Church of Our Lady, Bruges

Church of Our Lady ( Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk ) is the name of a gothic church in the Belgian city of Bruges. The Church of Our Lady, whose beginnings date back to the early 13th century belongs stylistically to the earliest brick architecture in Flanders.

History

The first three-aisled nave was built 1210-1230. The two filigree stair towers on the west facade dated around 1280. A at this time already begun second phase, which lasted until 1335, emerged transept, choir and the north in an unusual manner of the nave placed powerful Tower of 1320, which has shaped the southern cityscape with 122.3 meters high. 1345 the nave, a second Northern ship was added, from 1450 to 1474 was its counterpart in the south. These two outer aisles of the now five-nave system represent together with the built in the late phase paradise portal on the tower the style of Brabant Gothic style, which goes back to northern French influences. 1480 the construction of chapels and sacristy was completed.

Equipment

In the church there are, among others, the two striking tombs of Charles the Bold and his daughter Mary of Burgundy. The tomb of the late 1482 Maria, wife of Maximilian I, was from Jan Borman Elder. Designed and 1502 by Renier van Thienen (* around 1484, † 1530 ) was cast in bronze. The figure also bronze tomb of Charles the Bold, which goes back to a design of Cornelis Floris, the sculptor Jacob Jonghelinck completed (1530-1606) in the year 1562nd

Bruges Madonna (Michelangelo, 1503)

One of the outstanding features pieces also include Bruges Madonna by Michelangelo, the 1503 emerged, one of the early sculptures of the Italian sculptor. Originally intended for the high altar of the cathedral of Siena, she sold Michelangelo at the Bruges merchants Jan and Alexander Mouscron.

Madonna in the whole altar

Organ

The organ dates back to an instrument that was 1721/1722 by organ builder C. Cacheux ( Arras ) built. 1954 was built by the organ builder Loncke in the existing historic housing a new organ, where he again related existing pipe material. The instrument has registers on three manuals and pedal. The tracker action is electro-pneumatic.

• Couplers: II / I (also known as Suboktavkoppel ), III / I, III / II (also known as Suboktavkoppel ), I / P, II / P III / P