ST. ROMBAUT AT MALINES

WIENER, Jacques and Leopold: Belgium, 1846, Bronze, 50 mm
Obv: View of exterior    Around:  FONDEE AU X SIECLE ACHEVEE 1451 LA TOUR COMMENCEE 1452 ELEVEE A 135 METRES 1516 ERIGEE EN EGLISE METROPOLITAINE 1559 PAR LE PAPE PAUL IV VISITEE PAR LOUIS XV 1746
Exergue: ST ROMBAUT DE MALINES
Rev: View of interior    On right:  INTERR DE ST ROMBAUT
Signed: J. ET L. WIENER F.
Ref: Van Hoydonck 19;  Reinecke 12; Ross M21; Bouhy 50; Weiss BW238

Malines (Flemish, Mechlin) is an ancient and important city in Belgium and since 1559, the seat of the only Belgian archbishopric. Its cathedral, which was dedicated to St. Rombaut , was begun in the 12th century, was finished early in the 14th century, and was modified in the 15th after a fire. The massive tower of over 300 feet, which is described as unfinished because the original intention was to carry it to 500 feet, is its most striking external feature. The cathedral contains a fine altarpiece by Van Dyck.

LINK to stained glass window

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