The church was constructed on the site of a 7th-century oratory dedicated to Waltrude, the daughter of a Merovingian count.
The building was never completed according to its original 15th-century plans, most notably regarding its intended massive central tower.
Jacques du Broeucq, who designed the choir screen, was the master sculptor for Emperor Charles V.
The Car d'Or (Golden Carriage) kept here is a 19th-century construction used exclusively during the annual Trinity Sunday procession.
The church holds the reliquary containing the skull and bones of Saint Waltrude, displayed for public veneration annually.
The choir screen is a rare surviving example of Renaissance-style stone screen work in the Low Countries.
The church interior contains a collection of 16th-century alabaster reliefs depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ.
The Saint Waltrude Collegiate Church is a prominent example of Brabantine Gothic architecture located in Mons, Belgium. Construction of the current building began in 1450 and continued over two centuries, resulting in an unfinished tower design. The church serves as the primary reliquary for the remains of Saint Waltrude, the patron saint of Mons. Inside, the structure features a notable collection of alabaster sculptures by Jacques du Broeucq, commissioned in the 16th century. It houses the Golden Carriage, which is central to the annual Ducasse de Mons festival. The interior is characterized by high, slender columns and ribbed vaults typical of late medieval Flemish design. It functions as both a religious site and a repository for significant local art and historical artifacts.
The view from the rear of the nave looking up toward the high arches and the intricate choir screen.
Visit during the annual Ducasse de Mons in late spring if you wish to see the Golden Carriage removed from the church for the procession.
Walk around the exterior to view the unfinished masonry that marks the site of the abandoned tower project.
Check the local parish website before visiting, as the church occasionally closes for private liturgical events or local ceremonies.
Do not attempt to touch the alabaster sculptures or the historic reliquaries.
The church may be inaccessible during specific local festival processions in May or June and occasional private religious services.
Maintain silence, as the site remains an active place of worship; remove hats and dress modestly.
