St Trudo, son the the count of Haspengouw (French: Hesbaye, English: Hasbein) founded his abbey in 664. After his death in 693, and subsequent canonisation by precongregation, the place developed into a sanctuary. The abbey flourished and became one of the largest monastic complexes in the Netherlands. Since 812, the abbey follows the rule of Benedict. Around the abbey developed the city of Sint-Truiden, a town with current population around 40,000 that received a charter in the 11th century.
St Trudo’s church was destroyed in 883 by the Norsemen. The emperor Otto I placed the abbey under his protection and in 945, the abbot Adelbaro constucted a new church. This church was replaced in the 11th century by a larger construction by the abbot Adelardus II.
The current tower dates from the 11th century. The adjacent baroque gate was added in the 17th century. Behind the gate lie the foundations of 3 churches and an underground crypt, containing the remains of various abbots.
The tower was 66.7 meters high, but a fire in 1975 destroyed the spire that had been added in the 18th century, leaving the current tower of 35 meters height. It can be climbed through 208 steps, during which you can experience its 1000 years of history. The top offers a panoramic view to the city and surroundings.
