Nivelles on the road to St James of Compostella Imprimer

 

Coquille Saint-JacquesSince the Middle Ages, pilgrims have travelled to Santiago da Compostella in Galicia ( north western Spain), to gather at the shrine of St James, one of Christ's disciples.

En route from Flanders, the Netherlands or Germany, many people would stop to venerate the relics of Gertrude in the Collegiate Church at Nivelles, a chef d'oeuvre of Romanesque art.

Saint Jacques de Compostelle dit Jacques le MajeurThe history of the town mentions several institutions with connections to the Compostella pilgrimage, including a church and a hospice of St James, a House of Galicia, and various hospitals and hostelries. All that now remains is the name of the St Jacques (James) district, where on certain façades you can still see the scallop shell which is the symbol of the Apostle. There are two remarkable wooden statues of the saint, one at the Town Museum and the other in the Collegiate Church.

 

The Belgian Association of Friends of St Jacques has researched and sign-posted several sections of the ancient pilgrim way in the local area. From Brussels, the Brabant Way enters Brabant Wallon at Hélécine, and joins up with the Gallia Belgica Way at Nivelles. This continues as far as Saint Quentin, passing through Binche and Maubeuge .These itineraries are detailed in two map-guides available at the Tourist Office of Nivelles.


Since January 2006, walkers and cyclists accredited by the Credential of the St James pilgrim can find lodgings with families and former pilgrims in Nivelles.

So...what more do you need? Start the adventure!
Buen camino y Ultréia !

 

Contact:
MP and JY STUYKENS : 067 21 15 70
B and JP STEENHAUT : 067 21 77 24

 

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