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This collegial church of Mons is impressive, sitting on the heights of the city, near the watchtower: 110 metres long, 34 m wide, 24.5 m high. It is a very beautiful edifice in the Gothic style whose construction spread from 1450 to 1686. The church was dedicated to Saint Waltrude, who in the 7th century founded on this hill in Mons a small religious community that later became a noble chapter of canonesses.

In the interior, surrounding the choir, seven statues by sculptor Jacques Du Broeucq representing the virtues. It is up to you to guess which ones… Beautiful stained glass windows of the 16th century. Numerous chapels, formerly headquarters of corporations. Reliquaries of Saint Waltrude.

You will also notice at the back of the church the unusual presence of a vehicle of painted and gilded wood in Louis XVI style. It is the “Golden Coach”, precious to the hearts of the people of Mons. This coach has its day of glory on Trinity Sunday. The reliquary contains the relics of Waltrude; the patron saint comes out in procession in the streets of the city, exhibited on this golden coach. At the end of the procession, drawn by solid horses, with a single running jump it has to go back up the steep path that borders the collegial church, pushed and followed by an innumerable and effervescent crowd. If the climb happens without a hitch, the year, they say, will be a good one for the City.

It took three years of work to completely restore the organ! It now has 70 registers spread over 4 manual keyboards and a pedalboard for a total of more than 4,400 pipes. The transmissions combine mechanics, electricity and IT. The contribution of modern technology to a centuries-old tradition will give the organist almost unlimited registration possibilities. It will allow a major part of the repertoire composed from the 17th century to the present day to be played in the appropriate sound.

This collegiate church is classified as an exceptional heritage site in Wallonia.

Virtual tour of the collegiate Sainte-Waudru

KIKIRPA : Photo-library online

Website of Sainte-Waudru