St. Bartholomew's Church

Liège, Belgium

The Collegiate Church of St. Bartholomew was built in coal sandstone, starting in the late 11th century (the chancel) and lasting until the late 12th century (the massive westwork, with its twin towers which were reconstructed in 1876). It underwent, like most ancient religious buildings, modifications through the centuries. Nevertheless, the Meuse Romanesque—Ottonian architecture character of its architecture remained deeply rooted. The 18th century saw the addition of two more aisles, the opening of a neoclassical portal in the walls of the westwork, and the French Baroque redecoration of the interior. The interior of the western section has recently been restored back to the original style.

The church contains numerous works of art, among which may be mentioned The Glorification of the Holy Cross, a tableau of the local painter Bertholet Flemalle (1614-1675); The Crucifixion, from another local artist, Englebert Fisen (1655-1733); and a statue of St. Roch by Renier Panhay de Rendeux.

St. Bartholomew is the site of one of the most known examples of ecclesiastical Mosan art, a baptismal font attributed to the goldsmith Renier de Huy. It was commissioned at the beginning of the 12th century (1107-1108) by the Abbot Hellin for the Church of Notre-Dame-aux-Fonts, now destroyed, where local baptisms traditionally were administered.

The font was installed in St. Bartholomew Church in 1804, after having been spared from the occupying forces of the French Revolutionary Army.

This work heralds a resurgence of Greek influences on Western art. The brass tank, resting on ten (originally twelve) ox figures, presents five scenes: the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, the preaching of St. John the Baptist, the baptism of the catechumens, the baptism of the Centurion Cornelius, and the baptism of the philosopher Craton.

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Details

Founded: 11th century
Category: Religious sites in Belgium

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

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4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Jackson DSouza (2 years ago)
Kind staff at the entrance. Beautiful church.
Wojciech Mrowicki (2 years ago)
How they rebuilt it from literal dilapidating ruins into such a beauty - it still amazes me. The stained glass is stunning. What I liked the most was the epic story of christening the Jewish and the pagan world told on that huge medieval vessel. Worth the entry fee along with the short video.
Zuhaib Ahmed Shaikh (3 years ago)
A Catholic church with a different outer design due to its historical factors that you usually don't see in Belgium. Though the church isn't free for visitors, and you have to pay a visiting fee of 3 euros per adult.
Logan Stewart (3 years ago)
Beautiful and interesting and quiet old church. English video and handout available.
Roby Coltrane (4 years ago)
Is transporting you to another time. Beautiful.
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