the 18th century is of great quality. You can see the four evangelists with their symbol, the eagle for John, the angel for Matthew, the cow for Luke and the lion for Mark. In 1921, Cardinal Mercier gave his famous eulogy to the historian Godefroid Kurth, a famous inhabitant of Arlon.
Large altar of St. Martin
This imposing high relief of painted wood adorned the main altar of the old church (late 17th century). It represents the apotheosis of Bishop Martin de Tours, patron saint of the building. This evangelizing saint has been particularly venerated in Europe (especially in France and Wallonia) since Merovingian times. This typically Baroque work is by the sculptor Toussaint Mercenier.
