One of the most remarkable monuments of Tongeren is Our Lady’s Basilica with its majestic 64-metre-high bell tower. This marvelous Gothic church has a long history, since its first stone was laid in 1240. According to legend, bishop Saint Servatius founded a first church on this spot in the 4th century. Archaelogical researches have indeed discovered masonry from the 4th century and proven that also in the 9th century a Carolingian prayer house must have existed here. The building of the choir of the present Basilica was started in 1240. Nave, transepts and side chapels were added between the 13th and 15th century. The original romanesque tower was replaced by the present gothic tower from 1442 until 1541. One of the most famous treasures in the Basilica is the statue of Our Lady of Tongeren, made in 1475. The treasury of the Basilica is housed in the former hall of the Chapter and comprises one of the richest collections of religious art in Belgium. Artifacts of immeasurable value, ranging from the Merovingian era until the 19th century are on display : statues, reliquaries, ivory, etc..
Coin is available together with Ambiorix.