Church of Saint Robbe

Cathedral of Saint Robbe, officially the Church of St. Robert is an art-nouveau church in Roodstad, constructed from 1733 to 1902.

History
The original church in Roodstad was built from 1461 to 1509 in a gothic style. The church, not built in a wide space like others in the country, was thus small and had no room for expansion. The church suffered little damage during the Franco-Brunanter War, but by then the local priest had petitioned for a newer and larger church to hold his congregation. Eventually, with enough finds raised, it was decided to convert the old hospital (built from 1733-50 in the plot beside), now decaying, into a church. The old church was demolished in 1886 and work began on remodeling the hospital for use.

The Catalan architect Francesc Claramont (1848-1910) was hired to do the work. His designs were clearly inspired by the early art nouveau design and Catalan modernisme, especially on the tower.