The Middle Ages in the Haute Senne region (from Horrues naar Steenkerque)

The Open Churches network invites you to discover the medieval period by visiting various churches in the Haute Senne region. Proudly erected for centuries, they are the witnesses of local history. Together with castles and farms, these places of worship tell the story of an era and its customs.

Throughout these tours, you will follow a small character, "nameless and ageless". He will take you to the lands of Hainaut County. For you, he will meet historical and legendary characters from the region.

The tour starts in the countryside, on the square of a small village high up. You will know more about Saint Martin and Saint Hubert and their fetish animals. Then he will take you in the footsteps of Baudouin IV the builder, to Braine-le-Comte. Finally, it will be necessary to follow the valley of the Brainette to Steenkerque, the village of the mills and Guillaume de Gavres, lord and watchman of the church.

This route is more fully described in a discovery brochure "The Middle Ages in the Haute Senne region", the content of which can be downloaded here.Leaflet

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1. Church Saint-Martin in Horrues

   One of the largest villages in the country, established on a promontory overlooking the Senne, Horrues has always maintained a very strong link with Soignies and its collegiate church. The church overlooks the whole village (...)

2. Church Saint-Géry à Braine-le-Comte

   The small town of Braine-le-Comte takes its name in part from the Brainette, a river that originates in the nearby Bois de la Houssière and flows into the Senne a few kilometres further on, at Steenkerque. This entity was then called Braine-la-Wilote and was part of the possessions of the canons of Sainte-Waudru (...)

3. Church Saint-Martin - Steenkerque

   It is a small village lost on a small rocky promontory overlooking the Senne. Life has always been peaceful there, like a long quiet river. Although... (...)