Collegiate Church of Saint Begga explained

The Collegiate Church of Saint Begga (French: Collégiale Sainte-Begge) is a collegiate church in Andenne, Belgium. Founded in the 7th century, the currently visible church dates from 1770 to 1775 and was designed by architect Laurent-Benoît Dewez.

History

The church traces its origins to the 7th century, when an abbey was founded in Andenne by Saint Begga. By the 11th century, the abbey was transformed into a collegiate church, eventually developing into an aristocratic community centred around the church. Eventually, the living quarters became more monastic in character and had their churches; by the 18th century, there were seven churches and corresponding communities, surrounded by a wall. The current church replaced these structures and was built 1770–1775 to designs by architect Laurent-Benoît Dewez.

Architecture

The church is built of limestone, the floor plan consisting of a nave with two aisles, five bays long. The transept has two side chapels and ends in two apses; the choir also ends in an apse. The façade is in two levels. The first is decorated with Ionic pilasters and crowned by an entablature; the second storey has Corinthian pilasters and is crowned by a pediment.

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