Susteren Abbey

The Abbey Susteren in the area between Sittard and Roermond in today's Dutch province of Limburg Susteren place was founded in the 8th century. Of the Abteigebäudlichkeiten the Basilica is only preserved.

History of the abbey

The lotharingische King Zwentibold, sponsors of the monastery and father or brother of the abbess Benedicta and Cecilia, was a late tradition, according to bury 900 in Pen Susteren. The hl. Wastrada († mid- 8th century ) and St.. Gregor ( † about 775/777 ) of Pfalzel -Utrecht, first companion of St. Boniface in his missions in Friesland, later abbot of Utrecht, also found in the Abbey Susteren their final resting place.

Pope Benedict XVI. elevated the church in 2007 for minor Basilica.

Abbey Church

The abbey church still preserved today, the St. Amalbergabasilika, was built in the 11th century. Built on a cross-shaped floor plan three-aisled basilica is covered with a flat wooden ceiling, vaulted are only the western facade and the nave final, not the nave height reached semi-circular apse. The aisles have just statements. The arcades between the middle and side aisles have alternating rectangular pillars and pillars with capitals in the manner of the Corinthian style. At the chorus joins in the east an external, ie not located under the actual church, crypt at. The vaulted ceiling of the crypt are supported by square pillars.

The by between 1885-1890 under the direction of architect Pierre Cuypers and Lambert made ​​of Fisenne restoration work heavily modified Collegiate Church is clearly influenced by the Ottonian church of the pen food. An eye-catching, the capitalization during the repair remodeling is the change in the original West work towards a twin-tower facade. The Amelbergabasilika originally had a single massive western tower, which was flanked left and right by two lower and narrower stair towers on a square plan.

From the interior of the church is noteworthy originating from the period around 1200 baptismal font among others. Furthermore, located in the triumphal arch for a Kalverienberg with sculptures of the Virgin Mary and Saint John from the 14th century.