Saint Martin Church

The St. Martin's Church was built on the orders of Prince-Bishop Jean-Louis d'Elderen (1688-1694), to whom the mausoleum in the choir is dedicated. It was heavily 'restored' and enlarged in 1870. Only the current choir dates from the 17th century, which can be seen from the keystone in the vault. This bears the coat of arms of the counts of Elderen (c. 1673).

In 2011, the final phase of the restoration work was completed.

The church is known for a beautiful diptych (two-panel) of decorated ivory plates from the eighth century, presumably made in the Palatine School of Charlemagne in Aachen. They may have served as decoration for a book. One panel depicts a triumphant Jesus trampling four demonic creatures. The other plate shows two scenes: the announcement of the angel Gabriel to Mary (at the top) and the visit of the pregnant Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, who is at that moment pregnant with John the Baptist (at the bottom). In 1860, the pastor sold the plates - with the permission of the diocese - for 60 francs to the Royal Museums of Art and History in Brussels.

Stichting Open Kerken