Collegiate Church of Saint Begga
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/Andenne-1-2006-08-11.jpg/220px-Andenne-1-2006-08-11.jpg)
The Collegiate Church of Saint Begga (French: Collégiale Sainte-Begge) is a collegiate church in Andenne, Belgium. Founded in the 7th century, the currently visible church dates from 1770 to 1775 and was designed by architect Laurent-Benoît Dewez.
History
[edit]The church traces its origins to the 7th century, when an abbey was founded in Andenne by Saint Begga.[1] By the 11th century, the abbey was transformed into a collegiate church, eventually developing into an aristocratic community centred around the church. Eventually, the living quarters became more monastic in character and had their churches; by the 18th century, there were seven churches and corresponding communities, surrounded by a wall.[2] The current church replaced these structures and was built 1770–1775 to designs by architect Laurent-Benoît Dewez.[3]
Architecture
[edit]The church is built of limestone, the floor plan consisting of a nave with two aisles, five bays long. The transept has two side chapels and ends in two apses; the choir also ends in an apse.[3] The façade is in two levels. The first is decorated with Ionic pilasters and crowned by an entablature; the second storey has Corinthian pilasters and is crowned by a pediment.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Mardaga 1998, p. 20.
- ^ Mardaga 1998, pp. 20–22.
- ^ a b c Mardaga 1998, p. 22.
Sources cited
[edit]- Le patrimoine monumental de la Belgique (in French). Vol. 5 (2 ed.). Pierre Mardaga, éditeur. 1998 [1975]. pp. 21–22. ISBN 2-87009-677-1.
External links
[edit]Media related to Collégiale Sainte-Begge, Andenne at Wikimedia Commons