Cathedral of the Holy Saviour and St Donat
St. Salvator's Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Saviour and St. Donat, is the Roman Catholic cathedral of Bruges, Belgium. It stands as one of the few buildings in the city to have survived centuries of change largely undamaged, though it has undergone significant renovations and additions, notably its imposing neo-Romanesque tower.
Key Facts
- ›Originally a parish church since the 10th century, it gained cathedral status in 1834 after the destruction of the city's original cathedral, St. Donatian's.
- ›The current church's construction began in 1250 and lasted for approximately a century.
- ›The cathedral houses notable furnishings and artworks, including Brussels-made wall-carpets commissioned for the destroyed St. Donatian's Cathedral.
- ›The fortress-like west tower, designed by Robert Chantrell, stands 99 meters high and is a prominent feature of the Bruges skyline.
- ›Its organ, originally built by Jacobus Van Eynde, has been expanded and rebuilt multiple times and is used for services and concerts.
Romanesque, Neo-Romanesque
Saviour, Saint Donatius of Reims
Robert Chantrell
About Cathedral of the Holy Saviour and St Donat
St. Salvator's Cathedral, Bruges
St. Salvator's Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Saviour and St. Donat, serves as the Roman Catholic cathedral for the city of Bruges, Belgium. It is dedicated to the 'risen saviour' (Verrezen Zaligmaker) and Saint Donatius of Reims. Among the few structures in Bruges that have withstood the ravages of time with minimal damage, St. Salvator's has nevertheless undergone significant alterations and renovations throughout its history.
History and Development
For centuries, St. Salvator's functioned as a common parish church, with its origins tracing back to the 10th century. The city's primary religious edifice was originally the Sint-Donaaskathedraal (St. Donatian's Cathedral), situated centrally in Bruges. A devastating fire in 1116 led to the construction of a new, larger church in the Romanesque style, commencing in 1127. The foundation for the present church was laid in 1250, with construction continuing for approximately one hundred years. The 18th century brought dramatic change when French occupiers expelled the bishop and demolished St. Donatian's Cathedral. Following Belgium's independence in 1830, a new bishop was appointed to Bruges in 1834, and St. Salvator's Church was officially granted cathedral status. However, its appearance then was less imposing than that of the nearby Church of Our Lady, prompting efforts to enhance its stature, including the construction of a taller tower.
Architectural Features and Restoration
A fire in 1839 caused the cathedral's roof to collapse, necessitating extensive restoration. English architect Robert Chantrell, known for his neo-Gothic work, was commissioned to restore St. Salvator's. He was also tasked with designing a new, taller tower to surpass that of the Church of Our Lady. The base of this imposing tower incorporates the oldest surviving section, dating from the 12th century. Chantrell's design for the tower was a distinctive personal Romanesque interpretation rather than a neo-Gothic addition. Despite initial criticism and modifications by the Royal Commission for Monuments, the fortress-like neo-Romanesque west tower now stands 99 meters tall.
Interior and Artistic Heritage
The interior of St. Salvator's Cathedral measures 101 meters in length and features several noteworthy furnishings. Crucially, it now houses many valuable works of art that were originally in the destroyed Sint-Donaaskathedraal. Among these are Brussels-manufactured wall-carpets from 1731, commissioned by Bishop Hendrik van Susteren for the former cathedral, alongside the original paintings that served as their models.
Musical Tradition
The cathedral boasts a significant organ, originally built by Jacobus Van Eynde between 1717 and 1719. This instrument has undergone several expansions and rebuilds in the 20th century, including work by L. B. Hooghuys in 1902, Klais Orgelbau in 1935, and Frans Loncke & zonen in 1988. The organ comprises 60 stops across three manuals and a pedal and is actively used in services and the Kathedraalconcerten concert series, founded in 1952. The current organist is Ignace Michiels.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history of St. Salvator's Cathedral?
St. Salvator's began as a parish church in the 10th century and was rebuilt in Romanesque style in the early 12th century. The present church construction started around 1250. It was elevated to cathedral status in 1834, after the French destroyed the original St. Donatian's Cathedral.
What architectural styles are present in St. Salvator's Cathedral?
While the main construction of the present church began in 1250, suggesting a Gothic influence, the prominent west tower features a personal Romanesque design by Robert Chantrell. The tower is described as fortress-like and neo-Romanesque.
What notable art or relics are housed in St. Salvator's Cathedral?
The cathedral interior contains noteworthy furnishings, including Brussels-made wall-carpets from 1731 that were originally commissioned for the destroyed St. Donatian's Cathedral. It also holds the original paintings that served as models for these tapestries.
When was St. Salvator's Cathedral designated as a cathedral?
St. Salvator's Church obtained the status of cathedral in 1834, shortly after Belgium's independence in 1830 and the installation of a new bishop in Bruges.
What is the significance of the cathedral's tower?
The fortress-like neo-Romanesque west tower, standing 99 meters high, was a project commissioned to make the cathedral taller than the nearby Church of Our Lady. It was designed by Robert Chantrell, although the Royal Commission for Monuments later added a small peak to the tower.
Related Basilicas
Basilica of the Holy Blood
The Basilica of the Holy Blood is a Roman Catholic basilica in Bruges, Belgium, renowned for housing a relic of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. According to tradition, the relic was brought from the Holy Land by Thierry of Alsace, Count of Flanders, in the 12th century. The basilica comprises two chapels: a Romanesque lower chapel dedicated to St. Basil and an upper chapel housing the relic, which has undergone Gothic and Gothic Revival renovations.
Benedictine Abbatial Basilica of St Andrew, Zevenkerken
The Benedictine Abbatial Basilica of St Andrew, Zevenkerken, also known as Sint-Andriesabdij van Zevenkerken, is a modern Benedictine abbey founded in 1899-1900. It succeeded the older St. Andrew's Abbey, Bruges, which was destroyed during the French Revolution. The abbey church is notable for its seven chapels, each dedicated to one of the seven great basilicas of Rome, inspiring its name "Zevenkerken" or "Seven Churches."
Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk
The Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk, located in Mechelen, Belgium, is a significant Roman Catholic basilica and a renowned pilgrimage site. It houses a historic statue of Our Lady, venerated following a reported miracle. The basilica is notable for its Italian-style facade, cupola designed by Lucas Faydherbe, and richly decorated Baroque interior.