The Saint Quintin’s Cathedral is the see of the Dioecesis Hasseletensis. The church is almost as old as the city itself and has roots that can be traced to at least the 8th century. The current building – a Romanesque base with early Gothic additions – dates back to the 11th century.
| 🎫 Tickets | € 0,- (Carillon Tower: €4,-) |
| 🕐 Opening hours | Adoration and visits: 09:00 – 17:00 Carillon Tower: – Guided tour on first Saturday of the month, at 14:00 – Groups can book a private tour (two weeks in advance!) Services: – every Saturday at 17:00 – every Sunday at 11:00 – (first Thursday of the month: rosary at 15:00) |
| ⏱️ Time needed | 30 minutes |
| 📚 What to visit? | The Niehoff organ (1592-1593) Paintings from Herkenrode Abbey and frescos by Guffens The carillon museum (operated by the Stadsmus) |
St. Quintinuskathedraal
Vismarkt
3500 Hasselt
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They are often overlooked when casually passing by, but I love to take a few moments to appreciate the paintings that hang near the side entrances of the cathedral. Cartoon versions on cloth can be found at the Stadsmus, but the real deal of these larger than life tableaus are on a whole other level.
From the outside it is hard to imagine the cosiness of the side chapels, or the tones of the unique organ, or the grand view of the altar…
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About Saint Quintin’s Cathedral
The St. Quintin’s Cathedral is built on the site of an 8th century parish church. The current Romanesque base of the building dates back to the 11th century. It received several expansions and renovations in following centuries (eg. the choir and four chapels in the 15th century and the ‘new’ tower spire in 1725).
The church is the cathedral of the Diocese of Hasselt since 1967. Until that point, Limburg was part of the Diocese of Liège.
Bell tower
The 1725 Carillon Tower is part of the Stadsmus (City Museum). Visitors can access it on the first Saturday of the month, at special occasions and during private group tours. The museum shows the 18th century carillon console, the inner workings of the 1911 tower clock and an exhibition on the manufacturing process of church bells.
Treasures and heritage
During the Beeldenstorm, Saint Quintin’s Cathedral was ransacked in iconoclastic attacks on 19 January 1567: the tabernacle, statues, altars,… all got destroyed. Nevertheless: the cathedral houses works from the past 500 years. Among them are the 1592/1593 Niehoff church organ and a 17th century Baroque statue of St. George by Daniël van Vlierden.
In 1725, after lightning had struck the bell tower, the church underwent restoration works. That same year Gothic stained glass and paintings from Herkenrode Abbey also found safe shelter in the church. The walls of the church were decorated with frescoes by local painter Godfried Guffens.
The church is a protected monument since 1933. The altar is protected heritage since 1993.
In 2026 it was announced that 26 paintings will undergo restorations.
