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Table of contents
- Hainaut and Wallonian Brabant Travel Guide
- The City of Tournai
- Why you should visit Tournai
- Rough Guides | Travel Guide and Travel Information
Dominated by the Cloth Hall, with its Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque facade, the square is lined with reconstructed medieval guild houses where guild flags hang from the facades. In the center of the square is a statue of Christine de Lalaing, Princess of Epinoy, who during a 16th-century siege by the Spanish, in the absence of her husband, the governor, led the townspeople in defense of the city. During subsequent crises, she became a symbol of Tournai's freedom. Just off the square is the foot belfry, with lower portions dating from the 12th century.
Hainaut and Wallonian Brabant Travel Guide
There is a bell carillon dating from the 16th century in the tower; it is played each day at A. But it is Tournai's Cathedral of Notre Dame that merits most of one's attention. Its stark quintuple bell towers exude an aura of the dark ages. It is feet long, larger than the cathedrals in Paris, Chartres, Bruges, Antwerp, and the same length as that of Amiens.
Construction began in and when completed about 60 years later, it was entirely Romanesque in style. During the 13th century, however, in response to the Gothic style, a total reconstruction was planned. Fortunately, from the point of view of architectural history, only the choir, modeled after those at Amiens and Soissons, was replaced. It is twice as high as the nave, with pointed arches, stained glass windows and flying buttresses. The lower-ceilinged nave and transept remain Romanesque, but, from the exterior, the two styles of architecture are strangely harmonious, brought together visually by the five towers.
The front, adorned with a rose window, includes a porch that is entirely covered with statuary, mostly executed by local artisans of the 14th century. Eleutherus, a man lived during the sixth century and who was first bishop of Tournai, stands on a pedestal to the right of the main entrance, supporting a miniature rendition of the cathedral in his hand.
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Decapitated statues reveal damage wrought by Calvinist rioters in Twisted pillars at the north and south side doors are topped with bas-reliefs dating from the original construction in , with those on the north door considered the finest examples of Romanesque sculpture to have survived in Belgium. An ornate, somewhat heavy, marble rood screen dates from the Renaissance, but the grace of the 13th-century Ile-de-France Gothic choir is enhanced by the simple Romanesque nave.
There is a Rubens in one chapel, ''The Deliverance of Souls From Purgatory,'' that through the centuries has been heavily restored. The Christ figure has his arms stretched up to heaven, rather than on the cross, in keeping with the Protestant interpretation during the 17th century.
Perhaps the most extraordinary artwork in the cathedral are the remains of the 12th-century murals in two transept chapels, remarkably preserved considering their age. These were uncovered during the restoration of the cathedral following World War II. It is the treasury of the cathedral, containing a priceless collection of religious art, that makes a visit to Tournai memorable.
Included are three exquisitely detailed reliquaries. The Shrine of Our Lady is rendered in gilded copper also called vermeil and decorated with silver figures that depict familiar scenes from the life of the Virgin. Attributed to the master silversmith known as Nicholas of Verdun, it dates from The contents of this reliquary, relics of the saints of the diocese of Tournai, Rheims and the far-flung eastern domain of the church, are on display as well.
Each year, on the second Sunday in September, at 3 P. The procession has taken place annually since Another reliquary, that of St. Eleutherus, first bishop of Tournai, whose image appears at the side of the box holding the five towers of the cathedral, is said to contain his remains, and dates from It is rendered in filigreed silver and is attributed by some to Hugo d'Oignies, sculptor of the Goldsmith Treasure in Namur, and is considered to be one of a masterpiece of medieval art. Also on view is a seventh-century Byzantine cross studded with crudely cut rubies, emeralds and pearls, which is said to have a fragment of the cross on which Jesus died imbedded in the back.
The red silk chasuble that St. Thomas a Becket wore on his visit to Tournai, shortly before he was murdered at Canterbury, has survived the centuries and is on display. During the 14th century, the cathedral was served by 42 canons, 12 grand vicars and 50 or so chaplins so the Holy Office was sung throughout the entire day, from Matins to Compline. This led to the foundation of a school of vocal music and the composition, ''The Mass of Tournai,'' the first Mass for three voices.
The City of Tournai
The ancient manuscript of this first polyphonic chant is also on display. Beyond ancient public buildings, Tournai offers a course in the evolution of domestic architecture of Western Europe. A walk across the river to the narrow, cobblestoned Rue Barre St. In the same neighborhood are Gothic houses of the 14th and 15th centuries. On and around the Grand' Place there are several Renaissance houses; near the quays of the river are many elegant residences constructed during the time of Louis XIV, when Tournai was part of his realm. At the end of the day one should visit the Pont des Trous, one of the oldest bridges in Europe.
At dusk, the sun sets behind the bridge and the five mammoth cathedral towers, silhouetting them against the sky. Tournai has been a town of discovery, of architectural innovation, of new tapestry weaving techniques, revolutionary gold and silversmithing, creative porcelain and china manufacturing methods. It has always been a very special place, but perhaps this realization came in , when self-discovery occurred. After a long day exploring, a sit down in a bustling, vibrant square with a drink in hand is just what you need. The Grand Place is unique as it is triangular in shape, covered in colourful banners flying above fountains and a statue of Princess Christine of Espinoy, wielding an axe.
In the square, you can also see the Halle des Draps, a look back to Tournai's past as Belgium's centre of tapestry. The hall has a traditional gilt exterior, but its interior is a simple brick design. It was first built in the early s by Quentin Ratte, a master builder. It withstood both world wars, but had previously collapsed in the s, and was rebuilt to its exact original design. The hall is occasionally open for exhibitions, so make sure you check what's happening when you visit. At Eurotunnel Le Shuttle we have exciting offers, news and tailored travel inspiration that we hope you would like to hear about.
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Why you should visit Tournai
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Rough Guides | Travel Guide and Travel Information
Please try again - we'd not want you to miss out on the latest offers! Where is Tournai? Notre Dame Cathedral. Tournai Cathedral is an extravagant building that stands intimidatingly over the surrounding streets. The Halle des Draps is a beautiful gilded building and the perfect background to your holiday photos. Article tags. Search and book. In this article. Most Popular. Sign up for alerts Sign up for alerts and latest offers.
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