Collegiate Church of Saint Begga

The Collegiate Church of Saint Begga (French: Collégiale Sainte-Begge) is a collegiate church in Andenne, Belgium. Founded in the 7th century, the currently visible church dates from 1770 to 1775 and was designed by architect Laurent-Benoît Dewez.

History

The church traces its origins to the 7th century, when an abbey was founded in Andenne by Saint Begga.[1] By the 11th century, the abbey had been transformed into a collegiate church, which later developed into an aristocratic community centred around it. Eventually, the living quarters took on a more monastic character and had their own churches. By the 18th century, there were seven churches and corresponding communities, all surrounded by a wall.[2] The current church replaced these earlier structures and was built between 1770–1775, based on designs by the architect Laurent-Benoît Dewez.[3]

Architecture

The church is built of limestone, the floor plan consisting of a nave with two aisles, five bays long. The transept has two side chapels and ends in two apses; the choir also ends in an apse.[3] The façade is in two levels wherein, the first is decorated with Ionic pilasters and crowned by an entablature; and the second storey has Corinthian pilasters and is crowned by a pediment.[3]

References

  1. ^ Mardaga 1998, p. 20.
  2. ^ Mardaga 1998, pp. 20–22.
  3. ^ a b c Mardaga 1998, p. 22.

Sources cited

  • Le patrimoine monumental de la Belgique (in French). Vol. 5 (2 ed.). Pierre Mardaga, éditeur. 1998 [1975]. pp. 21–22. ISBN 2-87009-677-1.
  • Media related to Collégiale Sainte-Begge, Andenne at Wikimedia Commons

50°29′13″N 05°06′13″E / 50.48694°N 5.10361°E / 50.48694; 5.10361

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