The inside of this church is spectacular and we felt blessed that we were able to visit. The church closed for restoration at the beginning of April, just two weeks after our visit. It will be closed for four years!
This baroque pilgrimage church designed by Lucas Faydherbe was one of the first domed churches in the Low Countries. The dome was to have been even higher, but the substructure proved not to be sufficiently robust. Architect and church engaged in a bitter battle about additional reinforcements.
Inside under the dome are two huge reliefs, also by Faydherbe, believed by everyone to be sandstone until the bombing raids in the Second World War. But sandstone would have been too heavy, so the resourceful Faydherbe had used gypsum. Only when the damaged reliefs were repaired did the deception come to light.
At the front of the church is a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary which is carried in the annual Hanswijk procession. In 1985 the late Pope John Paul II prayed in this church, whose status was elevated to that of a basilica two years later.
Both the inside and the outside are spectacular Cherie… what a wonderful series of pictures….peter:)
It is a fabulous church. The renovations are to restore the dome which currently has braces to hold it up.
Timing is clearly everything, Cherry!!! What a beautiful church, even on the outside.
I felt to lucky that we were able to see it.
Second photo stunning.
Glad you like it
Absolute wonderful pictures. So many details. They did a great job, inside and outside.
It is a fascinating church.
Inside is truly remarkable!
I felt privileged to have seen the inside when I learned it was going to be closed for four years.