The main altar of white marble and black tough-stone is a present of arch-bishop Andreas Cruesen (1657-1666) whose white armorial bearings draw attention on the black bases of the columns. The sculptor-architect Lucas Fayd’herbe (1617-1697), built the porch-altar according to a design of willem Hees or Hesius (1601-1690). The still simple and equilibrated but majestically built baroque altar dominates the volume of the choir, especially with the theatrical 3.75 meters high stature of St Rombout on top of it.
The arched space with the doors and the huge gradin of gilt wood were cut by A. Quellin the Younger (1625-1700); the doors hide the relics-chest with the bones of Saint Rombout. It is work from 1825 by the Mechelen goldsmith J.Fr. van Deuren. At important feast-days the door wings are open in order to show the gilt copper reliquary with its scenes in embossed silver representing events from the life of the town’s patron.*
From Sint-Romboutskathedraal MECHELEN (English Edition)*
Will we ever see the like of such as that again?
Not for a long time I shouldn’t think.
That’s some altar!
It is amazing close up!!
I bet the acoustics are incredible there, too.
We didn’t get to hear them whilst we were there but I am sure they are. The tower has a carrilion of bells and they were beautiful to hear
The Altar doors remind me of St Mary’s in Krakow square, a shame they were closed for you.
It didn’t matter that they were closed it was quite a special moment just standing so close to such amazing artwork.
I have not yet been to Krakow although it is on my ‘to do’ list.
wow. amazing shots. really liked the one of St Rumbold with the stained glass work in the rear. and the pulpit is really a complex piece of work!
My favourite is the close up of St Rumbold next to the stained glass window
How many cathedrals ate there in Mechelen?
More than Bruges?
There are lots of churches and eight in particular are worthy of note. Is there more than one Cathedral in Bruges?