Rombout of Rumoldus is patroonheilige van Mechelen, waar de kathedraal naar hem genoemd is. Een legende vertelt hoe Rombout vermoord werd. Hij liet in de buurt van Mechelen een kleine kerk bouwen en "tegen de gewoontes van die tijd in" betaalde hij de arbeiders een billijk loon. Dat was opgevallen bij twee mannen die vermoedden dat Rombout wel heel erg rijk moest zijn. Ze besloten hem om te brengen. Toen Rombout op zekere dag een van beiden van overspel berispte, was het hek van de dam. Ze volgden hem toen hij al biddend ergens aan het wandelen was, sloegen hem dood en beroofden hem van het weinige geld dat hij op zak had. Rombouts belagers wierpen zijn lijk in het water en namen de benen. Een wonderbaarlijk licht scheen echter op de plek waar het lijk in het water lag. Het werd ontdekt en met grote luister bijgezet in het kerkje dat Rombout zelf had laten bouwen. Vlakbij het graf gebeurden aanstonds mirakels en men kwam van heinde en verre de martelaar vereren. Later werden Rombouts beenderen in een zilveren relikwiekas gelegd. De huidige kas dateert van 1825 en het is die kas die zowel dertig jaar geleden als nu werd geopend om de beenderen te bestuderen. Wat vertellen die beenderen? Ze vertellen in elk geval meer dan dertig jaar geleden, want de onderzoeksmethodes zijn ondertussen enorm verfijnd. We weten nu dat in de kast een man ligt die tussen de 35 en 40 jaar oud moet zijn geweest toen hij stierf. Hij had een lengte van ongeveer 1,69 meter en het skelet vertoont sporen van onder meer genezen rachitis op jonge leeftijd, alsook sporen van een ziekte die ontstaat door een eiwitrijk dieet. Daar men toen zeer veel eieren at in kloosters, moet het een kloosterfiguur geweest zijn. Onze streken werden inderdaad in die periode gekerstend vanuit de kloosters. Met 95 procent zekerheid kan ook gezegd worden dat de man gestorven is tussen het jaar 580 en 655. Dat stelt een probleem, want traditioneel wordt Rombouts overlijdensdatum gedateerd in 775. Daaruit concluderen dat het niet om Rombout gaat, is voorbarig. Zoals gezegd werden jaartallen van overlijdens nooit genoteerd. Het jaartal 775 duikt pas in de dertiende eeuw op. Van geen enkele "oude heilige" kennen we het exacte sterfjaar, maar enkel de stervensdag. Het moet om een uiterst belangrijke figuur gegaan zijn, want zelden treft men beenderen van die ouderdom aan die in zulk een goede toestand bewaard zijn. Een van de enige personen die daarvoor in aanmerking komen, is Rombout. De voornaamste conclusie is dus dat het leven van Rombout vroeger moet gesitueerd worden dan gedacht. Dat valt te rijmen met wat ik daarvoor gezegd hebt: hij zou van Ierse afkomst zijn en in de zevende eeuw komen heel wat missionarissen uit Ierland ons bekeren.
The impressive late-medieval tower of the Saint Rombout Cathedral with its carillon of 98 bells can be seen from far away. Mechelen is still the religious capital of Belgium, here resides the Archbishop of Belgium.
The Cathedral of Mechelen is one of the most awesome churches in Belgium. The famous French architect Vauban was so impressed by the building that he described it as the eight world wonder. This majestic gothic construction is situated on the side of the Market Square of Mechelen. It impresses everybody by its sheer monumental mass dominated by the enormous tower.
The tower reaches an altitude of 97,28 m. It was constructed to reach a total height of 167 m !. If this plan would have been fulfilled, Mechelen would have had the highest tower in the Low Countries. The church is named after Saint Rumbold ( in Dutch : St. Rombout). He was an Irish missionary who christianized the area of Mechelen. He built a monastery in the area and died later a martyr.
This cathedral is also the main religious building in Belgium, because in Mechelen resides the Archbishop of the country. At the moment, this is Cardinal Godfried Danneels. Inside the cathedral are the tombs of some of his predecessors. One of them was the famous Cardinal Mercier.
The nave is 94 m long, 12 m wide and 27 m high, dimensions that are typical for the gothic style. The history of this cathedral starts in the 13th century. The eastern part of the transept was made around 1217, the western pillars of the transept were made in 1230. The nave with six bows was started around the middle of the 13th century. In the 14th and 15th century the choir was constructed. The tower was begun in 1452, but the construction stopped during the Religious Wars of the 16th century.
One of the most important art treasures of the cathedral is a painting by the Antwerpian Anton van Dijck, ' The crucified Christ', (altar of the right transept). The splendid main altar was made by Lucas Fayd'herbe in polychrome marble (1665). From the 17th century date the sculptures of the twelve apostles and the four evangelists that decorate the pillars of the nave. The beautifully sculptured wooden pulpit was made by Van der Voort the elder in 1721.
I'm convinced it's a our saint Rumoldus ;-) It's impressive to have this whole skeleton anyway! Usually churches only have fragments of a saint. The fact that this skeleton has stayed here all these ages (and has been revered too all these ages) is even more impressive!
From a far distance, one easily recognizes Mechelen by the truncated silhouette of its St.Rumbold's tower. This unfinished monument with its 97,28 m, dominates the whole area. The 514 steps leading to the upper gallery don't deter the thousands of visitors. The go-slow, smooth, and gradual climb with pauses at each of the 6 floors, allows everybody to reach the top.
The original plans for the tower were made when Mechelen became a rich and powerful commercial and political center. How to show this better than by building a huge tower ? Indeed, the tower of the St. Rumbold's cathedral was to become the highest tower in the low countries. Completed, it should have reached the dizzying height of 160 m. Financial problems in the 16th century ensured that this plan was brought to a halt. The tower now reaches an altitude of 97,28 m. Inside the cathedral is a scale model of what the tower should have looked like if it had been completed.
There is a first stop in the crane room, where one can admire the skill and inventiveness of our medieval crane constructors. About 80 steps higher on the next floor, which once was the smithy, your guide will explain the oldest way and basic principles of chiming and the evolution of carillon music. Far above your heads, you already see the huge bells of the old carillon. Salvator (8884 kg), Jehsus (dated from 1640) and the younger liberation bell (1947) are some of our famous bells you can admire from close-by. The carillon is praised and cherished by campanologists.
The next 3 floors bring you along the old clockwork among the 49 bells of the antique instrument, which, despite its age, still is in perfect working order. Amazed one discovers only 39 steps higher, a brand-new carillon, used during the summer months for the renowned summer-evening recitals (from June to mid-September). Jo Haazen and other guest carillonneurs present you their repertoire every Monday evening from 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. You are cordially invited to attend these recitals, free seats are available.
Our two impressive carillons those bronze mastodons with their enormous total weight of 80 tons and 98 bells, are not the only attraction our tower has to offer, for after a last flight of steps, you at last reach the top platform and the outside top balcony with a ravishing bird's eye view of the town. There is even a carillon school in Mechelen, housed in a beautiful building in Rococo-style.
We only can affirm the words of Libert Vanderkerken where he wrote : "Filled with joy, you look around and greet the fields, the woods, the moon and stars. A grandiose sight unfolds and fills your eyes and heart with overwhelming joy, and in this mood you'll find that precious peace of mind."
It's true, the result makes that small physical effort worthwhile !
The cathedral was founded in the 10th century but rebuilt from the 13th until the 15th century. In 1801 the church was promoted to cathedral to replace the demolished St. Lambert Cathedral. Consequently, changes were undertaken to prepare St. Paul's for its new function. The building shows the typical elements of the Mosan Gothic style: three naves with seven bays and chapels. The entrance is on the Northern side. On the ceiling some beautiful frescoes can be admired. They date from 1557 (renovated in 1860) and show a panoply of people, birds, arabesques and mythical animals. Saint Paul's cathedral possesses a splendid treasure with ivory artifacts from the 11th century as well as the golden relic-shrine of St. Lambert (donated by Bishop Everhard van der Marck) and a smaller relic-shrine offered by Duke Charles the Bold (probably to make up for the destruction and plundering of the city that he had ordered). Another art treasure: the marble sculpture of 'Christ in his grave' made by Delcour in 1696.
It's Saint-Paul's Cathedral that houses today the Treasury of Saint-Lambert's Cathedral. Like most of the religious buildings of this size, Saint Paul's has undergone various refurbishments and reconstructions since it was first built in around 1230 - the last addition was an additional floor in the tower in the 19th century which is an imitation of that of Saint-Lambert. The Treasury in the 15th century cloisters houses many treasures including the famous "Reliquary of Charles the Bold" (around 1467), the famous bust-reliquary of Saint-Lambert (around 1512) and the Meuse ivory of the Three Resurrections. Its collections of textiles (shroud of Saint-Lambert, liturgical ornaments) are remarkable. The Treasury suggests an art and history route on the ancient Episcopal Principality of Liège.
ST LAMBERT OF MAASTRICHT (Bishop and Martyr; died c. 705; Memorial day 17th September):
a zealous missionary bishop for some thirty years, of which seven were spent in exile at Stavelot because of the enmity of the powerful West Frankish magnate, Ebroin. His murder at Liège has been attributed to personal revenge on the part of the murderer, identified as a high state official whom Lambert had rebuked for adultery. Lambert was quickly venerated as a martyr and evangeliser; many churches in the Low Countries are dedicated in his honour.
great arquitecture..
ReplyDeletetks..
Rombout of Rumoldus is patroonheilige van Mechelen, waar de kathedraal naar hem genoemd is.
ReplyDeleteEen legende vertelt hoe Rombout vermoord werd. Hij liet in de buurt van Mechelen een kleine kerk bouwen en "tegen de gewoontes van die tijd in" betaalde hij de arbeiders een billijk loon. Dat was opgevallen bij twee mannen die vermoedden dat Rombout wel heel erg rijk moest zijn. Ze besloten hem om te brengen. Toen Rombout op zekere dag een van beiden van overspel berispte, was het hek van de dam. Ze volgden hem toen hij al biddend ergens aan het wandelen was, sloegen hem dood en beroofden hem van het weinige geld dat hij op zak had. Rombouts belagers wierpen zijn lijk in het water en namen de benen.
Een wonderbaarlijk licht scheen echter op de plek waar het lijk in het water lag. Het werd ontdekt en met grote luister bijgezet in het kerkje dat Rombout zelf had laten bouwen. Vlakbij het graf gebeurden aanstonds mirakels en men kwam van heinde en verre de martelaar vereren. Later werden Rombouts beenderen in een zilveren relikwiekas gelegd. De huidige kas dateert van 1825 en het is die kas die zowel dertig jaar geleden als nu werd geopend om de beenderen te bestuderen. Wat vertellen die beenderen? Ze vertellen in elk geval meer dan dertig jaar geleden, want de onderzoeksmethodes zijn ondertussen enorm verfijnd. We weten nu dat in de kast een man ligt die tussen de 35 en 40 jaar oud moet zijn geweest toen hij stierf. Hij had een lengte van ongeveer 1,69 meter en het skelet vertoont sporen van onder meer genezen rachitis op jonge leeftijd, alsook sporen van een ziekte die ontstaat door een eiwitrijk dieet. Daar men toen zeer veel eieren at in kloosters, moet het een kloosterfiguur geweest zijn. Onze streken werden inderdaad in die periode gekerstend vanuit de kloosters. Met 95 procent zekerheid kan ook gezegd worden dat de man gestorven is tussen het jaar 580 en 655. Dat stelt een probleem, want traditioneel wordt Rombouts overlijdensdatum gedateerd in 775.
Daaruit concluderen dat het niet om Rombout gaat, is voorbarig. Zoals gezegd werden jaartallen van overlijdens nooit genoteerd. Het jaartal 775 duikt pas in de dertiende eeuw op. Van geen enkele "oude heilige" kennen we het exacte sterfjaar, maar enkel de stervensdag. Het moet om een uiterst belangrijke figuur gegaan zijn, want zelden treft men beenderen van die ouderdom aan die in zulk een goede toestand bewaard zijn. Een van de enige personen die daarvoor in aanmerking komen, is Rombout. De voornaamste conclusie is dus dat het leven van Rombout vroeger moet gesitueerd worden dan gedacht. Dat valt te rijmen met wat ik daarvoor gezegd hebt: hij zou van Ierse afkomst zijn en in de zevende eeuw komen heel wat missionarissen uit Ierland ons bekeren.
Saint-Rumbold's Cathedral
ReplyDeleteThe impressive late-medieval tower of the Saint Rombout Cathedral with its carillon of 98 bells can be seen from far away. Mechelen is still the religious capital of Belgium, here resides the Archbishop of Belgium.
The Cathedral of Mechelen is one of the most awesome churches in Belgium. The famous French architect Vauban was so impressed by the building that he described it as the eight world wonder. This majestic gothic construction is situated on the side of the Market Square of Mechelen. It impresses everybody by its sheer monumental mass dominated by the enormous tower.
The tower reaches an altitude of 97,28 m. It was constructed to reach a total height of 167 m !. If this plan would have been fulfilled, Mechelen would have had the highest tower in the Low Countries. The church is named after Saint Rumbold ( in Dutch : St. Rombout). He was an Irish missionary who christianized the area of Mechelen. He built a monastery in the area and died later a martyr.
This cathedral is also the main religious building in Belgium, because in Mechelen resides the Archbishop of the country. At the moment, this is Cardinal Godfried Danneels. Inside the cathedral are the tombs of some of his predecessors. One of them was the famous Cardinal Mercier.
The nave is 94 m long, 12 m wide and 27 m high, dimensions that are typical for the gothic style. The history of this cathedral starts in the 13th century. The eastern part of the transept was made around 1217, the western pillars of the transept were made in 1230. The nave with six bows was started around the middle of the 13th century. In the 14th and 15th century the choir was constructed. The tower was begun in 1452, but the construction stopped during the Religious Wars of the 16th century.
One of the most important art treasures of the cathedral is a painting by the Antwerpian Anton van Dijck, ' The crucified Christ', (altar of the right transept). The splendid main altar was made by Lucas Fayd'herbe in polychrome marble (1665). From the 17th century date the sculptures of the twelve apostles and the four evangelists that decorate the pillars of the nave. The beautifully sculptured wooden pulpit was made by Van der Voort the elder in 1721.
I'm convinced it's a our saint Rumoldus ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt's impressive to have this whole skeleton anyway! Usually churches only have fragments of a saint. The fact that this skeleton has stayed here all these ages (and has been revered too all these ages) is even more impressive!
And thanks for adding the info ;-)
Saint-Rumbold's Tower
ReplyDeleteFrom a far distance, one easily recognizes Mechelen by the truncated silhouette of its St.Rumbold's tower. This unfinished monument with its 97,28 m, dominates the whole area. The 514 steps leading to the upper gallery don't deter the thousands of visitors. The go-slow, smooth, and gradual climb with pauses at each of the 6 floors, allows everybody to reach the top.
The original plans for the tower were made when Mechelen became a rich and powerful commercial and political center. How to show this better than by building a huge tower ? Indeed, the tower of the St. Rumbold's cathedral was to become the highest tower in the low countries. Completed, it should have reached the dizzying height of 160 m. Financial problems in the 16th century ensured that this plan was brought to a halt. The tower now reaches an altitude of 97,28 m. Inside the cathedral is a scale model of what the tower should have looked like if it had been completed.
There is a first stop in the crane room, where one can admire the skill and inventiveness of our medieval crane constructors. About 80 steps higher on the next floor, which once was the smithy, your guide will explain the oldest way and basic principles of chiming and the evolution of carillon music. Far above your heads, you already see the huge bells of the old carillon. Salvator (8884 kg), Jehsus (dated from 1640) and the younger liberation bell (1947) are some of our famous bells you can admire from close-by. The carillon is praised and cherished by campanologists.
The next 3 floors bring you along the old clockwork among the 49 bells of the antique instrument, which, despite its age, still is in perfect working order. Amazed one discovers only 39 steps higher, a brand-new carillon, used during the summer months for the renowned summer-evening recitals (from June to mid-September). Jo Haazen and other guest carillonneurs present you their repertoire every Monday evening from 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. You are cordially invited to attend these recitals, free seats are available.
Our two impressive carillons those bronze mastodons with their enormous total weight of 80 tons and 98 bells, are not the only attraction our tower has to offer, for after a last flight of steps, you at last reach the top platform and the outside top balcony with a ravishing bird's eye view of the town. There is even a carillon school in Mechelen, housed in a beautiful building in Rococo-style.
We only can affirm the words of Libert Vanderkerken where he wrote : "Filled with joy, you look around and greet the fields, the woods, the moon and stars. A grandiose sight unfolds and fills your eyes and heart with overwhelming joy, and in this mood you'll find that precious peace of mind."
It's true, the result makes that small physical effort worthwhile !
Mechelen has a lot of churches.
ReplyDeleteYou can tell it is the catholic capital of the United Netherlands...
CATHEDRALE DE SAINT PAUL (Saint Paul's Cathedral)
ReplyDeleteThe cathedral was founded in the 10th century but rebuilt from the 13th until the 15th century. In 1801 the church was promoted to cathedral to replace the demolished St. Lambert Cathedral. Consequently, changes were undertaken to prepare St. Paul's for its new function. The building shows the typical elements of the Mosan Gothic style: three naves with seven bays and chapels. The entrance is on the Northern side. On the ceiling some beautiful frescoes can be admired. They date from 1557 (renovated in 1860) and show a panoply of people, birds, arabesques and mythical animals. Saint Paul's cathedral possesses a splendid treasure with ivory artifacts from the 11th century as well as the golden relic-shrine of St. Lambert (donated by Bishop Everhard van der Marck) and a smaller relic-shrine offered by Duke Charles the Bold (probably to make up for the destruction and plundering of the city that he had ordered). Another art treasure: the marble sculpture of 'Christ in his grave' made by Delcour in 1696.
It's Saint-Paul's Cathedral that houses today the Treasury of Saint-Lambert's Cathedral. Like most of the religious buildings of this size, Saint Paul's has undergone various refurbishments and reconstructions since it was first built in around 1230 - the last addition was an additional floor in the tower in the 19th century which is an imitation of that of Saint-Lambert. The Treasury in the 15th century cloisters houses many treasures including the famous "Reliquary of Charles the Bold" (around 1467), the famous bust-reliquary of Saint-Lambert (around 1512) and the Meuse ivory of the Three Resurrections. Its collections of textiles (shroud of Saint-Lambert, liturgical ornaments) are remarkable. The Treasury suggests an art and history route on the ancient Episcopal Principality of Liège.
ST LAMBERT OF MAASTRICHT
ReplyDelete(Bishop and Martyr; died c. 705; Memorial day 17th September):
a zealous missionary bishop for some thirty years, of which seven were spent in exile at Stavelot because of the enmity of the powerful West Frankish magnate, Ebroin. His murder at Liège has been attributed to personal revenge on the part of the murderer, identified as a high state official whom Lambert had rebuked for adultery. Lambert was quickly venerated as a martyr and evangeliser; many churches in the Low Countries are dedicated in his honour.