Photos, videos and docs of Martin M. Miles, with the keywords: "Clovis"

Tournai - Saint Quentin

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 15:03:21 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai - Saint Quentin

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 14:52:56 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai - Saint Quentin

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 14:42:31 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai - City hall

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 12:40:14 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai - Cathédrale Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 12:17:17 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai - Cathédrale Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 22:21:22 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai lies on the site of the Roman Turnacum and is, after Tongeren, the oldest city in Belgium. This was the site of a ford on the Scheldt River, where the connection between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Cologne, which had been expanded into a fortified Roman road, crossed the Scheldt. The Roman camp was plundered by the Franks and Chauci, but survived until 406, when the Vandals attacked and destroyed it.

The city became a Merovingian seat of power in the mid-5th century, from which King Childeric I also operated. In 486, Clovis moved the center of power to Paris. In 862, Charles the Bald, first king of Western Francia and still to become Holy Roman Emperor, would make Tournai the seat of the County of Flanders.

The city participated in 11th-century rise of towns in the Low Countries, with a woollen cloth industry, which made it attractive to merchants. The commune's drive for independence from the local counts succeeded in 1187, and the city was henceforth directly subordinated to the French Crown. During the 15th century, the city became an important supplier of tapestry. It was captured in 1513 by Henry VIII of England and was handed back to French rule in 1519.

Tournai Cathedral of Notre Dame is the seat of the Diocese of Tournai. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

In 1146, by order of Pope Eugene III, the Diocese of Tournai was established by splitting off from the Diocese of Noyon. The present cathedral was already under construction at that time. The transept was not vaulted until the beginning of the 13th century, followed by the construction of the crossing tower and the four flanking towers. The crossing has a Romanesque triforium above the transepts, but is already covered with a Gothic ribbed vault.

Under Bishop Walter de Marvis, the Romanesque choir was replaced in 1243 by the present, larger, High Gothic choir, which was consecrated in 1255. At the beginning of the 14th century, the west façade, which had no towers except for two delicate round turrets, received its Gothic vestibule, and by 1325, two more side chapels had been built in the Gothic style.

Thirteen works of art were stolen during an armed robbery at the cathedral in February 2008. The total value of the loot is estimated at 40 million euros. Nevertheless, there is still much to discover in the treasury.

Relics statue of Saint Nicholas, donated to the parish in 1628. Made by a goldsmith from Tournai.

Down below are the three (slaughtered) boys climbing out of the salt barrel after he had saved them.

Tournai - Cathédrale Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 21:35:23 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai lies on the site of the Roman Turnacum and is, after Tongeren, the oldest city in Belgium. This was the site of a ford on the Scheldt River, where the connection between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Cologne, which had been expanded into a fortified Roman road, crossed the Scheldt. The Roman camp was plundered by the Franks and Chauci, but survived until 406, when the Vandals attacked and destroyed it.

The city became a Merovingian seat of power in the mid-5th century, from which King Childeric I also operated. In 486, Clovis moved the center of power to Paris. In 862, Charles the Bald, first king of Western Francia and still to become Holy Roman Emperor, would make Tournai the seat of the County of Flanders.

The city participated in 11th-century rise of towns in the Low Countries, with a woollen cloth industry, which made it attractive to merchants. The commune's drive for independence from the local counts succeeded in 1187, and the city was henceforth directly subordinated to the French Crown. During the 15th century, the city became an important supplier of tapestry. It was captured in 1513 by Henry VIII of England and was handed back to French rule in 1519.

Tournai Cathedral of Notre Dame is the seat of the Diocese of Tournai. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

In 1146, by order of Pope Eugene III, the Diocese of Tournai was established by splitting off from the Diocese of Noyon. The present cathedral was already under construction at that time. The transept was not vaulted until the beginning of the 13th century, followed by the construction of the crossing tower and the four flanking towers. The crossing has a Romanesque triforium above the transepts, but is already covered with a Gothic ribbed vault.

Under Bishop Walter de Marvis, the Romanesque choir was replaced in 1243 by the present, larger, High Gothic choir, which was consecrated in 1255. At the beginning of the 14th century, the west façade, which had no towers except for two delicate round turrets, received its Gothic vestibule, and by 1325, two more side chapels had been built in the Gothic style.

Thirteen works of art were stolen during an armed robbery at the cathedral in February 2008. The total value of the loot is estimated at 40 million euros. Nevertheless, there is still much to discover in the treasury.

Reliquary Shrine of Saint Eleutherius

The Reliquary Shrine of Saint Eleutherius, who is considered the first bishop of Tournai, was commissioned by Bishop Walter de Marvis of Tournai, and completed in 1247. A blind arcade runs along the base, forming niches with the protective seated figures of Apostles and Prophets. In its gable end St Eleutherius appears, holding his crozier in one hand and in the other a model of the cathedral with its five spires.

The shrine was made in Tournai or its immediate vicinity. It has been attributed to the workshop that was founded by Nicholas of Verdun, who completed the Relic Shrine of Our Lady here in 1205

Tournai - Cathédrale Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 20:33:12 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai lies on the site of the Roman Turnacum and is, after Tongeren, the oldest city in Belgium. This was the site of a ford on the Scheldt River, where the connection between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Cologne, which had been expanded into a fortified Roman road, crossed the Scheldt. The Roman camp was plundered by the Franks and Chauci, but survived until 406, when the Vandals attacked and destroyed it.

The city became a Merovingian seat of power in the mid-5th century, from which King Childeric I also operated. In 486, Clovis moved the center of power to Paris. In 862, Charles the Bald, first king of Western Francia and still to become Holy Roman Emperor, would make Tournai the seat of the County of Flanders.

The city participated in 11th-century rise of towns in the Low Countries, with a woollen cloth industry, which made it attractive to merchants. The commune's drive for independence from the local counts succeeded in 1187, and the city was henceforth directly subordinated to the French Crown. During the 15th century, the city became an important supplier of tapestry. It was captured in 1513 by Henry VIII of England and was handed back to French rule in 1519.

Tournai Cathedral of Notre Dame is the seat of the Diocese of Tournai. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

In 1146, by order of Pope Eugene III, the Diocese of Tournai was established by splitting off from the Diocese of Noyon. The present cathedral was already under construction at that time. The transept was not vaulted until the beginning of the 13th century, followed by the construction of the crossing tower and the four flanking towers. The crossing has a Romanesque triforium above the transepts, but is already covered with a Gothic ribbed vault.

Under Bishop Walter de Marvis, the Romanesque choir was replaced in 1243 by the present, larger, High Gothic choir, which was consecrated in 1255. At the beginning of the 14th century, the west façade, which had no towers except for two delicate round turrets, received its Gothic vestibule, and by 1325, two more side chapels had been built in the Gothic style.

Thirteen works of art were stolen during an armed robbery at the cathedral in February 2008. The total value of the loot is estimated at 40 million euros. Nevertheless, there is still much to discover in the treasury.

Reliquary Shrine of Saint Eleutherius

The Reliquary Shrine of Saint Eleutherius, who is considered the first bishop of Tournai, was commissioned by Bishop Walter de Marvis of Tournai, and completed in 1247. A blind arcade runs along the base, forming niches with the protective seated figures of Apostles and Prophets. In its gable end St Eleutherius appears, holding his crozier in one hand and in the other a model of the cathedral with its five spires.

The shrine was made in Tournai or its immediate vicinity. It has been attributed to the workshop that was founded by Nicholas of Verdun, who completed the Relic Shrine of Our Lady here in 1205

Tournai - Cathédrale Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:55:55 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai lies on the site of the Roman Turnacum and is, after Tongeren, the oldest city in Belgium. This was the site of a ford on the Scheldt River, where the connection between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Cologne, which had been expanded into a fortified Roman road, crossed the Scheldt. The Roman camp was plundered by the Franks and Chauci, but survived until 406, when the Vandals attacked and destroyed it.

The city became a Merovingian seat of power in the mid-5th century, from which King Childeric I also operated. In 486, Clovis moved the center of power to Paris. In 862, Charles the Bald, first king of Western Francia and still to become Holy Roman Emperor, would make Tournai the seat of the County of Flanders.

The city participated in 11th-century rise of towns in the Low Countries, with a woollen cloth industry, which made it attractive to merchants. The commune's drive for independence from the local counts succeeded in 1187, and the city was henceforth directly subordinated to the French Crown. During the 15th century, the city became an important supplier of tapestry. It was captured in 1513 by Henry VIII of England and was handed back to French rule in 1519.

Tournai Cathedral of Notre Dame is the seat of the Diocese of Tournai. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

In 1146, by order of Pope Eugene III, the Diocese of Tournai was established by splitting off from the Diocese of Noyon. The present cathedral was already under construction at that time. The transept was not vaulted until the beginning of the 13th century, followed by the construction of the crossing tower and the four flanking towers. The crossing has a Romanesque triforium above the transepts, but is already covered with a Gothic ribbed vault.

Under Bishop Walter de Marvis, the Romanesque choir was replaced in 1243 by the present, larger, High Gothic choir, which was consecrated in 1255. At the beginning of the 14th century, the west façade, which had no towers except for two delicate round turrets, received its Gothic vestibule, and by 1325, two more side chapels had been built in the Gothic style.

Thirteen works of art were stolen during an armed robbery at the cathedral in February 2008. The total value of the loot is estimated at 40 million euros. Nevertheless, there is still much to discover in the treasury.

A fragment of the original Romanesque portal, which was replaced by the current Gothic portal.

Tournai - Cathédrale Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:41:20 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai lies on the site of the Roman Turnacum and is, after Tongeren, the oldest city in Belgium. This was the site of a ford on the Scheldt River, where the connection between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Cologne, which had been expanded into a fortified Roman road, crossed the Scheldt. The Roman camp was plundered by the Franks and Chauci, but survived until 406, when the Vandals attacked and destroyed it.

The city became a Merovingian seat of power in the mid-5th century, from which King Childeric I also operated. In 486, Clovis moved the center of power to Paris. In 862, Charles the Bald, first king of Western Francia and still to become Holy Roman Emperor, would make Tournai the seat of the County of Flanders.

The city participated in 11th-century rise of towns in the Low Countries, with a woollen cloth industry, which made it attractive to merchants. The commune's drive for independence from the local counts succeeded in 1187, and the city was henceforth directly subordinated to the French Crown. During the 15th century, the city became an important supplier of tapestry. It was captured in 1513 by Henry VIII of England and was handed back to French rule in 1519.

Tournai Cathedral of Notre Dame is the seat of the Diocese of Tournai. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

In 1146, by order of Pope Eugene III, the Diocese of Tournai was established by splitting off from the Diocese of Noyon. The present cathedral was already under construction at that time. The transept was not vaulted until the beginning of the 13th century, followed by the construction of the crossing tower and the four flanking towers. The crossing has a Romanesque triforium above the transepts, but is already covered with a Gothic ribbed vault.

Under Bishop Walter de Marvis, the Romanesque choir was replaced in 1243 by the present, larger, High Gothic choir, which was consecrated in 1255. At the beginning of the 14th century, the west façade, which had no towers except for two delicate round turrets, received its Gothic vestibule, and by 1325, two more side chapels had been built in the Gothic style.

Thirteen works of art were stolen during an armed robbery at the cathedral in February 2008. The total value of the loot is estimated at 40 million euros. Nevertheless, there is still much to discover in the treasury.

Jan Gossaert (aka Jan Mabuse) (1478 - 1532)

Breastfeeding Virgin

Tournai - Cathédrale Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 16:10:30 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai lies on the site of the Roman Turnacum and is, after Tongeren, the oldest city in Belgium. This was the site of a ford on the Scheldt River, where the connection between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Cologne, which had been expanded into a fortified Roman road, crossed the Scheldt. The Roman camp was plundered by the Franks and Chauci, but survived until 406, when the Vandals attacked and destroyed it.

The city became a Merovingian seat of power in the mid-5th century, from which King Childeric I also operated. In 486, Clovis moved the center of power to Paris. In 862, Charles the Bald, first king of Western Francia and still to become Holy Roman Emperor, would make Tournai the seat of the County of Flanders.

The city participated in 11th-century rise of towns in the Low Countries, with a woollen cloth industry, which made it attractive to merchants. The commune's drive for independence from the local counts succeeded in 1187, and the city was henceforth directly subordinated to the French Crown. During the 15th century, the city became an important supplier of tapestry. It was captured in 1513 by Henry VIII of England and was handed back to French rule in 1519.

Tournai Cathedral of Notre Dame is the seat of the Diocese of Tournai. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

In 1146, by order of Pope Eugene III, the Diocese of Tournai was established by splitting off from the Diocese of Noyon. The present cathedral was already under construction at that time. The transept was not vaulted until the beginning of the 13th century, followed by the construction of the crossing tower and the four flanking towers. The crossing has a Romanesque triforium above the transepts, but is already covered with a Gothic ribbed vault.

Under Bishop Walter de Marvis, the Romanesque choir was replaced in 1243 by the present, larger, High Gothic choir, which was consecrated in 1255. At the beginning of the 14th century, the west façade, which had no towers except for two delicate round turrets, received its Gothic vestibule, and by 1325, two more side chapels had been built in the Gothic style.

Thirteen works of art were stolen during an armed robbery at the cathedral in February 2008. The total value of the loot is estimated at 40 million euros. Nevertheless, there is still much to discover in the treasury.

Relic Shrine of Our Lady

Nicolas de Verdun (c 1130 - c 1205) was a goldsmith working near Vienna, in Cologne, and in Tournai. He was part of the Mosan art movement, had a large atelier and workshop probably near Verdun and marked the transition from Romanesque to early Gothic.

His best known works are

The "Verdun Altar", located at the Klosterneuburg Monastery in Austria.

The "Shrine of the Three Magi", located in the Cologne Cathedral.

The "Relic Shrine of Our Lady" in Tournai, dated to the early 1200s. It depicts, among other things, fourteen episodes from the lives of Mary and Christ.

The Adoration of the Magi

Tournai - Cathédrale Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 15:03:50 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai lies on the site of the Roman Turnacum and is, after Tongeren, the oldest city in Belgium. This was the site of a ford on the Scheldt River, where the connection between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Cologne, which had been expanded into a fortified Roman road, crossed the Scheldt. The Roman camp was plundered by the Franks and Chauci, but survived until 406, when the Vandals attacked and destroyed it.

The city became a Merovingian seat of power in the mid-5th century, from which King Childeric I also operated. In 486, Clovis moved the center of power to Paris. In 862, Charles the Bald, first king of Western Francia and still to become Holy Roman Emperor, would make Tournai the seat of the County of Flanders.

The city participated in 11th-century rise of towns in the Low Countries, with a woollen cloth industry, which made it attractive to merchants. The commune's drive for independence from the local counts succeeded in 1187, and the city was henceforth directly subordinated to the French Crown. During the 15th century, the city became an important supplier of tapestry. It was captured in 1513 by Henry VIII of England and was handed back to French rule in 1519.

Tournai Cathedral of Notre Dame is the seat of the Diocese of Tournai. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

In 1146, by order of Pope Eugene III, the Diocese of Tournai was established by splitting off from the Diocese of Noyon. The present cathedral was already under construction at that time. The transept was not vaulted until the beginning of the 13th century, followed by the construction of the crossing tower and the four flanking towers. The crossing has a Romanesque triforium above the transepts, but is already covered with a Gothic ribbed vault.

Under Bishop Walter de Marvis, the Romanesque choir was replaced in 1243 by the present, larger, High Gothic choir, which was consecrated in 1255. At the beginning of the 14th century, the west façade, which had no towers except for two delicate round turrets, received its Gothic vestibule, and by 1325, two more side chapels had been built in the Gothic style.

Thirteen works of art were stolen during an armed robbery at the cathedral in February 2008. The total value of the loot is estimated at 40 million euros. Nevertheless, there is still much to discover in the treasury.

Relic Shrine of Our Lady

Nicolas de Verdun (c 1130 - c 1205) was a goldsmith working near Vienna, in Cologne, and in Tournai. He was part of the Mosan art movement, had a large atelier and workshop probably near Verdun and marked the transition from Romanesque to early Gothic.

His best known works are

The "Verdun Altar", located at the Klosterneuburg Monastery in Austria.

The "Shrine of the Three Magi", located in the Cologne Cathedral.

The "Relic Shrine of Our Lady" in Tournai, dated to the early 1200s. It depicts, among other things, fourteen episodes from the lives of Mary and Christ. Seen from left to right:

Flight into Egypt, Presentation of Jesus, Baptism of Jesus,

The original relics disappeared in 1566 during the Iconoclasm, but the shrine has been in a restored state since 1890

Tournai - Cathédrale Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:30:18 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai lies on the site of the Roman Turnacum and is, after Tongeren, the oldest city in Belgium. This was the site of a ford on the Scheldt River, where the connection between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Cologne, which had been expanded into a fortified Roman road, crossed the Scheldt. The Roman camp was plundered by the Franks and Chauci, but survived until 406, when the Vandals attacked and destroyed it.

The city became a Merovingian seat of power in the mid-5th century, from which King Childeric I also operated. In 486, Clovis moved the center of power to Paris. In 862, Charles the Bald, first king of Western Francia and still to become Holy Roman Emperor, would make Tournai the seat of the County of Flanders.

The city participated in 11th-century rise of towns in the Low Countries, with a woollen cloth industry, which made it attractive to merchants. The commune's drive for independence from the local counts succeeded in 1187, and the city was henceforth directly subordinated to the French Crown. During the 15th century, the city became an important supplier of tapestry. It was captured in 1513 by Henry VIII of England and was handed back to French rule in 1519.

Tournai Cathedral of Notre Dame is the seat of the Diocese of Tournai. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

In 1146, by order of Pope Eugene III, the Diocese of Tournai was established by splitting off from the Diocese of Noyon. The present cathedral was already under construction at that time. The transept was not vaulted until the beginning of the 13th century, followed by the construction of the crossing tower and the four flanking towers. The crossing has a Romanesque triforium above the transepts, but is already covered with a Gothic ribbed vault.

Under Bishop Walter de Marvis, the Romanesque choir was replaced in 1243 by the present, larger, High Gothic choir, which was consecrated in 1255. At the beginning of the 14th century, the west façade, which had no towers except for two delicate round turrets, received its Gothic vestibule, and by 1325, two more side chapels had been built in the Gothic style.

Thirteen works of art were stolen during an armed robbery at the cathedral in February 2008. The total value of the loot is estimated at 40 million euros. Nevertheless, there is still much to discover in the treasury.

Relic Shrine of Our Lady

Nicolas de Verdun (c 1130 - c 1205) was a goldsmith working near Vienna, in Cologne, and in Tournai. He was part of the Mosan art movement, had a large atelier and workshop probably near Verdun and marked the transition from Romanesque to early Gothic.

His best known works are

The "Verdun Altar", located at the Klosterneuburg Monastery in Austria.

The "Shrine of the Three Magi", located in the Cologne Cathedral.

The "Relic Shrine of Our Lady" in Tournai, dated to the early 1200s. It depicts, among other things, fourteen episodes from the lives of Mary and Christ. Seen from left to right are

the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity

The original relics disappeared in 1566 during the Iconoclasm, but the shrine has been in a restored state since 1890

Tournai - Cathédrale Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 11:51:08 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai lies on the site of the Roman Turnacum and is, after Tongeren, the oldest city in Belgium. This was the site of a ford on the Scheldt River, where the connection between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Cologne, which had been expanded into a fortified Roman road, crossed the Scheldt. The Roman camp was plundered by the Franks and Chauci, but survived until 406, when the Vandals attacked and destroyed it.

The city became a Merovingian seat of power in the mid-5th century, from which King Childeric I also operated. In 486, Clovis moved the center of power to Paris. In 862, Charles the Bald, first king of Western Francia and still to become Holy Roman Emperor, would make Tournai the seat of the County of Flanders.

The city participated in 11th-century rise of towns in the Low Countries, with a woollen cloth industry, which made it attractive to merchants. The commune's drive for independence from the local counts succeeded in 1187, and the city was henceforth directly subordinated to the French Crown. During the 15th century, the city became an important supplier of tapestry. It was captured in 1513 by Henry VIII of England and was handed back to French rule in 1519.

Tournai Cathedral of Notre Dame is the seat of the Diocese of Tournai. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

In 1146, by order of Pope Eugene III, the Diocese of Tournai was established by splitting off from the Diocese of Noyon. The present cathedral was already under construction at that time. The transept was not vaulted until the beginning of the 13th century, followed by the construction of the crossing tower and the four flanking towers. The crossing has a Romanesque triforium above the transepts, but is already covered with a Gothic ribbed vault.

Under Bishop Walter de Marvis, the Romanesque choir was replaced in 1243 by the present, larger, High Gothic choir, which was consecrated in 1255. At the beginning of the 14th century, the west façade, which had no towers except for two delicate round turrets, received its Gothic vestibule, and by 1325, two more side chapels had been built in the Gothic style.

Thirteen works of art were stolen during an armed robbery at the cathedral in February 2008. The total value of the loot is estimated at 40 million euros. Nevertheless, there is still much to discover in the treasury.

Adoration of the Magi

Alabaster, French or Italian studio,
16th century

Tournai - Cathédrale Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 22:34:36 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai lies on the site of the Roman Turnacum and is, after Tongeren, the oldest city in Belgium. This was the site of a ford on the Scheldt River, where the connection between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Cologne, which had been expanded into a fortified Roman road, crossed the Scheldt. The Roman camp was plundered by the Franks and Chauci, but survived until 406, when the Vandals attacked and destroyed it.

The city became a Merovingian seat of power in the mid-5th century, from which King Childeric I also operated. In 486, Clovis moved the center of power to Paris. In 862, Charles the Bald, first king of Western Francia and still to become Holy Roman Emperor, would make Tournai the seat of the County of Flanders.

The city participated in 11th-century rise of towns in the Low Countries, with a woollen cloth industry, which made it attractive to merchants. The commune's drive for independence from the local counts succeeded in 1187, and the city was henceforth directly subordinated to the French Crown. During the 15th century, the city became an important supplier of tapestry. It was captured in 1513 by Henry VIII of England and was handed back to French rule in 1519.

Tournai Cathedral of Notre Dame is the seat of the Diocese of Tournai. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

In 1146, by order of Pope Eugene III, the Diocese of Tournai was established by splitting off from the Diocese of Noyon. The present cathedral was already under construction at that time. The transept was not vaulted until the beginning of the 13th century, followed by the construction of the crossing tower and the four flanking towers. The crossing has a Romanesque triforium above the transepts, but is already covered with a Gothic ribbed vault.

Under Bishop Walter de Marvis, the Romanesque choir was replaced in 1243 by the present, larger, High Gothic choir, which was consecrated in 1255. At the beginning of the 14th century, the west façade, which had no towers except for two delicate round turrets, received its Gothic vestibule, and by 1325, two more side chapels had been built in the Gothic style.

Thirteen works of art were stolen during an armed robbery at the cathedral in February 2008. The total value of the loot is estimated at 40 million euros. Nevertheless, there is still much to discover in the treasury.

Chrismatory

containing the holy oils, decorated with the "Coquille Saint-Jacques"

Tournai, 16th century

Tournai - Cathédrale Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 21:46:02 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai lies on the site of the Roman Turnacum and is, after Tongeren, the oldest city in Belgium. This was the site of a ford on the Scheldt River, where the connection between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Cologne, which had been expanded into a fortified Roman road, crossed the Scheldt. The Roman camp was plundered by the Franks and Chauci, but survived until 406, when the Vandals attacked and destroyed it.

The city became a Merovingian seat of power in the mid-5th century, from which King Childeric I also operated. In 486, Clovis moved the center of power to Paris. In 862, Charles the Bald, first king of Western Francia and still to become Holy Roman Emperor, would make Tournai the seat of the County of Flanders.

The city participated in 11th-century rise of towns in the Low Countries, with a woollen cloth industry, which made it attractive to merchants. The commune's drive for independence from the local counts succeeded in 1187, and the city was henceforth directly subordinated to the French Crown. During the 15th century, the city became an important supplier of tapestry. It was captured in 1513 by Henry VIII of England and was handed back to French rule in 1519.

Tournai Cathedral of Notre Dame is the seat of the Diocese of Tournai. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

In 1146, by order of Pope Eugene III, the Diocese of Tournai was established by splitting off from the Diocese of Noyon. The present cathedral was already under construction at that time. The transept was not vaulted until the beginning of the 13th century, followed by the construction of the crossing tower and the four flanking towers. The crossing has a Romanesque triforium above the transepts, but is already covered with a Gothic ribbed vault.

Under Bishop Walter de Marvis, the Romanesque choir was replaced in 1243 by the present, larger, High Gothic choir, which was consecrated in 1255. At the beginning of the 14th century, the west façade, which had no towers except for two delicate round turrets, received its Gothic vestibule, and by 1325, two more side chapels had been built in the Gothic style.

Thirteen works of art were stolen during an armed robbery at the cathedral in February 2008. The total value of the loot is estimated at 40 million euros. Nevertheless, there is still much to discover in the treasury.

Diptych known as Saint Nicholas

Ivory, Carolingian

Tournai - Cathédrale Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 17:05:50 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai - Cathédrale Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 15:58:11 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai - Cathédrale Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 15:21:58 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tournai - Cathédrale Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 22:46:42 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted: