The Béguinage, founded in 1257, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. Its enclosure wall was destroyed in the 19th century: it separated the beguinage from the rest of the city and thus guaranteed peace and quiet for the small religion-inspired community. In the 17th century the beguinage counted some 300 beguines; it was also able to survive the 1677 fire that destroyed most of the city.
The Tongeren Basilica (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Basiliek), built in Gothic style in the 13th century, where recent excavations have produced some of the richest archaeological finds in Flanders. Archaeological excavations have proven the presence of an edifice here starting from the 4th century, while a Carolingian prayer house existed here in the 9th century. The building of the choir of the present basilica began in 1240. Nave, transepts and side chapels were added between the 13th and 15th century. The original Romanesque tower was replaced by the present, 64 m-tall Gothic tower from 1442 until 1541. The basilica's interior is home to the statue of Our Lady of Tongeren, executed in 1475. The treasury is housed in the former hall of the Chapter and comprises one of the richest collections of religious art in Belgium.
Church of St. Catherine, built in Gothic style in 1294 but modified later in different styles. Works of art include the 1711 pulpit by Robrecht Verburgh, the main altarpiece by Gaspar de Crayer (17th century) and a sculpture of the "Suffering Christ", donated by the beguine Anna de Floz.
The Gallo-Roman museum, which houses Celtic gold, Roman glassware, Merovingian filigree work, and a Roman dodecahedron, an unusual Gallo-Roman object found during excavations
The original Roman wall, dating from the 2nd century, still visible for more than 1,500 meters.
Some of the medieval defensive towers, also still visible today
Statue of Ambiorix, executed in 1866
The Kroningsfeesten (“Coronation Celebrations”) are organized every seven years in commemoration of the crowning of the miraculous statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Bishop Doutreloux in 1890. This religious procession, one of the largest and most impressive in Belgium, took place for the seventeenth time in 2009.
A well-attended antiques fair takes place every Sunday.
Ambiorix, prince of the Eburones and rebel leader against the Roman invaders; although his statue stands on the central square of Tongeren, it is unknown where he lived exactly and disputed as to whether he ever really existed, since Julius Caesar's own Commentarii de Bello Gallico is the only source to mention him (1st century BC)
Saint Servatius, bishop of Tongeren, introduced Christianity in the Netherlands (4th century)
Saint Helier, ascetic hermit and patron saint of Jersey (6th century)
Radulph of Rivo, historian and liturgist (d. 1403)
Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau, French politician (1749–1791)
Valentinus Paquay, Roman Catholic beatified priest, also known as "het heilig Paterke van Hasselt" (the holy priest [diminutive] of Hasselt) (1828–1905)
Philippe Boesmans, composer (b. 1936)
Robert Cailliau, co-inventor of the World Wide Web, together with Tim Berners-Lee (b. 1947)
Patrick Dewael, politician, former Minister President of Flanders, and mayor (b. 1955)
The Tongeren Basilica (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Basiliek), built in Gothic style in the 13th century, where recent excavations have produced some of the richest archaeological finds in Flanders. Archaeological excavations have proven the presence of an edifice here starting from the 4th century, while a Carolingian prayer house existed here in the 9th century. The building of the choir of the present basilica began in 1240. Nave, transepts and side chapels were added between the 13th and 15th century. The original Romanesque tower was replaced by the present, 64 m-tall Gothic tower from 1442 until 1541. The basilica's interior is home to the statue of Our Lady of Tongeren, executed in 1475. The treasury is housed in the former hall of the Chapter and comprises one of the richest collections of religious art in Belgium.
Church of St. Catherine, built in Gothic style in 1294 but modified later in different styles. Works of art include the 1711 pulpit by Robrecht Verburgh, the main altarpiece by Gaspar de Crayer (17th century) and a sculpture of the "Suffering Christ", donated by the beguine Anna de Floz.
The Gallo-Roman museum, which houses Celtic gold, Roman glassware, Merovingian filigree work, and a Roman dodecahedron, an unusual Gallo-Roman object found during excavations
The original Roman wall, dating from the 2nd century, still visible for more than 1,500 meters.
Some of the medieval defensive towers, also still visible today
Statue of Ambiorix, executed in 1866
The Kroningsfeesten (“Coronation Celebrations”) are organized every seven years in commemoration of the crowning of the miraculous statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Bishop Doutreloux in 1890. This religious procession, one of the largest and most impressive in Belgium, took place for the seventeenth time in 2009.
A well-attended antiques fair takes place every Sunday.
Ambiorix, prince of the Eburones and rebel leader against the Roman invaders; although his statue stands on the central square of Tongeren, it is unknown where he lived exactly and disputed as to whether he ever really existed, since Julius Caesar's own Commentarii de Bello Gallico is the only source to mention him (1st century BC)
Saint Servatius, bishop of Tongeren, introduced Christianity in the Netherlands (4th century)
Saint Helier, ascetic hermit and patron saint of Jersey (6th century)
Radulph of Rivo, historian and liturgist (d. 1403)
Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau, French politician (1749–1791)
Valentinus Paquay, Roman Catholic beatified priest, also known as "het heilig Paterke van Hasselt" (the holy priest [diminutive] of Hasselt) (1828–1905)
Philippe Boesmans, composer (b. 1936)
Robert Cailliau, co-inventor of the World Wide Web, together with Tim Berners-Lee (b. 1947)
Patrick Dewael, politician, former Minister President of Flanders, and mayor (b. 1955)
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