Church of Saint Odulf in Borgloon - Discover this open and welcoming religious building

Church | XIII-XX | Romanesque | Catholic Church

Disabled access Parking space Pilgrimage site

Map

Opening hours

01 January - 31 December
Mon 9.00 - 17.00
Tue 9.00 - 17.00
Wed 9.00 - 17.00
Thu 9.00 - 17.00
Fri 9.00 - 17.00
Sat 9.00 - 17.00
Sun 9.00 - 17.00

No visit during worship services.

Religious offices

Kerknet

Description

This church with basilical plan was constructed in the Romanesque style in the 12th century, on the foundations of an 11th century chapel. The current Gothic tower was added in 1406.

In 1903-1904, the church was extensively restored and expanded in the Neo-Romanesque style. The church has kept its sober Romanesque atmosphere, and has numerous treasures : a triumphal arch, several frescoes, a lectern, the cloister, ... The confessionals and other furnishing elements are in the Liege style. The choir stalls with 27 chairs decorated with masks are a piece of Baroque carpentry by a local craftsman (17th century).

Nearby, "castle hill", the remnant of the demolished castle of the Counts of Loon, is 118 metres high.

KIKIRPA : Photo-library online

See the treasures of this church online on erfgoedplus.be

www.sint-odulphuskerk.be

Photos

Media

Remarkable elements

Church tower

The 46 m high gothic tower dates from 1407 and was erected in marl sandstone resting on a bluestone base.

Secco’s of Peter and Paul

Secco’s are murals painted on dry plaster. There are two secco paintings on the chancel arch: the left one shows Saint Peter with the upside down cross. The right secco shows a picture of Saint Paul holding a sword. Both are patron saints of the church, together with Saint Odulphus.

14th century Triumph Cruxifix

The crucifix dates from the 14th century. The flat chest is an early attempt of anatomical portrayal. On the 4 ends are the symbols of the four evangelists: eagle (John), bull (Luke), angel (Matthew), lion (Marc).

Statue: “Bishop Lambertus, seated”

The gothic oak statue (15th century) of a seated bishop Lambertus is remarkable as a bishop was always depicted standing, and inspired the local saying: “the lazy man of Loon”.

Choir stalls

In Louis XII style by Loon artist Gisbertus Hechtermans, these choir stalls date from the 17th century. As a collegiate church, canons took care of the church services. These clergymen attended the services from the chancel.

Cloister

On the south side, this passage was probably the original eastern aisle of an earlier cloister. It connects the transept with the vestry which is the former chapter house of the monastery. In the wall are several tomb stones of canons and knights of the Loon region, as well as a remnant of the right side of a 5-sided consecration stone. There are also paintings of the 17th and 18th century and a romanesque sarcophagus.