Saint Martin's Basilica

Do you know the legend that the black Our Lady of Halle caught cannonballs with her cloak, causing her hands and face to turn black from the gunpowder? This legend has its origins in a historical event. Under Maximilian of Austria (1482-1493), widower of Mary of Burgundy, several rebellions broke out, including in Ghent, where the inhabitants rallied under the command of Philip of Cleves, lord of Wijnendale, Ravestein, and Edingen. When Philip of Cleves aimed to conquer Brussels, Halle could expect an attack as an ally of Maximilian. Three sieges followed one another: September 1488 (failure), May 1489 (also unsuccessful), and the attack from June 20 to 24, 1489. During this final attack, Halle was bombarded with 470 stone and/or iron cannonballs. Once again, the attack on Halle was repelled after a final attempt to take the city.

Dromos