Basilica of Sint Odiliënberg - Sint Odiliënberg

In the 8th century, an abbey was founded on Sint-Petrusberg by three Anglo-Saxon priests: Plechelmus, Wiro and Otger. No visible remains of this abbey church have survived. In fact, in the 11th and 12th centuries, it was completely replaced by the current church. So despite not being the original abbey, this church is equally ancient.

The building was restored between 1880 and 1883 under the direction of Johannes Kayser (1842-1917), who was a pupil of Pierre Cuypers. While Kayser was in charge of the restoration project, Cuypers had a major influence on the result. The interior of the church, most of which was not realised until 1945, was built according to the ideal image Cuypers had in mind. Moreover, Cuypers brokered the sale of two twelfth-century apostle statues, to the Rijksmuseum, to raise funds for the large-scale restoration.

As many of the original parts have been reconstructed, the building is well worth seeing. Since 2021, the apostle statues of James and John can also be admired again in the basilica.

For more information about the basilica, you can also visit the adjacent Roerstreekmuseum.