Worldwide

Lier - St. Gummaruskerk

City: Lier is a city in the province of Antwerp. The city lies at the merging point of the Grote Nete River and the Kleine Nete River. The history of Lier goes back a long way. Gummarus played a major role in the foundation of the city. Gummarus was born in Emblem in the 7th or 8th century. He served at the Court of Pepin the Short (the father of Charlemagne). He allegedly built a chapel here in 764 and a settlement began to built around the chapel. This settlement grew into the city of Lier. Today there are 33,924 inhabitants here (2010).

Building: St. Gummaruskerk "The collegiastic church Saint-Gummarus is one of the greatest examples of High Gothic architecture. In spite of the fact that it was built over an extensive period of time (1378-1569 / 1624-1625) the church shows a unity of style, thanks to the designers..." - these words are written on a plate. The church tower has a height of 78 meters. After two fires, in 1754 it came to look as it does today. The locals call the tower 'the pepper-pot'.

Object: In the monumental Church are many art treasures, including a painting of Mathias Berckmans: "Fall of the rebel Angels" (1643). In this painting is God's name written.

 

Band of images

Click on the photo

 

 

- top -