Stand face to face with Gilded Mary

At the beginning of this year, the restoration works on the tower of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk were able to start. An eye-catcher is the re-gilding of the iconic statue of Mary (Maria Verguld in popular parlance), which has adorned the skyline of Sint-Niklaas for decades. Previous gildings date from 1947 and 1967. Back then, the statue was taken off the tower to be cleaned and re-gilded. About sixty years after the last time, it was determined that weather and wind have taken their toll: the gold leaf has largely disappeared. This time, the statue is being thoroughly cleaned on top of the tower, repaired where necessary, and finished again with gold leaf. The domes are also being tackled and thoroughly refreshed. Anyone who is not afraid of heights can register for an exclusive construction site visit to the tower. Keep an eye on the website for more details. Practical info: must not be afraid of heights must be steady on one's feet (+/- 300 steps) must wear closed shoes must be at least 13 years old Accessibility: Anyone wishing to participate must not be afraid of heights and must be steady on their feet to be able to climb +/- 300 steps.