Heritage

Poperinge is known for being the centre of Belgian hop producing culture. Every three years, during the third weekend in September, festivals of hops are held. But the former splendour of Poperinge remains eternal thanks to its three monumental churches. The church of Notre-Dame is one of them.
This church of the covered market type, on the road coming from Cassel, was built between 1290 and 1490 to respond to the expansion of the city.
The plans of the church are based on the church of Saint Bertin, the principal church in the centre of the city.
The church of Notre-Dame is flanked by a high tower with a stone spire, 70m tall. It is embellished with a portal with a few Renaissance motifs and with diagonal ribbed windows.
The interior ornamentation is primarily in the Rococo style: a communion rail with remarkable sculptures of wood, a beautiful set of choir stalls. The church has 52 statues from the 17th through the 19th century.
Among the paintings, one can admire a ‘Holy Trinity’ by Gérard Seghers (1600-1625). From the same period one can cite different religious paintings by Jan van Ieper.

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