Holland.com > Travel > Featured > Basilicas Maastricht
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Apr 21, 2007 3:58 PM GMT
By: NBTC
Basilicas Maastricht

Basilica and treasury of St. Servatius
The St. Servatius Basilica is the only church in Holland built on a grave of a saint and has become a symbol for the town. On the outside the Basilica is imposing and inside is a treasure house of tradition, history, religious culture and architecture.

The Basilica
The medieval cruciform basilica is located on the site of an early Roman 'sanctuary.' The core of this medieval basilica dates from 1000 AD. In the 14th and 15th centuries the basilica was enlarged and in the 19th century it was restored. The largest bell in Holland hangs in the Southern Tower of the west wall. It is called 'Grameer' (Grandmother) and weighs 15,432 lbs.

The Treasury
The tomb of St. Servatius, the first bishop of Maastricht, and the treasury contain the splendid reliquary chest that holds his remains. It is said that in times of need the chest was carried around the town in a procession to ward off danger.

 

Furthermore, the treasury offers a rich collection of objects used in public worship: reliquaries, paintings, figurines, old eastern fabrics, ivory etc. The most magnificent pieces include the large reliquary of St. Servatius (12th century), the bust of St. Servatius (1579), and the various attributes of the patron saint of the city, namely the staff, pectoral cross, beaker and key.


Basilica and treasury of our beloved lady

The Basilica
The Basilica of Our Beloved Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwebasiliek), on the square by the same name, is thought to be one of the finest Romanesque churches in the country. The oldest parts from this medieval basilica date from the 11th century. The church has been enlarged and altered during different periods. The west wing as well as the choir are architecturally important and are the only one of their kind.

The treasury
This treasure house, too, has a large number of exhibits of ecclesiastical art and crafts, including richly embroidered copes and chasubles, the so-called "Levite Tapestry" of St. Lambertus, the last Bishop of Maastricht, and the only one born in the town.
The treasury offers relics in magnificent reliquaries, procession banners, church silver, figurines and more.

 


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