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5 masterpieces of the St Leonard's Church in the spotlight
On the occasion of Open Churches 2021 (Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 June), you can enjoy unique images and expert explanations of the recently restored Marianum, the recently preserved St. Anne's altarpiece, the St. Leonard's altarpiece, the Passion altarpiece and the St. Catherine's altarpiece via digital means in the comfort of your own living room - coronaproof permitting.
The Madonna of the Rosary, locally usually called the Marianum, and the four large viewing boxes testify to the refined artistry of the various artists who worked on these religiously inspired artefacts in a line of business for which Flanders is still famous far beyond its borders.
Your acquaintance with these five masterpieces will undoubtedly provide a stimulus for visiting Zoutleeuw in the not-too-distant future to admire the other masterpieces from its unsurpassed St Leonard's Church. You can take part via the website of the town of Zoutleeuw, the facebook page of the town of Zoutleeuw or, if it is coronaproof, by visiting the church on the above-mentioned days during the normal opening hours of the church (2 pm to 5 pm).
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Saint Leonard
This colossal gothic construction was built mainly between the 13th and 16th centuries. The numerous works of art in Saint Leonard’s church makes it world renowned. By chance, the Iconoclast Revolt of 1566 and the French Revolution passed by almost unnoticed. Thanks to that this prestigious cultural heritage was preserved: altar pieces, paintings, statues, copper and silver works, devotional ornaments…
One of the church’s jewels is the restored Saint Sacrament tower. This tabernacle in white stone from Avesnes was made in the workshop of Cornelis Floris de Vriendt in Antwerp and erected in Zoutleeuw in 1552.The tower is 18 metres high with 9 floors holding 200 statuettes, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments.
Another work of art is the copper Easter candle holder which is 5.68 metres high and weighs 950 kilos. It was moulded by Renier van Thienen. It is Europe’s second largest Easter candlestick.
The side chapels were added in the 16th century on the request of the guilds. They contain numerous altar pieces of unequalled splendour: the retable of Saint Anne (16th century), of Our Lady (16th century and of Saint Leonard (15th century).
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The St Leonard's church (NL)
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