Just within a short walk from the train station or
the Grand Place, you will find the most important building in Mons, Saint Waltrude's Collegiate Church (La collégiale Sainte-Waudru)
dedicated to Sainte-Waudru
Brabant, the patroness of Mons.
During
the seventh century, Lady Waudru settled in, on the hill which became Mons. A
small community gave birth to a chapter of canonesses. To pay tribute to the founder, the chapter erected in 1449 a sumptuous church.
Along with the nearby Belfry it is considered as a major
symbol of Mons and ranked as major Walloon
heritage.
It’s one of the most characteristic churches and
most homogeneous of Brabant Gothic architecture, although located in the heart
of the ancient county of Hainaut.
Made from
sandstone, bluestone and brick, it is 115 meters long, 32 meters wide
and rises to 24.5 meters at the keystone. The choir is surrounded by an
ambulatory and 15 chapels. It also has an exceptional collection of ancient
stained glass, dating from the sixteenth century. This set is the most
comprehensive in Belgium.
The old windows were maintained, repaired and
restored over the centuries. A major restoration campaign was conducted from
1838 to 1891. During World War II, they were stored and repaired before rests
in 1947.
The shrine of Sainte-Waudru is set above the altar.
It is gilt brass and adorned with precious stones dated from 1887. It comes in the form of a church with holy Waudru and daughters on the one hand and St. Vincent and his
son, on the other, each accompanied by six apostles, are along both sides.
The current shrine replaces a much older, dating
from 1313 in gilded copper and silver, which was unfortunately destroyed in
1794 during the second invasion of Mons by the French revolutionaries.
The shrine contains the remains of current Waudru,
except the head, separated from the other relics in 1250, and placed in a
shrine named "Head of Sainte Waudru" dates from 1867 and is
neo-Gothic decorated with colorful stones and
cabochons, and comes in the form of an ornate canopy sheltering the crowned
head of the saint.
Le Car d'Or (The Golden Coach) is a chariot
procession of carved wood, painted and gilded. Built between 1779 and 1782 in
Louis XVI style, it is the only processional chariot of that time is still
used. Usually stored in the north aisle.
Every year, in the Ducasse de Mons during the Trinity
Sunday the shrine is placed on the Car d'Or with a priest, twelve
choirboys and drawn by six horses through the street of
Mons. It is one of the most beautiful procession in the country.
It's always nice to admire the exterior, especially from across the
main entrance there’s a beautiful garden to sit and relax.
In spring, colorful tulips filled the garden, and the pink cherry blossoms make the church even more lovely.
The church is open all year round 9 am to 6.30 pm (or 7 am to 6.30 pm on Sundays)
Free entry (entrance through the south portal)
No access to the choir during services
The Treasury is open from March to November (Tuesday to Friday from 1.30 pm to 6 pm/ Saturday and Sunday from 1.30 pm to 5 pm)
Guided visits for groups (at least 10 person) all year round by reservation