The museum is closed
Starting in the summer ’23, the basilica tower will once again be able to claim the spotlight in the Tongeren landscape, fully restored and in top condition! For the first time in its history, the general public will have access to the tower. The climb up, along the attics in the Basilica of Our Lady and the inner rooms of the tower with the carillon is utterly unique. You have spectacular views over the Haspengouw countryside from the top.
Construction of the tower began in 1442. The city erected it to serve as a belfry. For centuries, it combined the function of both church tower and watchtower. It was an exceptional situation in the Low Countries but illustrates the connectedness of urban and religious power in Tongeren. After the devastating fire in 1677, the city could not afford to repair the tower and transferred ownership to the Sodality of Our Lady. Tongeren’s belfry was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a part of the Belfries of Belgium and France site.
Bells were the signal instrument in the medieval urban landscape. They not only marked the division of time, but also served as signals for ceremonial and church occasions or when sounding the alarm. The earliest mention of bells in Our Lady’s Church dates back to 1204.
Music-making on bells emerged in the Southern Netherlands from the 15th century onwards. These instruments provided a specific ‘couleur locale’. The first carillon played at Tongeren dates back to 1586. The carillon was destroyed twice by fires. A third carillon was added at the end of the 18th century. The current one has 49 bells. UNESCO officially recognised Belgian carillon culture as intangible cultural heritage in 2014. Carillonneurs are adapting their art to contemporary times, ensuring the growing popularity of the instrument.
After the initial ascent up the historic spiral staircase, you enter the basilica’s attics. Here, you take a short detour to the gallery 10 metres up, with a great view of the Stadhuisplein and the Grote Markt. You then make your way to the tower room. From here, you climb a new stair structure past the carillon’s bell tower to the top of the tower.
