| The Oudenbosch Basilica | |
|---|---|
 Basilica of H.H. Agatha and Barbara | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Province | North Brabant |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Basilica |
| Location | |
| Location | Oudenbosch,Netherlands |
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| Geographic coordinates | 51°35′22″N4°31′43″E / 51.58944°N 4.52861°E /51.58944; 4.52861 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Dr. P. Cuypers,G.J. van Swaay |
| 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) |
| Website | |
| http://www.basiliekoudenbosch.com/ | |
TheOudenbosch Basilica[1][2] is aRoman Catholicbasilica in theDutchvillage ofOudenbosch. The basilica is named afterAgatha of Sicily andBarbara of Nicomedia, two Christian martyrs from the third century. It was built at the initiative ofWillem Hellemons who wasparishpriest between 1842 and 1884. Its nave and interior were modeled afterSt. Peter's Basilica, while the facade is a replica of theBasilica of St. John Lateran, both located inRome. The basilica was designed by architectPierre Cuypers. Construction began in 1865 but was not fully completed until 1892. The basilica is unique in the region in that it is relatively large with a classical Italian appearance that is atypical for most of northernEurope, let alone a small town inNorth Brabant.
DutchPapal Zouaves and local Catholics gathered in Oudenbosch and left for Rome in 1868 to defend thePapal State againstGiuseppe Garibaldi's Italian nationalist army. ThereforePope Pius IX agreed to build a relatively big basilica in a small place. Originally a church, it was designated aminor basilica in 1912.[3] A piece of the cloakPope John Paul II wore during the1981 assassination attempt is kept there as a relic.[4]
Elements inspired by their counterparts in Rome includeMichelangelo'sPietà,Bernini's baldachin, theChair of Saint Peter, andBernini'sGloria.
Authority control databases: National |
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