Oudenbosch Basilica

The Oudenbosch Basilica
Basilica of H.H. Agatha and Barbara
Basilica of H.H. Agatha and Barbara
Basic information
Location Oudenbosch, Netherlands
Geographic coordinates 51°35′22″N 4°31′43″E / 51.58944°N 4.52861°E / 51.58944; 4.52861
Affiliation Roman Catholic
State Basilica
Province North Brabant
Heritage designation Rijksmonument
Website http://www.basiliekoudenbosch.com/
Architectural description
Architect(s) Dr. P. Cuypers & G.J. van Swaay
Architectural style Neoclassicism
Groundbreaking 1865
Completed 1892
Specifications
Length 81 meters (265 ft 9.0 in)
Width 55 meters (180 ft 5.4 in)
Height (max) 63 meters (206 ft 8.3 in)
Dome height (outer) 51 meters (167 ft 3.9 in)
Dome dia. (inner) 20 meters (65 ft 7.4 in)

The Oudenbosch Basilica[1][2] is a Roman Catholic basilica in the Dutch village of Oudenbosch. The basilica is named after third century catholic women who were killed because of their faith, Agatha of Sicily and Saint Barbara. It was built under the initiative of father Willem Hellemons who was parish priest between 1842 and 1884. Its nave and interior were modeled after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome; while the facade is a replica of the Basilica of St. John Lateran also in Rome. The Basilica was designed by architect Dr. P. Cuypers. Construction began in 1865 but was not fully completed until 1892. The basilica is unique in the region in that it is quite large with classical Italian appearance that is atypical for most of northern Europe, let alone a small village in North Brabant.

St. Peter's Basilica of The Low Lands

Oudenbosch was the place from which the Dutch papal Zouaves went to Rome in 1868 in order to defend the Papal State against the attacks of the army from the Italian nationalist Giuseppe Garibaldi. Also a lot of catholics from Oudenbosch went. Therefore pope Pius IX agreed to build a relatively big basilica in a small place. For the Netherlands this was only the second basilica which was built. The ties with the Vatican remain tight, because pope John Paul II agreed that a small part of the cloak which he wore during the assassination of Ali Agca would be given to the basilica.

In the basilica there are several elements copied from the St. Peter's cathedral. Most important are Michelangelo's Pieta, Bernini's baldachin, the Chair of Saint Peter, in which Saint Peter still has both feet, and Bernini's Gloria.


Interior of the Basilica

References

Coordinates: 51°35′22″N 4°31′43″E / 51.58944°N 4.52861°E / 51.58944; 4.52861

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