Saint Michael's Church, Ghent
Saint Michael's Church (
style. It is known for its rich interior decoration.History
Documents from 1105 testify to the existence on the site of a chapel dedicated to
Construction of the current late Gothic church was probably commenced in 1440, and took place in two phases, separated by a long interval. During the first phase, in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the western part of the building was built, including the tower, the three-aisled nave and transept. This was completed in 1528. The construction of the western tower continued and by 1566 two levels of the tower were completed. Then, due to religious conflicts, not only did construction stop, but looting and destruction took place. Part of the church was destroyed in 1578 by
Reconstruction of the church only started in 1623. The early Gothic choir was replaced by a choir in
The sacristy in the north-east was constructed in Baroque style in 1650–1651.[2]
Description
The exterior of the sober late Gothic church is entirely constructed with sandstone from Brussels and Ledian sandstone. The church has a rich
The church contains many Baroque paintings, including Christ Dying on the Cross by
There are confessionals from various style periods including a Baroque confessional from the early 17th century by François Cruyt with statues sculpted by Michiel van der Voort the Elder.[2]
Organ
The organ dates back to an instrument that was built in 1817 by the organ builder De Volder. The style of the front is fully made in gothic revival. In 1951 the instrument was remodeled and expanded by the organ builder Anneessens. The organ has 47 stops on three manuals and a pedal.[3]
Church Treasure
There are numerous silver and gold artifacts in the silver collection. An important item is the relic of St Dorothea, in silver. Very famous is the relic of the sacred "Doorn" brought to the church by Mary, Queen of Scots, and a relic of the true Cross a gift of the Archduke Albrecht and Isabella in 1619.
References
- ^ a b De Sint-Michielskerk Archived 2014-03-30 at the Wayback Machine on the site of the city of Ghent (in Dutch)
- ^ a b c d De Inventaris van het Bouwkundig Erfgoed Parochiekerk Sint-Michielskerk (ID: 25841) (in Dutch)
- ^ Gent, St. Michielskerk on orgelsite.nl (in Dutch)
External links
- Media related to Saint Michael's Church, Ghent at Wikimedia Commons