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

Former Chief of Staff to Zelenskyy Charged with Corruption

Former Chief of Staff to Zelenskyy Charged with Corruption

Both were also charged with corruption but denied the allegations last year.
During the ongoing corruption probe, Zelenskyy dismissed Yermak, his long-time close associate and top foreign policy negotiator, last November on the same day NABU searched Yermak’s office. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Yermak’s work but stated he needed “to avoid any speculations.”
According to NABU, the alleg

Read More

Detained Mayor Intensifies Effort for Release from "Pre-Trial Detention"

Detained Mayor Intensifies Effort for Release from "Pre-Trial Detention"

The Mayor of Tirana has warned he will take his case against his continued detention to the European Court of Human Rights.
Erion Veliaj has been held in what is termed “pre-trial detention” (PTD) since February 2025, pending an investigation by Albanian prosecutors.
His trial is yet to start and he robustly denies any wrongdoing but he continues to be held in a detention centre in Albania.
His l

Read More

International Scrutiny on Denmark’s Anti-Racism Plan: Insights from the UPR

International Scrutiny on Denmark’s Anti-Racism Plan: Insights from the UPR

In February 2025, Denmark introduced its first National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR), acknowledging a long-standing issue identified by human rights monitors. However, six months later, during the 52nd session of the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group in Geneva, the adequacy of the plan was questioned. Forty-four of the eighty-seven participating states expressed concerns abo

Read More

Labour Officials ‘Backing Away’ from Blocking Andy Burnham’s Return

Labour Officials ‘Backing Away’ from Blocking Andy Burnham’s Return

Billionaires Mikhail Fridman and former Russian Minister of Foreign Economic Relations Petr Aven are named as shareholders of a banking and financial services holding firm. Geoffrey Cox declared in the U.K. parliament’s Register of Members’ Financial Interests that he provided legal services to this firm.

Read More

Contempt Ruling Against Evo Morales Triggers Political Crisis in Bolivia 2026

Contempt Ruling Against Evo Morales Triggers Political Crisis in Bolivia 2026

LA PAZ, Bolivia – May 11, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — Bolivia justice systems are facing renewed international scrutiny after former President Evo Morales failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing tied to an ongoing trafficking-related investigation.
Judicial authorities formally declared Morales in contempt following his absence, escalating political tensions across Bolivia and reigniting

Read More

Sudanese Victims Submit Sanctions Request to European Union’s High Representative

Sudanese Victims Submit Sanctions Request to European Union’s High Representative

On May 10, 2026, a formal request was submitted to the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Kaja Kallas, by DEMAIN law firm on behalf of Sudanese victims. They are urging for an investigation and the imposition of targeted sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (CFSP Decision 2020/1999) against Emirati officials, Sudanese citizens,

Read More

Latvian Defense Minister Resigns Amid Leadership Changes on NATO’s Eastern Flank

Latvian Defense Minister Resigns Amid Leadership Changes on NATO’s Eastern Flank

Last Thursday, two stray Ukrainian drones crossed the Russian border and crashed in Latvia, with one exploding at an oil storage site in eastern Latvia. Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Russia’s electronic warfare redirected the drones. Latvia and Lithuania have appealed to NATO to enhance air defenses in their region following the event.
Andris Sprūds, an a

Read More

Ukraine’s Sense Bank scandal tests faith in wartime anti-corruption efforts

Ukraine’s Sense Bank scandal tests faith in wartime anti-corruption efforts

Ukraine’s anti-corruption drive has been rocked by allegations that a state-owned bank seized from sanctioned Russian owners was captured by a politically connected influence network tied to one of the country’s largest corruption investigations. The affair has also fuelled concerns that the bank could be used to launder money.
The claims centre on Sense Bank, formerly Alfa-Bank Ukraine, which w

Read More

Redesigning the Financial System for Growth

Redesigning the Financial System for Growth

An event by MFA.
One year after launching the Leeds Reforms and Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Plan, the progress in transforming the UK’s financial system to spur growth is evaluated. Key figures from Westminster, financial regulators, and the financial services industry gather to discuss the Government’s financial services agenda and its impact on economic growth prospects.
Focus

Read More

US Trade Crisis Worsens: Container Imports Drop in 2026

US Trade Crisis Worsens: Container Imports Drop in 2026

WASHINGTON, United States  – May 8, 2026 – Eurotoday — US trade crisis concerns intensified after newly released shipping data showed that container imports into the United States declined by 5.5% during April 2026. Analysts say growing geopolitical instability, shifting tariff policies, and weakening business confidence are beginning to reshape global trade patterns and supply chain strategies.
T

Read More