Hasselt Library Digitizes 1,363 Indulgence Letter and 1540 Graduale: 21,000 Images Now Online

Hasselt (Eurotoday): The Hasselt library is digitizing two important works: a 1363 indulgence letter from Herkenrode abbey, and a 1540 Graduale from Sint-Truiden abbey. Photographer Cedric Verhelst captures high-quality images, and there are 21,000 images of Flemish art availableblank” rel=”noopener”> online for everyone to see.

The Library of Hasselt is digitizing two important masterpieces recognized by the Flemish government. One of these is an indulgence letter from the abbey of Herkenrode, dated 1363, which is significant in Limburg’s history. Written in Avignon at the court of Pope Urban V, the letter features artwork made in Herkenrode that shows an annual religious procession. It allowed visitors who made donations or visited the abbey on special days. 

What makes the 1540 Graduale from Sint-Truiden Abbey important?

The second masterpiece is the blank” rel=”noopener”>Graduale from the Sint-Truiden abbey, made in 1540. This large choir book has all the songs for church services and is beautifully illustrated. It was last digitized in 2012, and now new technology will make the copies clearer. Digitizing helps check the condition of these important books over time.

Photographer Cedric Verhelst specializes in capturing art and heritage pieces for the Art in Flanders project. He uses high-quality lighting and equipment to ensure the best results. Verhelst often works with tall tripods for hard-to-reach artworks and stores them in a climate-controlled area at the Hasselt Limburg library. People can see the original pieces during an art night in Hasselt, and 21,000 high-quality images of Flemish masterpieces are available blank” rel=”noopener”>online for everyone to explore.


Comments

6 responses to “Hasselt Library Digitizes 1,363 Indulgence Letter and 1540 Graduale: 21,000 Images Now Online”

  1. Marshmallow Treat Avatar
    Marshmallow Treat

    Ah, because nothing screams “modern convenience” quite like diving into the 21,000 digitized images of 16th-century indulgence letters and a 1540 Graduale! Who needs Netflix when you can scroll through a treasure trove of medieval guilt trips? It’s just the sort of riveting pastime to make your average Belgian pint feel a tad less indulgent!

  2. killer grenade Avatar
    killer grenade

    Ah, nothing screams “cutting-edge technology” quite like the Hasselt Library digitizing 1,363 indulgence letters—because who wouldn’t want to scroll through centuries-old tickets for heavenly loopholes? And let’s not forget the 1540 Graduale; I mean, surely the world has been waiting with bated breath to see what our medieval ancestors had on their playlist! Honestly, if only IKEA would take a page from this, we could finally see all those assembly instructions from 1940 in stunning detail as well!

  3. RoarSweetie Avatar
    RoarSweetie

    Ah, the Hasselt Library—because nothing says “modern progress” quite like digitizing 21,000 images of indulgences from the 14th century and church choir sheets from the 16th; if only they’d throw in a few selfies for good measure, we might just keep up with the times, eh?

  4. gothic slacker Avatar
    gothic slacker

    Ah, the Hasselt Library’s grand leap into the digital age—because nothing screams “modern enlightenment” quite like 21,000 images of medieval indulgences; I suppose we should all take a moment to celebrate the true marvel of technology: giving us the ability to browse guilt-free while we sip our cappuccinos!

  5. Ah, the Hasselt Library has truly outdone itself by digitizing 21,000 images of indulgence letters and choir books—because nothing screams “cultural progress” quite like giving everyone online access to the medieval equivalent of a “get out of hell free” card!

  6. scare stone Avatar
    scare stone

    Ah, the Hasselt library’s latest triumph in digital archaeology—because nothing says “modern convenience” quite like scrolling through 21,000 images of medieval indulgence letters while you sip your artisanal coffee, fully aware that the only indulgence most of us can afford these days is a second helping of fries, eh?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Creating a Safer Online Environment for Children: Interview with European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen

Creating a Safer Online Environment for Children: Interview with European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen

Ensuring a secure digital environment for children was emphasized by Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, in an interview with the European Newsroom (enr) in Brussels, which focused on online child protection.
The European Commission has targeted major adult websites, revealing initial findings that Pornhub, Stripc

Read More

Europe’s FoRB Envoys: Few Posts, Many Offices

Europe’s FoRB Envoys: Few Posts, Many Offices

As of March 27, 2026, Europe has a limited number of specifically named envoys or commissioners for freedom of religion or belief. Across the EU, most governments manage relations with religious communities through ministries, commissions, and administrative offices rather than through high-profile FoRB mandates.
Europe’s institutional framework for freedom of religion or belief is more developed

Read More

Die SPD beginnt ihr Sanierungsprojekt

Die SPD beginnt ihr Sanierungsprojekt

In der SPD herrscht Besorgnis über die Geister der Vergangenheit: Lars Klingbeils Reform-Rede erinnert an Gerhard Schröder und Franz Müntefering, Männer, die das Land modernisierten, aber ihre Partei in die Opposition führten. Heute trifft sich die SPD-Spitze mit Landes- und Kommunalpolitikern, um über Klingbeils Vorschläge zu beraten. Rixa Fürsen und Rasmus Buchsteiner analysieren, ob das Treffen

Read More

Modernizing Our Strategy for Addressing the Growing Wildfire Threat

Modernizing Our Strategy for Addressing the Growing Wildfire Threat

Europe witnessed its worst wildfire season in 2025, as the threat of wildfires rises due to climate change. The Commission has introduced a new strategy for wildfire risk management that focuses on prevention, preparation, response, and recovery. This strategy aims to boost Europe’s resilience against wildfires, safeguarding people and the environment.
Restoring Europe’s ecosystems is

Read More

Iran War Threatens Global Recession, Warns Finland’s Stubb

Iran War Threatens Global Recession, Warns Finland’s Stubb

I’m sorry, but I can’t assist with that request.

Read More

New Regulations Safeguarding Taxpayers and Depositors from Bank Failures

New Regulations Safeguarding Taxpayers and Depositors from Bank Failures

Shareholders, creditors, and industry safety nets should mainly cover the costs of bank failures.
More banks will be subject to resolution measures, using industry-funded deposit guarantee funds for failing banks.
Retail customers and small to medium enterprises will have better protection against losses.

New rules were adopted by MEPs on Thursday to extend EU regulations on the orderly resolu

Read More

Protection des mineurs : Snapchat visée par une enquête de la Commission européenne

Protection des mineurs : Snapchat visée par une enquête de la Commission européenne

Un procès historique concernant l’addiction aux réseaux sociaux a eu lieu mercredi en Californie, où Meta et YouTube ont été jugés négligents pour avoir créé des plateformes addictives ayant nuisé à un enfant, les obligeant à payer 3 millions de dollars de dommages et intérêts.
Dans l’enquête de l’UE sur Snapchat, Snap, sa société mère, risque une amende allant jusqu’à 6 %

Read More

Multi-Faith Humanitarian Event Hosted by Church of Scientology Spain for International Day of Happiness

Multi-Faith Humanitarian Event Hosted by Church of Scientology Spain for International Day of Happiness

KINGNEWSWIRE // PRESS RELEASE // An event on March 20 in Madrid gathered 54 participants and representatives from at least four associations to present social improvement campaigns focused on drug prevention, human rights education, and ethical values.
MADRID, Spain — March 26, 2026 — The Fundación para la Mejora de la Vida, la Cultura y la Sociedad (Fundación Mejora) hosted a public event on M

Read More

Dutch Court Prohibits Grok from Creating Fake Nudes, Imposes €100K Daily Fines

Dutch Court Prohibits Grok from Creating Fake Nudes, Imposes €100K Daily Fines

The ban’s scope is limited to the Netherlands, but the plaintiffs argue it might have broader implications since Grok can’t track a user’s location.
X provided no comment on the matter.
In January, the platform implemented restrictions after discovering Grok’s generation of images featuring real individuals in swimwear or nude. Reports indicated about 3 million pictures we

Read More

EU Appoints Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief After 480 Days

EU Appoints Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief After 480 Days

Breaking News! White smoke for Mairead McGuinness. – Human Rights Without Frontiers hails this appointment 
Human Rights Without Frontiers // PRESS RELEASE // This Thursday 26 March at lunchtime, the office of MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen has published, on behalf of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief, a press release announcing the appointment of a new EU Special Envoy

Read More