Turn to the right in the Place Vandenpeereboom, formerly an ornamental pond, now filled in.
Here used to stand a row of old houses with double façade, now completely destroyed. Here also, to the north of the Cloth Hall, stood the Cathedral of St. Martin.
ST. MARTIN'S CATHEDRAL
The Cathedral of St. Martin
ST. MARTIN'S CATHEDRAL AS IT WAS
In the background: the Cloth Hall. Compare with photo below (photo, Antony, Ypres).
The Church of St. Martin (which became a cathedral in 1559) replaced an older church of the 11th century. Built in the 13th century, its choir dated from 1221, and its nave from the second half of that century. The foundation-stone was laid by Marguerite of Constantinople. The western tower dated only from the 15th century, and replaced a tower which had collapsed in 1433. The new tower was 175 feet in height, and was to have been twice as high. Built from the plans of Martin Untenhove of Malines, it was severe in style.
The plan of the Cathedral was a Latin cross, and terminated in a semicircular choir. It underwent important restorations during the last century.