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Saint Bavo's Cathedral, Ghent

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Not to be confused withCathedral of St Bavo, Haarlem.

Saint Bavo's Cathedral,also known asSint-Baafs Cathedral(Dutch:Sint Baafskathedraal), is aRoman CatholiccathedralinGhent,Belgium. The 89-metre-tall (292 ft)Gothicbuilding is the seat of theDiocese of Ghentand is named forSaint Bavo of Ghent.It contains the well-knownGhent Altarpiece,also called theAdoration of the Mystic Lamb.

Saint Bavo's Cathedral
Sint Baafskathedraal(Dutch)
West façade
Map
51°03′11″N3°43′37″E/ 51.0530°N 3.727°E/51.0530; 3.727
LocationGhent
CountryBelgium
DenominationRoman Catholic
Websitesintbaafskathedraal.be
Architecture
StyleGothic
Years built13th–16th centuries
Groundbreakingc. 1274
Specifications
Spire height89 metres (292 ft)
Bells7
Administration
DioceseGhent
ParishSaint John the Baptist
Clergy
Bishop(s)Lode Van Hecke

History

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Cathedral from the Maaseikplein

The cathedral stands on the site of the former Chapel of St. John the Baptist, which was primarily of wooden construction and was consecrated in 942 by Transmarus,Bishop of Tournai and Noyon.Traces of a laterRomanesquestructure can be found in the cathedral's crypt.[1]Construction of theGothicchurch began around 1274.

In the subsequent period from the 14th through 16th centuries, nearly continuous expansion projects in the Gothic style were executed on the structure. A newchoir,radiating chapels,expansions of thetransepts,achapter house,naveaisles and a single-tower western section were all added.

In 1539, as a result of the rebellion againstCharles V,who was baptized in the church, the old Abbey of St. Bavo was dissolved. Its abbot and monks went on to become canons in a chapter that was attached to what then became the Church of St. Bavo. When theDiocese of Ghentwas founded in 1559, the church became itscathedral.Construction was considered complete on 7 June 1569.

In the summer of 1566, bands ofCalvinisticonoclastsvisited Catholic churches in the Netherlands, including St. Bavo, shattering stained-glass windows, smashing statues, and destroying paintings and other artworks they perceived as idolatrous.[2]However, the altarpiece by the Van Eycks was saved.

Interior

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Ghent Altarpiece

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TheGhent Altarpiece,a 15th-century painting byHubertandJan van Eyck

The cathedral is noted for theGhent Altarpiece,originally in the Joost Vijd Chapel. It is formally known as theAdoration of the Mystic Lambafter its lower centre panel byHubertandJan van Eyck.This work is considered Van Eyck's masterpiece and one of the most important works of the earlyNorthern Renaissance,as well as one of the greatest artistic masterpieces of Belgium.[3]Part of the painting, the lowermost left panel known asThe Just Judges,was stolen in 1934 and has not been recovered. It has since been replaced with a facsimile byJef Van der Veken.

Other religious art

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The cathedral is home to the works of other artists of note. It holds the paintingSaint Bavo enters the Convent at GhentbyPeter Paul Rubens.There are also works by or afterLucas de Heere,one of which is aView of Gent.Frans Pourbus the Elderpainted 14 panels representing theHistory of Saint Andrew(1572) and aTriptych ofViglius Aytta(1571).Caspar de Crayeris represented by paintings ofSt Macarius of Gent,The Beheading of Saint John the BaptistandThe Martyrdom of Saint Barbara.The church also holds works byAntoon van den Heuvelincluding theChrist and the Adulterous Womanand theResurrection of Christ.There are also works byLucas van UdenandJan van Cleef.[4]

Local Ghent painterPetrus Norbertus van Reysschootpainted a series of elevengrisailles,which decorate the choir of the cathedral, above the stalls. Five of these panels represent scenes from the Old Testament while the other six episodes from the New Testament. These paintings were placed in the cathedral between 1789 and 1791.[5]

Organs

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The great organ built in 1935 byKlaisis the biggest of theLow Countries

The cathedral has four organs for use at liturgical celebrations.[6]Most famous is the main organ in the upper church, the biggest organ in theLow Countries.In 1935, Mgr Coppieters commanded that the Klais organ from the world exhibition would be put inside the cathedral. The organ case dates from the 18th century and the complete organ has more than 6,000 pipes inside. It has five manuals.[7]

Choir

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The most impressive part is the high choir with stalls for the members of the Chapter of Saint-Bavon. The episcopal throne is located on the right side with the episcopal arms visible. Highlights of the interior decoration of the choir include theBaroquehigh altar (1702–1782), in white, black, and red flamed marble, and the tomb monuments of Ghent bishops, including that of Antonius Triest, in white and black marble (1652–1654), a major work ofJerôme Duquesnoy (II).On the right side is the gallery with painted crests of the members of theOrder of the Golden Fleece.

In the choir is the 1559 paintingThe Queen of Sheba visits King Solomonby the Flemish artistLucas de Heere.This allegorical work depictsKing SolomonasPhilip II of Spain,recognizable by his facial features, receiving gifts from theQueen of Sheba,an allegory of theLow Countries,representing that country donating its riches to the Spanish king in thanks for his prudent government.

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Pulpit by Laurent Delvaux

In the nave there is an impressiveRococopulpit (1741–1745), made in oak, gilded wood and white and black marble byLaurent Delvaux,withwrought-ironrailingsby J. Arens. There are also chairs designed by the contemporary designer Maarten Van Severen. The main altar is placed between the nave and the choir.

Treasury and crypt

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In the Chapel of the Holiest, an importantCalvaryTriptychis on display. This 15th-century work is attributed toJustus van Gent.Finally, there is a valuable collection of important liturgical plates, reliquaries, and liturgical vessels dating from the 15th century onward. Among the important reliquaries are the head of Saint John the Baptist and of Saint Macarius. The important collection of hand-embroidered and brocaded liturgical ornaments is widely known as one of the most important of the country, some of which are put on display.

Chapter of Saint-Bavo

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Still today the chapter is housed inside the cathedral, since its foundation. Members have been important prelates and members of noble houses. TodayJozef De Keselis one of the honorary canons. The chapters of Haarlem and Ghent are united in friendship. Weekly the canons sing Mass with the bishop.

Burials

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See also

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References

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  1. ^"Building History | Sint-Baafskathedraal Gent".sintbaafskathedraal.be.Retrieved2020-05-24.
  2. ^Kleiner, Fred S. (1 January 2010).Gardner's Art through the Ages: A Concise History of Western Art.Cengage Learning. p. 254.ISBN9781424069224.
  3. ^Kurtz, Michael J. (2006).America and the return of Nazi contraband.Cambridge University Press. p. 24.
  4. ^De Inventaris van het Bouwkundig Erfgoed, Sint-Baafskathedraal (ID: 25743)at Inventaris onroerend erfgoed(in Dutch)
  5. ^Victor van der Haeghen,Reysschoot, Pierre-Norbert Vanin: Biographie nationale de Belgique, Volume 19, p. 235-238(in French)
  6. ^"Organs | Sint-Baafskathedraal Gent".sintbaafskathedraal.be.Retrieved2020-05-24.
  7. ^"Gent Sint-Baafskathedraal".www.andriessenorgelbouw.be.Retrieved2020-05-24.
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