Église collégiale Saint-Ursmer, Romanesque church in Binche, Belgium.
The Église collégiale Saint-Ursmer is a church building with a Romanesque western facade and a Gothic choir from the 16th century. The interior shows the blend of these two architectural styles in its structures and decorative elements.
The church underwent transformation in 1409 when the Lobbes collegiate chapter moved to Binche along with the relics of Saint Ursmer. It was later destroyed by French forces and received its distinctive bulbous bell tower during reconstruction in 1554.
The church holds precious reliquaries that have drawn pilgrims and the faithful for centuries. These treasures remain visible to visitors today and tell the story of the site's spiritual importance.
The church is located in Binche at Rue Haute 5 and features a magnetic loop system for visitors with hearing impairments. Visitors should check if there are specific viewing times, as this is an active place of worship.
The distinctive bulbous dome emerged after a French military attack and has been a landmark feature since 1554. Many visitors do not realize that this unusual shape came from destruction rather than the original design.
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