Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai

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Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai: A Blend of Romanesque and Gothic Architectural Styles

The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai, located in the Belgian city of Tournai, is a remarkable architectural gem that showcases a unique blend of Romanesque and early Gothic styles. This cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, has been a significant religious and cultural landmark for over nine centuries.

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UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Tournai was built in the first half of the 12th century. It is especially distinguished by a Romanesque nave of extraordinary dimensions, a wealth of sculpture on its capitals and a transept topped by five towers, all precursors of the Gothic style. The choir, rebuilt in the 13th century, is in the pure Gothic style.

UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site

Criterion (ii): The Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Tournai bears witness to a considerable exchange of influence between the architecture of the Ile de France, the Rhineland, and Normandy during the short period at the beginning of the 12th century that preceded the flowering of Gothic architecture.

Criterion (iv): In its imposing dimensions, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Tournai is an outstanding example of the great edifices of the school of the north of the Seine, precursors of the vastness of the Gothic cathedrals.

Encyclopedia Record: Tournai Cathedral

The Cathedral of Our Lady, or Tournai Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral, see of the Diocese of Tournai in Tournai, Belgium. It has been classified both as a Wallonia major heritage site since 1936 and as a World Heritage Site since 2000.

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