Année Gertrudis - Ouverture des chasses
Three days of veneration with the opening of the reliquaries of Saint Gertrude and her parents, kicking off Nivelles' commemorative year.
Position Nivelles as a pilgrimage and cultural heritage destination during Saint Gertrude's commemorative year, targeting faith-based and heritage tourism audiences.
- Behind-the-scenes access to sacred reliquaries opening ceremony
- Local heritage story: Saint Gertrude's legacy in Nivelles
- Plan your pilgrimage: 3-day veneration event guide
In 2026, Nivelles experiences a historic year celebrating three momentous anniversaries: the 750th edition of Tour Sainte-Gertrude, the 1400th anniversary of Sainte-Gertrude's birth, and the 980th anniversary of the Collégiale Sainte-Gertrude's consecration. Three major events that open a year of heritage, cultural and spiritual importance of rare significance. The year opens with the exceptional unveiling of reliquaries and an expansive series of religious, cultural and commemorative programming throughout 2026.
Part 1
Friday 13 – Sunday 15 February
- Exceptional opening of the reliquaries and display of the relics of Sainte Gertrude, her mother Sainte Itte, Bienheureux Pépin and Sainte Wulfetrude—a life-changing event Nivellois will see only once or twice in their lifetime
- The 750th Tour Sainte-Gertrude, taking place 4 October 2026, promises to be exceptional , with other celebrated reliquaries (Saint-Vincent of Soignies, Sainte-Waudru of Mons, Sainte-Aldegonde of Maubeuge) integrated into festivities, and the solemn return featuring ceremonial carts of Sainte Renelde (Tubize) and Saint-Barthélemy (Bousval) accompanying Sainte-Gertrude's cart—considered Belgium's oldest processional cart
- A video mapping light and sound spectacle (16–24 October 2026) with over 16 representations and over 10,000 spectators anticipated in the Collégiale
- Celebration of 980 years of the Collégiale (17 May 2026 at 10:30 am) presided by Mgr J.L. Hudsyn, polyphonic mass by Ensemble vocal 'Roman Païs', meeting of parishes, and archaeological conferences on recent discoveries at Nivelles
- Celebrations, concerts, conferences, a sound and light show, and publication of a commemorative book throughout this exceptional year
- The Tour Sainte-Gertrude draws several thousand people each year , establishing major heritage and pilgrimage appeal