Collégiale Saint-Hadelin

 
There are many good reasons for visiting this collegiate church. It is one of the most beautiful primitive Romanesque churches in the country. Moreover it is listed as a major heritage site in Wallonie.
One can admire its imposing mass, notably its defensive tower. Inside the building is whitewashed, with beautiful 13th century wooden choir stalls where the canons used to sit. There are two crypts dating from the 7th and 12th centuries, stone tombs, of which those of the aristocracy of the area, the de Beauforts and the de Liedekerke-Beaufort, 13th century baptismal fonts and many beautiful statues of which those of Saint Hadelin who lived here in the 7th century.
A disciple of Saint Remarcle, he Christianised the region and founded a monastery. Many miracles being attributed to the saint, the village became an important pilgrimage site and the monks built this collegiate church in the 11th century and it has been changed little since. The memory of the saint lives on in the village as it is celebrated annually on the 3rd February or on the Sunday that follows.
Finally the surroundings of the church are very pleasant: some fine village houses close by, an attractive stream, dominating the site, a building that used to be a Hermitage, opportunities for walks all justify the selection of Celles as “one of the most beautiful villages of Wallonie".

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