.gif)
Church of Our Lady (Kortrijk)
Encyclopedia
The Church of Our Lady in Kortrijk
was built in 1199 established by count Baldwin I of Constantinople
. The church is situated in the historic city centre of Kortrijk.
This church has a long construction history that began in the 13th century. The church played a mayor role in the history of the County of Flanders
. The church was situated within the domain of the Counts of Flanders which was, except the part along the River Lys, fully walled. The church was part of the first castle of Kortrijk.
After the Battle of the Golden Spurs
in 1302, which took place nearby on the Groeningekouter
, the Flemish people hung 500 Golden Spurs of killed French knights on the ceiling of the church. Mercenaries took them away, in 1382 after the Battle of Roosebeke
. They were replaced by replicas which can still be seen in the church.
In 1370, Count Louis II of Flanders
had the Count’s chapel built to be a mausoleum
for he himself and to honour the holy Catharina. The Chapel contains paintings of all the rulers of Flanders
.
During the 15th century, the church was renovated. The castle wasn't restored and the domain was parcelled out (O.L.V.-straat, Konventstraat, Guido Gezellestraat, Kapittelstraat and Pieter de Cockelaerestraat). Only the church, the Broeltowers
and the Artillery tower are the remains of the medieval castle.
In 1797, French troops invaded the church and together with 12 convents, chapels and churches, the church was sold. Thanks to the concordate between Napoleon Bonaparte and Pope Pius VII
, the church became the parish church of the parish of Our Lady.
Guido Gezelle
was priest of this parish between 1872 and 1889.
Kortrijk
Kortrijk ; , ; ) is a Belgian city and municipality located in the Flemish province West Flanders...
was built in 1199 established by count Baldwin I of Constantinople
Baldwin I of Constantinople
Baldwin I , the first emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople, as Baldwin IX Count of Flanders and as Baldwin VI Count of Hainaut, was one of the most prominent leaders of the Fourth Crusade, which resulted in the capture of Constantinople, the conquest of the greater part of the Byzantine...
. The church is situated in the historic city centre of Kortrijk.
History
County of Flanders
The County of Flanders was one of the territories constituting the Low Countries. The county existed from 862 to 1795. It was one of the original secular fiefs of France and for centuries was one of the most affluent regions in Europe....
. The church was situated within the domain of the Counts of Flanders which was, except the part along the River Lys, fully walled. The church was part of the first castle of Kortrijk.
After the Battle of the Golden Spurs
Battle of the Golden Spurs
The Battle of the Golden Spurs, known also as the Battle of Courtrai was fought on July 11, 1302, near Kortrijk in Flanders...
in 1302, which took place nearby on the Groeningekouter
Groeninge Monument
The Groeninge Monument is a Monument in the Belgian city of Kortrijk. The gilded statue was inaugurated to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the Battle of the Golden Spurs. The statue is situated in the Groeningepark where during the Middle Ages the Groeninge battle field was situated...
, the Flemish people hung 500 Golden Spurs of killed French knights on the ceiling of the church. Mercenaries took them away, in 1382 after the Battle of Roosebeke
Battle of Roosebeke
The Battle of Roosebeke took place on November 27, 1382 on the Goudberg between a Flemish army under Philip van Artevelde and a French army under Louis II of Flanders who had called upon the help of the French king Charles VI after he had suffered a defeat during the Battle of Beverhoutsveld...
. They were replaced by replicas which can still be seen in the church.
In 1370, Count Louis II of Flanders
Louis II of Flanders
Louis II of Flanders , also Louis III of Artois and Louis I of Palatine Burgundy, known as Louis of Male, was the son of Louis I of Flanders and Margaret I of Burgundy, and Count of Flanders.On his father's death at the Battle of Crécy in 1346, he inherited the counties of Flanders, Nevers, and...
had the Count’s chapel built to be a mausoleum
Mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or persons. A monument without the interment is a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type of tomb or the tomb may be considered to be within the...
for he himself and to honour the holy Catharina. The Chapel contains paintings of all the rulers of Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
.
During the 15th century, the church was renovated. The castle wasn't restored and the domain was parcelled out (O.L.V.-straat, Konventstraat, Guido Gezellestraat, Kapittelstraat and Pieter de Cockelaerestraat). Only the church, the Broeltowers
Broeltorens
The Broel Towers are a classified monument and a landmark in the Belgian city of Kortrijk. The towers are known as one of the most important symbols of the city.- History :...
and the Artillery tower are the remains of the medieval castle.
Pope Pius VII
Pope Pius VII , born Barnaba Niccolò Maria Luigi Chiaramonti, was a monk, theologian and bishop, who reigned as Pope from 14 March 1800 to 20 August 1823.-Early life:...
, the church became the parish church of the parish of Our Lady.
Guido Gezelle
Guido Gezelle
Guido Pieter Theodorus Josephus Gezelle was an influential Flemish language writer and poet and a Roman Catholic priest from Belgium.- Life :...
was priest of this parish between 1872 and 1889.
Treasures
- The interior of the church is in rich, Baroque style from the 17th century.
- The church also contains other important treasures such as Anton Van Dijck’s Raising of the Cross.