Mons Things to Do

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Mons unfolds around a nice and wide square, dominated by City Hall, but very harmonious and with interesting buildings around.

Some restaurants and esplanades give life to the place even in the cold days that we had (cold but sunny, what, in this latitude, is a blessing this time of the year).
We were using a car, and the gentle restrictions to pedestrians became a nightmare for us, enhanced by road works in the few that (it seems) we could use.

Relics of Sainte Wandru are in a guilded coffin held high above the alter of the church. It isn't actually gold, but gilded copper. IT was made to look like the church and is really beautiful.

Every year there is a procession where this coffin is paraded through the town in a golden carriage, 'CAR D'OR.' Ducasse de Mons, as the event is called, began in 1349 as an effort to combat the plague which had decended upon Mons. The shrine of Wandru was carried to the same place as the shrine of Vincent Madelgarus, her husband. The plague disappeared after this Procession. So, it became an annual event.

A dragon--St. George Slaying the Dragon--plays into the event, thrilling young and old alike. Sometime after 1380, the Fraternity of Saint George joined the celebration by enacting the scene of St. George fighting the Dragon. I didn't see it but from my friends reaction, it must be quite exciting and fun as they became animated and their eyes would light up everytime they talked about it.

If you happen to be in Mons fifty-seven days after Easter, you'll have the chance to see this eight day festival.

The church is large and the ceiling seemed higher than it actually was because there are no linear divisions on the three story elevation.

The sculptures are mostly of alabaster crafted by Jacques Du Broeucq between 1535 and 1548. The canonesses requested his work for the church. He is considered the Michael Angelo of Mons.

A funny story I was told while touring the church:
The canonesses commissioned Du Broeucq to make statues representing the four temporal virtues. Before completion he converted to Protestanism and quit.

The Canonesses, wealthy and influencial woment of Mons, wouldn't allow it and insisted he finish. So, he did, but, the head of the last statue is his own head instead of who it should have been.

There are lovely examples of religious art throughout the Church, but two of the most important items are, the Car d'Or, a beautiful golden carriage built in 1780. It is used during the yearly celebration of the Saint, "Ducasse de Mons." There s a shrine near the High Alter which was constructed in 1887. Here rests the body of the Saint since her death in 682.

The church is open everyday, but Monday, at 1:00 pm and I'd say it would take a couple of hours to see and appreciate everything.

If you have time to visit Mons try arranging a tour of the town through the Information office.

My friend did this for me and I enjoyed it very much. A two hour tour (about $50.00) was a generous gift. We were joined by several of his family and friends and it seemed that they enjoyed the tour as much as I did.

Learning the history of Mons and having the opportunity of seeing the various offices of the Hotel de Ville was fascinating. Most impressive was the fact that by law, anyone building in the town of Mons is required to make all buildings fit in with those that have been there for the last two to four hundred years. Thus this does to have the apperance of a truly ancient town. It's beautiful!

Here is a view of the Grand Place from the Mayor's meeting room.

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I do hope you take a good look at the old door's at the Town Hall, and elsewhere in Mon's, as there are some beauties'

My favorite, and this goes for any I have viewed, would be the Archway door. The door handle and Lock was really worth admiring and wondering how much effort was put into making this outstanding piece!

Then, when I looked at the next door, the step's had interesting railing's, very nice.

So, keep your eye's open!

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Saint Waudru Collegiate Church was built in Brabantine Gothic architecture, a type of architecture I hadn't heard of before. I didn't realize there were so many different type's of gothic architecture!

It is a colossal Church, built in the 15th century on the orders of canons. Once again, Blue stone, brick and sandstone has been used in the building. There are 15 side chapel's inside.

THE TREASURY.....
Has collections of goldsmith's works believed to be some of the most beautiful collections of religious gold and silversmith’s art in Belgium from the 12th to the 19th century.
Inside are objects which belonged to Saint Waudru from the 7th century, The Blessed Clasp, together with a collection of shrouds which were used to wrap the relics of the Saint’s body. Also included are historical statues, paintings and manuscripts.

The photo is of the processional carriage of Saint Waltrude Reliquary (1779-1782)

Religious Art Centre is open every day (except Mondays) from 12.00 to 6pm, except when there is a religious ceremony.

TREASURY OPEN.... from 1st March to 30th November, every day (except Mondays)
from 1.30 - 6PM except when there is a religious ceremony

ADMISSION....
Audio-guided visit : € 5
Treasury only : € 2.50 • Free every first Sunday of the month

Allow approx 2 hours to see everything.
Entrance through the south portal.
No access to the choir during services.

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The largest church in Mons is Eglise Sainte Elisabeth. This gothic Church was consecrated in 1588. Unfortunately, fire destroyed some of the Church, and when it was rebuilt, it was in Baroque style.

Out the front, there are stone figures of a knight and siren.
Inside, there were three naves, Gothic side altars, some with neo-Gothic altarpieces.
Even though mainly white inside, the wood carved choir stall's and other piece's were lovely, so were the stained glass window's.
The church also contains a bell dating from 1720.

Service's are held, Weekdays: 09.00 and Sunday's 7pm
THE CHURCH IS OPEN.....
Monday to Saturday: 09.00-6pm
Sunday: 10.00-10pm

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This square, which is the centre of the "old city," is where you will find the Town Hall and many other historic building's.
The square is completely paved, and has plenty of Cafe's and Restaurant's, and is near the pedestrian shopping street.
The fountain was working, but be careful, because I think you could easily get caught and wet with this one!

The first building built in the square was "au Blan Levrie," built in 1530 and in stone so as to avoid fire.
If you are here at Christmas time, then come to the square for the Christmas market's.

You are not allowed to drive through or park in the square.