Basilica of Our Lady, Tongeren
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Nativity in Tongeren, the former cathedral of the suppressed diocese of Tongeren, is the principal Catholic church of Belgium's oldest town. It stands on a site of Christian worship reaching back to late antiquity, and Tongeren is regarded as the oldest Marian pilgrimage city in the Low Countries.
The present church is a fine example of Brabantine Gothic, with construction of the choir beginning in 1240 and the nave, transept and side chapels added between the 13th and 15th centuries. Its imposing 64-metre Gothic tower, built between 1442 and 1541, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999 as one of the Belfries of Belgium and France, recognised for its civic role as a watch-tower as well as its architecture.
Inside, the basilica venerates the much-loved statue of Our Lady of Tongeren dating from 1475, the focus of a centuries-old pilgrimage and of the great Kroningsfeesten crowning festivities held roughly every seven years. The church also preserves an outstanding ecclesiastical treasure, one of the richest collections of sacred art in Belgium, and was raised to the rank of basilica in 1931.
- Location
- 50.7808, 5.4646
- Local time
- 00:37 (Europe/Brussels)
🕘 Visiting hours
| Mon–Sat | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 12:30–17:00 |
Plausible typical hours; the basilica and its treasury are generally open daily with shorter Sunday morning access due to services. Verify on the official site.
✨ Saints & blessed venerated here
-
Our Lady of Tongeren Saint
The basilica is dedicated to the Virgin Mary's Nativity and venerates a celebrated 1475 statue of Our Lady of Tongeren.
-
Virgin Mary (Nativity of Mary) Saint
The church is dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwgeboorte).
Care & donations
Parish of Onze-Lieve-Vrouwgeboorte, Tongeren (Diocese of Hasselt)
Entry to the church is free; the treasury and archaeological site charge a small admission fee, and donations are welcomed.
Official website →The candle wall
2 candles burning now · 150 places
00:37
Tap an empty holder to light your own candle · €2.00 · hover a flame to see its intention