Sint-Germanus church Tienen Belgium at night

Sint-Germanus church Tienen Belgium at night
Sint-Germanuskerk The Sint-Germanuskerk is located on the Veemarkt, the first medieval market square in Tienen. Successive enlargements, alterations and restorations, from the original small abbey church from the 9th century to the parish church, resulted in a combination of different styles, ranging from Romanesque to High Gothic. Of the Romanesque four-tower basilica, with Maas and Rhenish influences, only the early 13th-century western buildings have been preserved. In the mid-16th century, the church was fitted with a high-projecting transept and a tower, which in turn was crowned with a Baroque spire in 1713. The choir is gothic and dates from 1310-1320. In the church tower hangs the original carillon of Willem Witlockx (1723). In its current version, this carillon with its 54 bells is one of the largest in the country. In July and August, you can listen to the chimes every Wednesday evening. A listening place was set up for this in the Apostelenhof.

In addition to numerous other valuable works of art, we especially draw attention to the beautiful organ, which was completely restored in 1988. A few fragments of the late Gothic organ case (15th century), built by R. Cockx, are still present. The organ itself was built by D. Van der Distelen, but replaced by a new instrument in the 17th century by J. Deeckens, hence the name "Deeckens organ". In the 19th century Ch. Anneessens the organ case neo-gothic. The saint at the top of the cupboard is St. Gregory.

Vrijthof
Vrijthof Vrijthof is the current courtyard of the St. Germanus Church, located to the side of the church's main choir. This site was part of the original cemetery, which was divided into three after the enlargement of the transept in the 16th century. The three unequal parts each got their own name. Located between the southern transept arm and the southern aisle, the Apostles Court was the area where the members of the brotherhood of the Twelve Apostles were buried. The "Hooge Kerkhof" or the cemetery of St. Germanus was located on the side of the Wolmarkt.

The third part, which is referred to as the Vrijthof, has changed function during the renovation in the 16th century. It was no longer a cemetery. It became a closed court, situated between the sacristy and the former chapter house. Here is a remarkable masonry stone with an image of Christ under a wine press. This bas relief, which is made of white sand-lime brick from Gobertange, shows us the figure of Christ with loincloth and crown of thorns, with the left hand hanging from the top beam of a wine press. With the right hand he shows the wound, which is remarkably located here on the right side. The stone is also pierced in this place. This hole was probably connected to the sink inside the sacristy. At the bottom of the performance are six tools. The hammer, a number of chisels and a snag are clearly recognizable. This material comes from the construction company and refers to the activities of the stonemason. A second brick has also been laid in this facade. This is a fragment of the 17th-century gravestone of Guilam Van Blitterwyck.
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