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

Italy Says…

Italy Says…

Roxana Mînzatu, College Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Social Affairs, addressed a parliamentary question from Irish MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú. The query was about the European Commission’s decision to halt infringement proceedings against Italy concerning discrimination against non-national university teachers (Lettori), despite previous rulings by the Court of Justice deeming

Read More

White House Asserts Spain’s Cooperation on Strikes; Spain Denies Agreement.

White House Asserts Spain’s Cooperation on Strikes; Spain Denies Agreement.

“I categorically deny this,” Albares stated in an interview on Spain’s Cadena Ser radio network. “Spain’s stance on the Middle East conflict, the attack on Iran, and the use of our bases has not changed.”
The White House claim followed Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s televised address, where he condemned the U.S. and Israel’s attack on Iran, asserti

Read More

Iran and Moroccan Islam: A Dangerous Contradiction – Opinion Piece by Isaac Hammoush

Iran and Moroccan Islam: A Dangerous Contradiction – Opinion Piece by Isaac Hammoush

In recent weeks, several Moroccan cities have seen demonstrations where, beyond traditional solidarity with Palestine, slogans and symbols have shown explicit support for the Iranian regime and what Tehran calls the “axis of resistance.” These gatherings have surfaced amidst a tense international climate marked by increasing military tensions in the Middle East following Israeli strik

Read More

Ce que la guerre en Iran signifie pour l’Ukraine

Ce que la guerre en Iran signifie pour l’Ukraine

Le président ukrainien Volodymyr Zelensky a exprimé lundi à la presse que les armes adéquates sont essentielles pour eux, soulignant l’impact possible d’un conflit prolongé au Moyen-Orient sur les approvisionnements.
Donald Trump a annoncé que la guerre des États-Unis et d’Israël contre l’Iran pourrait se prolonger jusqu’à cinq semaines, tout en se disant prêt à un co

Read More

Iran Under Fire: The United States, Israel, and the War

Iran Under Fire: The United States, Israel, and the War

Stephen Eric Bronner*
Amid cynicism, illusions, and imperialist aims, bombs are falling on Iran in a conflict between gangster states. Despite public disputes between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s actions in Gaza, their differences were exaggerated by liberal media. This intense bombing of Iran, following the June 2025 attacks, was premeditated. The U

Read More

Le Pen: Europeans Must Buy French for Nuclear Protection

Le Pen: Europeans Must Buy French for Nuclear Protection

“Deploying our nuclear weapons in nations purchasing American F-35s presents a major contradiction,” she stated.
Macron’s plan to potentially deploy fighter jets is part of a broader effort to strengthen nuclear cooperation. He also revealed plans for joint nuclear exercises but emphasized that the ultimate decision to launch nuclear weapons remains solely with the French preside

Read More

Tabernacle Choir Directs Hearts to Jesus Christ in São Paulo

Tabernacle Choir Directs Hearts to Jesus Christ in São Paulo

The Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square completed their “Songs of Hope” tour in São Paulo, Brazil, on March 1, 2026. The tour reached hundreds of thousands, with over 400 watch parties across Brazil, streaming Saturday night’s concert on YouTube.
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints noted the joy on atte

Read More

Wie Trump für Merz zur Wachstumsbremse wird

Wie Trump für Merz zur Wachstumsbremse wird

Als Kanzler Friedrich Merz aus dem Oval Office zurückkehrt, sieht sich Deutschland mit einer geopolitischen Realität konfrontiert. Steigende Gaspreise, sinkende Börsen und teure Tankstellen behindern die geplante Konjunkturbelebung. Gordon Repinski berichtet aus Washington über Merz’ Ergebnisse bei Donald Trump und dessen Pläne zur Stabilisierung der Wirtschaft und der CDU vor den Wahlen.
I

Read More

Pollution Exposure Tied to Depression, Anxiety, and Mental Health Issues | Press Releases

Pollution Exposure Tied to Depression, Anxiety, and Mental Health Issues | Press Releases

Reducing pollution in alignment with the EU Zero Pollution action plan may enhance mental health across Europe, as stated in an EEA briefing released today. The report examines connections between air pollution, noise, and chemical pollution with mental health issues and suggests potential actions, including the positive impact of nature-based solutions on mental well-being.
Scientific studies ar

Read More

Macron: US Strikes on Iran Violate International Law

Macron: US Strikes on Iran Violate International Law

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz remained neutral during the White House press conference where Trump issued a trade warning, while Macron appears to be siding more with Sánchez’s stance on the war’s illegality. Despite Trump’s assertion that the conflict would last only days or weeks, Macron expressed concern in his speech, highlighting the uncertainty of its end. “Strikes

Read More