Collegiate Church of Saint Gertrude
Collegiate Church of Saint Gertrude
Collegiate Church of Saint Gertrude
4.5
Architectural Buildings • Churches & Cathedrals
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9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
78 within 3 miles
Attractions
16 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
150 reviews
Excellent
86
Very good
54
Average
7
Poor
3
Terrible
0
SnowyShasta
Portland, OR1,748 contributions
Apr 2022
We enjoyed a visit to the church while staying in Nivelles. We arrived right as a wedding was ending, so we enjoyed watching the bride and groom exit from a distance before walking around the outside and then entering the church. It is very old and quite impressive; apparently it has been mostly rebuilt after damage during the world wars, but it still looks old and was redone in the original style. There was no fee for entering, and we spent about 20 minutes enjoying the views of the inside. It's not as impressive as some cathedrals we've seen, but still worth the stop and the enjoyable location in the heart of Nivelles.
Written June 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Trainbleu
Brussels, Belgium28,545 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
Having seen a picture of the Romanesque Saint Gertrude Collegiate Church in a book on Belgium’s architectural heritage, we were eager to visit it. We were told at the tourist office there was a guided tour every day at 2 p.m. but, on a weekday in October, we waited in vain for a guide both inside and outside the building. In the end, we looked around by ourselves with detailed leaflets we picked up on-site. Walking around Saint Gertrude, we were impressed by the sheer size of it, but mostly by the fortress-like westwork with its large apse, two round corner turrets and larger octagonal tower in the middle. The upper part would look forbidding were it not for the three rows of elegant small windows separated by one or two columns. We weren’t aware of the fact that the church had been seriously damaged by a bombardment in 1940 and that its present form is in fact a reconstruction of the original Romanesque structure. There were times when Saint Gertrude had a gothic spire, which collapsed in 1940, and gargoyles and a baroque portal, which were removed and relocated in Dodaine Park, where we of course went to see them.
Inside, the Romanesque structure has also been restored and it is truly amazing, but we were rather disappointed to find a large exhibition of religious art from various periods but no medieval art: Renaissance oak stalls from the 16th century, funerary monuments from the 16th and the 17th century, paintings from the 16th to the18 th century and several works by sculptor Laurent Delvaux (who died in Nivelles in 1778), which weren’t our cup of tea.
As we weren’t accompanied by a guide, we were unable to visit the archaeological basement, the crypt, Saint Gertrud’ chapel and the imperial room. The cloister was closed also but, as one of us was taking pictures through an iron gate at the back of the church, two friendly city wardens told us the cloister was accessible via the main entrance of the nearby city hall. A staff member showed us the way. Although only part of the cloister retains its 13th century form- the rest being a19 th century reconstruction - it is worth a peek. There are nice views on the church, especially in combination with the rescued clocks of the old gothic tower resting on the grass.
Inside, the Romanesque structure has also been restored and it is truly amazing, but we were rather disappointed to find a large exhibition of religious art from various periods but no medieval art: Renaissance oak stalls from the 16th century, funerary monuments from the 16th and the 17th century, paintings from the 16th to the18 th century and several works by sculptor Laurent Delvaux (who died in Nivelles in 1778), which weren’t our cup of tea.
As we weren’t accompanied by a guide, we were unable to visit the archaeological basement, the crypt, Saint Gertrud’ chapel and the imperial room. The cloister was closed also but, as one of us was taking pictures through an iron gate at the back of the church, two friendly city wardens told us the cloister was accessible via the main entrance of the nearby city hall. A staff member showed us the way. Although only part of the cloister retains its 13th century form- the rest being a19 th century reconstruction - it is worth a peek. There are nice views on the church, especially in combination with the rescued clocks of the old gothic tower resting on the grass.
Written October 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Globetrotter045
Haacht, Belgium5,458 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
This church is not so well known, but really worth a visit. When I arrived at the Grand’ Place of Nivelles, my first impression was “Wow, what a very imposing church !” The church is a mixture of styles, but somehow the overall effect is harmonious. The gothic spire of the church was destroyed by bombing in WWII and was replaced by an octagonal Romanesque tower. That makes the west side even more striking.
The different architectural styles are also reflected inside : bare Romanesque walls, artworks from different centuries and modern stained glass windows.
You can visit the church every day individually , but there are also guided visits at 14:00. With a guide you visit extra rooms, like the crypt and the imperial hall.
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The different architectural styles are also reflected inside : bare Romanesque walls, artworks from different centuries and modern stained glass windows.
You can visit the church every day individually , but there are also guided visits at 14:00. With a guide you visit extra rooms, like the crypt and the imperial hall.
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Written August 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Elwing
Antwerp, Belgium239 contributions
Feb 2016 • Solo
I was really looking forward to visiting this impressive Romanesque church, but I walked around it and could not find any way in. Maybe it is just closed on Tuesdays, there were signs but I could not read them as they were only in French. I tried to ask for help at the city hall, which is attached to the building, but I could not find any person who was willing to speak to me or even look at me. So I peeked trough the windows and caught a few glimpses of what looked like a wonderful old cloister.
And then I left Nivelles disappointed, musing about the pettiness of the Belgian language struggle. Tourist go home!
And then I left Nivelles disappointed, musing about the pettiness of the Belgian language struggle. Tourist go home!
Written February 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Werner H
Nivelles, Belgium41 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
This is a very old church, it was linked to a monastery of saint Gertrude. After world war 2 the church was heavily damaged. Inside the church you can see the previous church.
The new church is better in mho.
The so called crypt is the original roman church...
The new church is better in mho.
The so called crypt is the original roman church...
Written January 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Keith P
Southwest Finland, Finland385 contributions
Mar 2016
The Church of St. Gertrude has been totally renovated in recent years and is the obvious focal point of Nivelles. The front octagonal tower now supports a much shorter spire than the original - models of both can be seen inside. Entry is free and the clean and tidy interior provides a quiet and peaceful respite for the visitor. If one looks closely some of the original brickwork is visible and it is a credit to the craftsmen who have reestablished this most significant monument, that they have blended colours and materials so well.
Written May 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jean-Claude D
Brussels, Belgium93 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
You have to like history and romanesque architecture (before gothic). You have to prepare your visit on Internet and take a guide in a language you understand. Check opening hours. The place is relatively cold so best time is between April and September.
And then you can enjoy one of the largest remaining romanesque chuches with a lot of different levels and spaces.
And then you can enjoy one of the largest remaining romanesque chuches with a lot of different levels and spaces.
Written March 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sophie V
19 contributions
Feb 2016 • Family
Nice building on a nice place... Well conservated and interesting stories. Do not miss the tour Sainte Gertrude...a walk around the city such as Sainte Gertrude did in the past.Nice day to assist a cultural event well popular in Nivelles
Written February 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Paul C
Lancaster, UK28 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
A highly unusual church with two chancels dating from the 6th century and beginning with the original Abbess Ste Gertrude herself. The encompassing history includes direct links to the Emperor Charlemagne (his first wife is buried here as is one of their children) right through the Middle Ages and to the destruction of the church in 1940 by the Nazi German invaders and its subsequent reconstruction. An enormous sweep of modern European history and the way religious and political life were intertwined. All of this remarkably well presented to us by a french-speaking guide who was completely relaxed presenting the astounding achievements as well as the obviously apparent contradictions between religious piousness and political and noble advantage.
Written February 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stuart W
Belgium64 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
There may not be so many things to see in Nivelles, but it's central plaza, in the center of which stands the old collegiate church is a nice stroll out place, with cafes and restaurants. The church itself is a rare beautifully preserved example of romanesque big architecture. A must see if passing in Nivelles. When it is open...
Written October 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
indytoths
Indianapolis, IN
Yes - but I'm interested in making a brass rubbing of Marguerite de Scornay being presented to the Virgin Mary and child as my parents did 50 years ago. Is this possible?
giulietta429
Brussels, Belgium1,910 contributions
Hi - do you need to book in advance? Does the church have a website to do so (if necessary)? Are there any special events to try to come for?
Caterina L
Keedysville, MD
Is there a gift shop there that will let me purchase a statue of the sainte and ship it to the US?
Collegiate Church of Saint Gertrude, Nivelles
Frequently Asked Questions about Collegiate Church of Saint Gertrude
- Collegiate Church of Saint Gertrude is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Collegiate Church of Saint Gertrude:
- (0.20 mi) Meuble a Nivelles
- (0.29 mi) Nadia B&B
- (0.06 mi) HDC Nivelles Grand-Place
- (0.89 mi) Van der Valk Hotel Nivelles-Sud
- (0.45 mi) Le Mont Saint Roch
- Restaurants near Collegiate Church of Saint Gertrude:
- (0.00 mi) Taverne L' Union
- (0.01 mi) Thai Café
- (0.01 mi) Les Arcades
- (0.01 mi) Christensen Tavern
- (0.02 mi) Brasserie Le Smash