Veurne - Sint-Walburgakerk

Veurne was settlement in possession of the Saint Bertin Abbey in Saint-Omer. The place got fortified against Viking raids around 890.

A count´s chapel existed here. After the relics of Saint Walburga had been transferred to Veurne in the early 9th century the chapel got replaced by a larger Romanesque church. This church was then dedicated to Saint Walburga, an English missionary to the Frankish Empire, Saint Willibald´s and Saint Winibald´s sister and Saint Boniface´niece.

A chapter of secular canons was related to the church, when mid 13th century the Romanesque choir got pulled down and the erection of a Gothic choir started. It was completed in the early 14th century. When the old nave burned down in 1353 fruitless attemps were undertaken, to built a large Gothic nave with a massive tower on the west.

After the French Revolution the building was sold for demolition, but a yaer later, Veurne´s population bought the church back and the restoration could start within the 19th century.