19.7 km | 26 km-effort
The church of Celles is open to the public all year round. It is remarkably well preserved, and considered as one of the finest examples of Mosan Romanesque architecture. Built with limestone and sandstone rubble, it is thought to be prior to the 12th century, while the crypt, located under the choir, is thought to date from the 9th century. The church has the shape of a Latin cross, with three naves and two rows of pillars.
Inside the church, note the many Gothic-style treasures: the stalls, among the oldest in Belgium (from the 13th century), a bluestone lectern (probably from the 16th century), the bluestone baptismal fonts decorated with angle heads (from the 16th century), statues of the Virgin Mary and Saint John in polychrome wood (from the 16th century), and a bluestone holy water font (probably from the 13th century). Note the beautiful stained-glass windows dating from 1600 and representing various scenes from the New Testament, and the interesting tombstones, notably the one in black marble that carries the remains of Rasse of Celles and his wife.
Outside, on the left side of the church and against the choir, you will see the chapel of Liedekerke-Beaufort. This family–the lords of the manor of Noisy–built a chapel in the middle of the 19th century where they buried all their family members in a tomb below, with an exterior door that leads out to the old cemetery that surrounds the church. A bit further, against the surrounding wall, note the rather unusual ensemble of old tombstones. Notice the arrow slits in the imposing defence tower.
Walking
Randonnées de la Maison du Tourisme Famenne - Ardenne Ourthe & Lesse PRO
