Church of Alsemberg

The church of Alsemberg is built in late Gothic style and has all the characteristics of Brabant architecture from the 14th century. (photo: the church in the early 19th century)

Until the 14th century there was a Romanesque church here, which was replaced by the current building from the 1350s. The construction of the new church progressed very slowly.
The choir was worked on from c. 1350 to c. 1450. The vault was not completed until 1470, thanks to a gift from Duke Charles the Bold, who came here on pilgrimage on 8 February 1466. In 1503 a start was made on the tower, the lower vault of which was not completed until 1527. Around 1520 the large nave was vaulted. To this end, Charles V donated wood from ZoniÙn. Hence, his coat of arms is affixed to the vault.

Since the middle of the thirteenth century, a Romanesque statue of Mary has been venerated in Alsemberg, which is said to have been donated to the parish by Sofia, wife of Duke Henry I of Brabant.

Gillis Winderickx