Meet Our Lady’s Church, one of the most beautiful churches in Belgium. The construction of this early Gothic building started in the 12th century. Perhaps a fun fact: this church is also where Flemish poet Guido Gezelle became a parochial leader in the late 1800s.
In 1302, in gratitude for their victory over the Groeninge field, the Flemish hung 500 guilder traces in honor of the fallen French knights in the choir section of the church. But unfortunately, these were destroyed by British mercenaries after the battle of Westrozebeke in 1382, but today you can admire replicas of the lost guilder traces.
The “Raising of the Cross” by famous Anthony Van Dyck is one of the many reasons why you should visit this magnificent church. He was the most influential portrait painter to have worked in Britain because he veered away from the traditional Rubens’ style while Rubens was his master.
In the Counts Chapel, dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria, you will see the beautiful murals of the Counts of Flanders. This chapel also possesses a series of small sculptures, embedded in various arched bays. These small sculptures offer an anthology of the best known themes from religious iconography and also beautiful renderings of more secular scenes such as medieval knightly tournaments. A must for those who are interested in art in my opinion.
The church is open from Monday to Friday, from 8 am – 18 pm. On Saturdays from 9 am – 18 pm and on Sundays from 11 am – 18 pm.
Watch this video and find out how beer became the superhero of this churches story, how Guido Gezelle ended up in Courtrai and why Catherine of Alexandria was murdered. Enjoy!