Once again, the weather wasn't lenient with me. It is always necessary that I choose the worst possible weather to take out my camera... Too bad !
Coat of arms of Kortrijk
Today's visit takes us to Kortrijk, the second most prosperous city in Belgium (after Antwerp and before Hasselt). The city on
the banks of the Lys has a rich history and heritage.
Unfortunately, the expansion of the Lys (to allow the passage of container carriers) is ransacking the docks of the city. When
economic priorities overtake everything else...
If we ignore the works of the river, Kortrijk remains a very pleasant city to walk.
Pictures
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We start with the Schouwburgplein, and as the name suggests, the theater. The square was formerly occupied by halls, which completely hid the theater.
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Built between 1912 and 1920 in Flemish neo-renaissance style, it has been modernized by a barbarian way in 1968. Finally, it will be restored to its original state in 2001.
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On the Grote Markt, we find the traditional belfry. It dates back to 1411 and was formerly built in the cloth hall µ (converted into a house in 1717 and demolished in the late 19th century).
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The belfry itself almost succumbed at the time. At his feet, the commemorative monument of the 14-18 war.
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The belfry has a jaquemart, named Manten and Kalle, since the 14th century. In 1382, our French friends stole it to place it on the cathedral of Dijon. It will only be returned in the 20th century.
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Near the Grote Markt, the imposing spire of Saint-Martin.
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At one end of the square is the town hall, with its long and eventful history.
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Started in 1418, it will be completed in 1520. Mutilated during the French Revolution, it was close to demolition in the early 20th century. A great restoration will last between 1958 and 1961.
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It's adorned with the Counts of Flanders "who watch pass the street".
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Very close to the communal house, the old Jesuit church Saint-Michel, from 1610.
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The inner courtyard of the town hall, a mixture of buildings from different eras.
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The main square (Grote Markt).
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View of the Lys from the Leiebrug. On the left quay was the castle of the Dukes of Burgundy. It disappeared in 1684. Right, the new wing of Notre-Dame Hospital.
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Located on the island of Buda, Notre-Dame Hospital.
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Founded in 1211, it works seamlessly until today. His last expansion dates from 2003.
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The towers of Broel, last vestiges of the medieval defensive wall.
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The left tower (Inghelburghtorre) dates from 1415 while the one from the right (Speytorre) dates from 1385, the bridge many times destroyed and rebuilt dates from the 19th century.
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Inghelburghtorre, which served as an artillery tower.
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The bridge of the 19th century.
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The Speytorre. It was part of the first castle of the Counts of Flanders.
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In the center of the bridge, the statue of Saint-Jean-Nepomucene, patron of the drowned.
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History of the statue. The text slowly becomes illegible.
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Built near the Lyse, Notre-Dame church, one of the oldest monuments of the city.
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Begun in 1199, it will be enlarged and embellished over the centuries.
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Severely damaged in 39-45, a slow reconstruction extended until 1961.
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The church played an important role in the history of the County of Flanders, with the Battle of the Golden Spurs.
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The interior harmoniously mixes Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque.
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Not very spacious, it has a rather intimate atmosphere.
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The very Flemish vault of a chapel of the choir.
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The high altar has the distinction of being richly decorated in the back.
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Attached to the church, the chapel of the Counts of Flanders. Built in 1371 as a mausoleum for Count Louis de Male in honor of Saint-Catherine.
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Statue of Saint-Catherine, 1374. The photo is marred by the reflections caused by the anti-theft glass.
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All the windows in the chapel date back to the 20th century.
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Back to Notre-Dame. The organs above the entrance.
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Remains of the French fortress, along the chapel.
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One of the few streets that has preserved its medieval topography.
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Stuck between the two main churches of Kortrijk, the Beguinage Sainte-Elisabeth, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Founded in 1238 by Joan of Constantinople, most of the current buildings date from the 17th century. Here, the house of the Great Lady.
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Saint-Martin dominating the old empty houses since the departure of the beguines.
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The neighborhood is crossed by narrow cobblestone streets.
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It's like almost being back in the Middle Ages...
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The chapel Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, built where we would have seen snow in August.
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The chapel of the Beguinage, originally Gothic, renovated in the 18th century.
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The Sainte-Anne Convent, built in 1682...
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... and restored in 1897.
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The statue of Saint-Anne above the entrance.
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The towers of Notre-Dame over the rooftops of the Beguinage.
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Close up on the top of the spire of Saint-Martin. The peak is 83 meters high.
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The baroque spire of 1601 was blasted in 1862, which caused a fire destroying the roofs and choir of the church.
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The carillon has 49 bells.
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View of the Grote Markt, from the Sint-Mateenskerkstraat, right in front of the church.
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Statue of Saint-Martin, on the portal of the church.
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The massive tower of Saint-Martin, in Brabant Gothic style, dates from 1439, restored in 1974.
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Josef Vandale Monument (1716-1781). Founder of a religious congregation active in education, assistance to the disabled and missionary work.
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The naves of Saint-Martin, built in white stone, between 1390 and 1466.
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The neo-Gothic choir (rebuilt after the fire of 1862) and the modern Grote Kring district.
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The Grote Kring and its shopping malls.
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The bedside of Saint-Martin. Only part of the church built of brick.
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A small manor in the shadow of Saint-Martin.
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In the church. As much as I enjoy walking in a church, so much here, I didn't feel comfortable.
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Very dark (hence the complete failure of photos of the interior), oppressive atmosphere, in short, it was not great.
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The vaults of the naves.
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The neo-Gothic choir, the only place in the sanctuary lit up in an acceptable way.
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The 16th century sacrament tower, 6.5 meters high.
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The choir, with a total lack of authenticity. Neo-Gothic could sometimes turn into parody.
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A bas-relief, behind the high altar.
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The high altar, installed in the middle of the choir.
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Triptych of the Holy Spirit by Bernard de Rijcker dating from 1587. While I photographed the painting, a man, coming out of nowhere, came to talk to me about this painting.
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Wanting to ask him a question, I turned around and the man was gone. Atmosphere assured !
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Let's get out of this church fast !
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The old houses of the Grote Markt.
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The house Patria, the oldest of the place. Its cellars date from the 13th century. Tot ziens Kortrijk.
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