World Heritage Photos

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai – Where Romanesque and Early Gothic Meet

The Notre-Dame Cathedral (Cathedral of Our Lady) in Tournai was mainly constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries. The cathedral was built in the Romanesque style, but also features Gothic elements. At the beginning of the 12th century, there was an exchange of influence between the architecture of Île-de-France, the Rhineland, and Normandy.

The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai is one of the most characteristic examples from this period. The five towers at the intersection of the transept, the central part of the cathedral, are characteristic of the considerable influence of the Tournai Cathedral on cathedrals in northern France and on medieval churches in the Flemish part of Belgium. The Romanesque choir was replaced by a Gothic choir between 1243 and 1255, inspired by the choir of Amiens Cathedral. The nave and transept house the largest collection of sculptures and Romanesque wall paintings in Belgium.

The Notre-Dame Cathedral is a historic pilgrimage church located along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. The cathedral was severely damaged by a tornado in 1999. During our visit, the building was covered in scaffolding, both on the exterior and interior. The restoration work began in 2006, which was a major project lasting some twenty years. At the time, taking photos was almost impossible due to the scaffolding and hoardings. The cathedral requires constant maintenance, and regular restoration projects remain necessary. The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. 

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   The five towers of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai dominate the skyline of the city. To the right, the 'Fausse Porte' (False Door) with the Chapel of St. Vincent above it. The gateway offers a striking contrast between the lively town square and the serene atmosphere surrounding the base of the cathedral's monumental towers. At the beginning of the 12th century, preceding the evolution of the Gothic period, there was an exchange of influence between the architecture of Île-de-France, the Rhineland and Normandy. The cathedral in Tournai is one of the characteristic examples from this period. This impressive monument was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000.

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   The Cathedral of Our Lady in Tournai was severely damaged by a tornado in 1999. Serious stability issues were identified during the subsequent archaeological investigation and damage assessment. The Brunin Tower was particularly at risk, as it was leaning by 80 centimetres and had subsided significantly. Consequently, the cathedral was shored up both internally and externally. Since the start of the large-scale restoration in 2006, the structure has frequently been covered in scaffolding, yet this architectural masterpiece remains open to visitors. 

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   The stained-glass rose window above the west portal of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai (Cathedral of Our Lady). In the center of the rose window, the Virgin Mary is depicted with the infant Jesus, surrounded by compartments containing prophets and their religious symbols. The interior of the cathedral is adorned with sculptures, several Romanesque wall paintings, a Renaissance pulpit and paintings by Rubens. The treasury of the cathedral houses a collection of religious relics, such as one of the Seven Wonders of Belgium: the gold-plated silver reliquary chest of Our Lady, 'La Châsse de Notre-Dame'. This masterpiece of goldsmithing dates from 1205.

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   In the Cathedral of Our Lady in Tournai stands a lavishly decorated wooden pulpit, which was completed in 1740. The High Baroque wood carvings depict the three divine virtues, also known as the theological virtues: faith, hope and love (charity). The sounding board above and behind the pulpit is surrounded by wooden sculptures of angels playing trumpets; they represent the heralds of the divine word and important Christian events.

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   The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai was largely built in the 12th and 13th centuries. The columns and capitals are carved entirely from Tournai blue-grey limestone, which was quarried just outside the city. The capitals feature various decorations. The five towers at the intersection of the transept, the central part of the building, are characteristic of the great influence of this imposing construction on cathedrals in Northern France, the Rhineland in Germany and on a number of medieval churches in the Flemish part of Belgium.

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   The-14th century west portal of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai is adorned with three rows of sculptures; they were later added to the main façade of the Romanesque nave. One of the most striking images is that of Saint Piat of Tournai, a third-century missionary. He preached in the regions around Tournai and Chartres, among others. Saint Eleutherius, the first Bishop of Tournai, is also depicted here. The cathedral is a pilgrimage destination and is located along the Route of Santiago de Compostela. 

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   The Cathedral of Our Lady in Tournai showcases a remarkable transition between two major architectural styles. This unique architectural contrast is clearly visible from an almost hidden courtyard. The impressive Romanesque transept dates back to the 12th century and features characteristic rounded arches, while the tall pointed-arch window in the foreground reflects the later Gothic expansion of the 13th century. The majestic structure was built using local blue-grey limestone, also known as Tournai stone, which gives the cathedral its distinctive appearance. This striking landmark is one of the most important architectural monuments in Belgium.