The most beautiful religious buildings Belgium

The Collégiale Sainte-Gertrude, a building classified as an exceptional heritage site in Wallonia, is truly exceptional. Consecrated in 1046 by Emperor Henri III of the Holy Roman Empire, the building is one of the largest and oldest Romanesque churches in Europe, in the Rhineland Ottonian Romanesque style to be exact. Its majestic silhouette is distinguished by its clean lines and the overall balance of its forms. Only a few parts date from the end of the 12th century (southern gable of the east transept and western forebody) but they fit perfectly into the previously built ensemble. It is remarkable for its two transepts and its two choirs, opposite each other, in the manner of a Byzantine basilica. The Romanesque octagonal bell tower has 49 bells and two turrets. One of them (known as the Jean de Nivelles Tower) houses a 15th century copper jacquemart.
Under the main nave, a converted basement allows an archaeological visit, offering the discovery of the foundations of the five successive churches preceding the Romanesque construction, built from the 7th to the 10th century. There is talk of the beginnings of Christianity in the early Middle Ages! The first Merovingian church, built around 650, houses the burial vaults of the first religious community of the abbey of Nivelles. The last church erected by the Carolingians contains the tomb of Ermentrude, granddaughter of Hugues Capet. Finally, the cloister gives us a vague idea of what the imposing abbey complex might have been like.

Overlooking the Orneau on its rocky spur, it was founded in the 13 th century. The abbey was then completely rebuilt during the second part of the 18 th century under the leadership of the famous architect Laurent-Benoît Dewez. Since 1861, the buildings welcome the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences of Gembloux after being sold to the French Revolution. Located in the heart of the city and surrounded by a beautiful park, the abbey consists of the old quarter, in the form of H, of the monks'neighbourhood, where the old cloister, church and farm were located. These different parts of the abbey have been carefully renovated! All the renovations were made with natural materials, mixing the original style with a certain modernity. They are an integral part of the university faculty, including offices, audiences, or the science library. The site is accessible periodically to the public, including during the organisation of the Heritage Days (second weekend of September).