The Basilica of Saint Servaas (Servatius) which is located on the large, beautiful Vrijthof Square in the historic center of Maastricht, has been an important pilgrimage place since the remains of Saint Servaas were buried on the site in Maastricht in A.D. 384 and for one rainy day, we joined those who make a pilgrimage to the beautiful basilica.
Saint Servaas (Servatius) was an Armenian missionary who became Bishop of Tongeren. The Tungri (or Tungrians) were a tribe, or group of tribes, who lived in the Belgic part of Gaul, during the times of the Roman Empire. As one of the early missionaries of the Christian church, and later a bishop, he played an important part as a diplomat during the development of church doctrine and he took part in many of the debates and councils held during that time.
Saint Servaas (Servatius) was an Armenian missionary who became Bishop of Tongeren. The Tungri (or Tungrians) were a tribe, or group of tribes, who lived in the Belgic part of Gaul, during the times of the Roman Empire. As one of the early missionaries of the Christian church, and later a bishop, he played an important part as a diplomat during the development of church doctrine and he took part in many of the debates and councils held during that time.
above Portrait Bust of St. Servaas
As a Bishop, Servaas is believed to have been the founder of several early Christian churches in and around Maastricht (Tongeren) and was greatly venerated at his death.
Over the centuries legends accumulated around the Saint Servaas including that he was the cousin of John the Baptist, and therefore a distant relative of Jesus. At the end of the 12th century the poet Henric van Veldeke wrote a new legend of Saint Servaas, adding several more miracles and emphasizing Saint Servaas' saintliness.
Over the centuries legends accumulated around the Saint Servaas including that he was the cousin of John the Baptist, and therefore a distant relative of Jesus. At the end of the 12th century the poet Henric van Veldeke wrote a new legend of Saint Servaas, adding several more miracles and emphasizing Saint Servaas' saintliness.
Under the Basilica of Saint Servaas, excavations in the 1990s revealed the remains of a 6th-century church built by bishop Monulph. At its center is a late Roman structure, possibly the tomb of Servaas.
According to tradition the saint's remains now lie in the 6th century crypt. His tomb has been a place of pilgrimage for many centuries. Among the many Emperors, Dukes and Counts who prayed in the basilica, famous visitors, include Charles Martel, Charlemagne, Holy roman Emperor Charles V, and King Phillip II of Spain.
According to tradition the saint's remains now lie in the 6th century crypt. His tomb has been a place of pilgrimage for many centuries. Among the many Emperors, Dukes and Counts who prayed in the basilica, famous visitors, include Charles Martel, Charlemagne, Holy roman Emperor Charles V, and King Phillip II of Spain.
Saint Servaas is said to have brought many of the relics now kept in the Basilica Treasury, to Maastricht. The basilica has continued to aquire pieces over the centuries and all these fabulous treasures are amazing to see today.
The 12th-century gilded reliquary chest in the treasury, containing the saint's relics, became known as the Chest of Distress ("Noodkist") and it was carried around town in times of distress. A procession carrying the reliquary shrine still takes place every seven years (called the Heiligdomsvaart).
The reliquary is a major work of “Mosen” art. Mosen art is a Romanesque regional art from the valley of the Meuse River in the Low Countries of what are now Belgium, Netherlands and Germany. This style of art reached a high level of expertise in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries.
The reliquary is a major work of “Mosen” art. Mosen art is a Romanesque regional art from the valley of the Meuse River in the Low Countries of what are now Belgium, Netherlands and Germany. This style of art reached a high level of expertise in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries.
Objects that are associated with the saint, such as his crozier, his pectoral cross, a chalice, and a symbolic key to heaven are also kept on display in the treasury.
The church you visit today is believed to be the fourth church that was built on the site and was built in several stages over a period of more than 100 years.
Due to the close ties to the Holy Roman Empire, the Romanesque church was built with many German Imperial stylistic elements, but as with the reliquary, the church also exhibited details in the local Mosan art style.
Due to the close ties to the Holy Roman Empire, the Romanesque church was built with many German Imperial stylistic elements, but as with the reliquary, the church also exhibited details in the local Mosan art style.
above Big Bell by Willem and Casper Moers 1515
The sculpted Bergportaal, (the Royal Entrance) at the south side of the church, was begun around 1180 and transitions the late Romanesque and early Gothic styles. The sculpted tympanum and the two inner archivolts date from around 1180 and are Romanesque is style, the rest of the portal dates from around 1215 and is in the Gothic style.
The Labrinth on the floor is from the 19th century. From each corner which signify the "corners of the earth", a pilgrim can reach the center which signifies "Celestial Jerusalem".
The nave was built in the first half of the 11th century, the transept in the second half of the century, and the choir and westwork were built in the 12th century.
As we wandered the graceful lofty space, we could see several ages of artistic style blend into one another to create a beautiful harmony.
As we wandered the graceful lofty space, we could see several ages of artistic style blend into one another to create a beautiful harmony.
above East Choir (Vault painting 16th c. restored in 18th c.)
above Organ 18th-19th century
All the chapels along the side aisles are Gothic from the 14th and 15th centuries, and so are the vaulted ceilings of the nave and transept.
above Pieta 15th century
above Baroque Altar circ. 1750 Painting - Christ on the Cross and Mary Magdalene, Flemish
Ornate confessionals by Daniel van Vlierden (Hasselt, 1700), were brought to the basilica from a Dominican Church of Maastricht.
Next door to the Saint Servaas Basilica, the comparatively petite but beautiful St. John's, named after St.John the Baptist, projects upward with its tall spire.
It was originally built in the 12th century as a baptistery for St. Servaas. The tower was built in the 15 century in the style of the cathedral tower in Utrecht. In 1633, after a short period when it was an autonomous parish church, it came into Protestant possession as a Dutch Reformed Church.
It was originally built in the 12th century as a baptistery for St. Servaas. The tower was built in the 15 century in the style of the cathedral tower in Utrecht. In 1633, after a short period when it was an autonomous parish church, it came into Protestant possession as a Dutch Reformed Church.
As with many Low Country churches; the interior of the Saint Servaas Basiica incurred extensive damage through the years of religious and state conflict.
The basilica was partially restored between 1866 and 1900 and again from 1982-1991. Through the efforts of these preservationists, we were able to experience the historic beauty of this peaceful collection of spaces considered sacred for so many over the centuries.
The basilica was partially restored between 1866 and 1900 and again from 1982-1991. Through the efforts of these preservationists, we were able to experience the historic beauty of this peaceful collection of spaces considered sacred for so many over the centuries.
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