andenne Heritage and history

The Collegiate church and the Romanesque churches

In 1762, the seven churches were ■■ The church of in a very poor state. The Chapter Saint Peter obtained permission from the Em- (Andenelle) press Maria-Theresa of Austria to The church with its tower dates replace them with a single sanctu- from the 12th century. Built of red- ary. It entrusted L-B Dewez, the dish sandstone, this remarkable official architect of the governor monument of Mosan architecture Charles de Lorraine, with drawing is one of the oldest in the region. It up the plans for a new neoclassi- underwent alterations in the 17th cal collegiate church. The objects century (the inside pillars were discovered in the latter church in- changed), in 1853 (the entrance cluded the grave of a 12th century portal, which used to be found in saint, a lectern taking the form of the north, was moved to the west), ■■ The Collegiate a griffin (dinanderie brass from church (Andenne) 1510), the stalls from 17th century, the confessionals and pulpit from Saint Begga, great-great-grand- the C18th, paintings from 17th mother of Charlemagne, when she century and 18th century, includ- became a widow, founded a Merov- ing the Massacre of the Innocents ingian abbey in Andenne, circa (1615) by Finsonius of Bruges. In 692. That abbey comprised seven the Collection and Museum located churches, in addition to two sepa- in the 12 adjoining rooms, objects rate quarters. In the 11th century, are exhibited such as textiles, the monastery was changed into sculptures, manuscripts, prints, in 1860 (building of the transept), a secular chapter. Secular power funerary monuments from the 16th in 1875 (the portal was moved to required recruitment among the century to the 20th century, includ- the north as a result of the building nobility. ing the Renaissance reliquary of of the Andenne-Haillot road) and in That is why the early monastery be- Saint Begga together with religious 1923 (building of the side aisles). It came a predominantly female Noble chinaware from Andenne. is a mistake to believe that it was Chapter. built in a hollow. In times past, it was level with the road and the and rebuilt. It forms a harmonious square. People entered on a level, arrangement in the Romanesque through a big door at the foot of style. At the outset, the squat tow- the tower, next to the stream. But er played a defensive role. This can when the Haillot bottom road was still be guessed by observing the built, the portion of the road was openings provided in its thick walls raised and people had to go down a from where arrows or other projec- few steps to enter the church. tiles could be fired at any attackers.

■■ The church of Saint Martin (Seilles) When you reach the hamlet of Reppe, you will find the Roman- esque church of Saint Martin. It ■■ The church of stands opposite Andenelle, and Saint Stephen although people call it a “chapel” (Seilles) it is actually one of the smallest churches in Belgium. Dedicated In Seilles, you will discover the to Saint Martin, it was apparently Church of Saint Stephen (Saint built by the inhabitants circa 1050 Etienne). A classical Romanesque out of coal-grit. The church com- building, made of limestone, sand- plete with its 3 naves, its chancel stone and shale, it dates from the and its sacristy, unfortunately lost 11th century. Before being a church, ■■ You can also its northern aisle in the middle of its massive tower was used for de-

the 19th century. fensive purposes and as a refuge discover: for the villagers in time of war. The The church of Saint Remi of Thon- ourisme de la Ville d’Andenne. ourisme de la Ville loopholes and the thickness of the Samson, the church of Notre-Dame ■■ The church of walls still provide evidence of that. of Namêche, the church of Saint Saint Maurice Rémy of Landenne, the church of (Sclayn) Notre Dame Auxilatrice of Petit- ■■ The church of Waret, the church of Saint Hubert The church of Saint Maurice re- Saint Firmin of Coutisse, the church of Notre placed the former collegiate church (Bonneville) Dame of Groynne, the church of a chapter founded in the 11th of Saint Martin of Maizeret, the century by the Emperor Henry IV. Saint Firmin is called upon by suf- church of Saint Pierre of Ville-en- It was originally dedicated to Our ferers of rheumatism and pins and Warêt, ... Lady and to Saint Felix. This build- needles. Surrounded by its old ing is in the Romanesque style graveyard, the church partly (the Other free brochures on the history (although its façade is in the Ionic tower and the part before the nave) and heritage, museums and discov- style) and it was restored on many dates from the 11th century. It eries, and nature walks are availa- occasions. was extended eastwards in 1866 ble at the Tourism Office of the Town by two bays in the same style and of Andenne. a three-plane chancel from the

Editeur responsable : Sandrine Cruspin - 5300 Andenne / 2009 • Crédits photos Office du T 18th century, probably taken down

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