Virga Jesse Basilica

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Virga Jesse Basilica
Virga Jessebasiliek
Virga Jessebasiliek.jpg
Virga Jesse Basilica in Hasselt
Virga Jesse Basilica
LocationHasselt, Belgium
History
Dedication Virga Jesse
Architecture
Style Late Baroque and early Classicism
Completed1727
Specifications
Materials Stone

The Virga Jesse Basilica (Dutch : Virga Jessebasiliek) is a basilica located on Kapelstraat in Hasselt, Belgium. The church is best known for housing the 14th-century statue of the Virga Jesse, which is paraded through the streets of Hasselt every seven years during the Seven-Yearly Festivities.

Contents

The church, formerly known as Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, was first established in 1334 when a member of the "Brotherhood of Our Lady" built the Clerkenkapel on the site. The current structure, completed in 1727, was built in a late-Baroque and early-Classical style, replacing the original chapel.

On August 15, 1867, Pope Pius IX authorized the coronation of the Virga Jesse statue by François-Xavier de Mérode. The church was heavily damaged by a V-1 rocket bombing in November 1944, which killed 16 people and destroyed much of the surrounding area. The Virga Jesse statue miraculously survived the devastation. The church was rebuilt and reopened in 1951.

On May 6, 1998, Pope John Paul II elevated the church to the status of a basilica. The basilica received the traditional insignia of a basilica, including a conopeum (papal umbrella) and a tintinnabulum (bell). It has been a protected monument since 1980.

Removal of the Bell Tower in 2017

During a routine inspection in 2017, Monumentenwacht discovered severe structural problems, including wood rot in the upper part of the bell tower. For safety reasons, the upper section, including the spire, was removed. Though plans were considered for restoration, the tower remains incomplete.

Virga Jesse Basilica with original spire Virgajesse1.JPG
Virga Jesse Basilica with original spire

Artistic Treasures

The basilica houses numerous artistic and religious treasures:

Some of the basilica's treasures, including mantles and jewels for the Virga Jesse statue, are displayed at Het Stadsmus. Notable items include the silver ‘kleedje van de Morin,’ recognized as a Flemish heritage piece.

Organ

The organ, built around 1860 by Arnold Clerinx, was moved to the basilica in 1952 from the Saint Elisabeth Hall in Antwerp. It was restored in 2003.

50°55′46″N5°20′8″E / 50.92944°N 5.33556°E / 50.92944; 5.33556

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