View source for Waha

'''Waha''' ({{IPA|fr|wa.a}}; {{langx|wa|Wahå}}) is a village of [[Wallonia]] and a district of the municipality of [[Marche-en-Famenne]], located in the [[Luxembourg (Belgium)|province of Luxembourg]], [[Belgium]].

The village of [[Marloie]] is a part of the district.

[[Image:Waha JPG00a.jpg|thumb|Waha, church tower St-Etienne]]
[[Image:Waha JPG00g.jpg|thumb|Dedicatory stone commemorating the consecration of St. Stephen's church by [[Theodwin of Liège]] on June 20, 1050]]

== Etymology ==
The name "Waha" comes from the Germanic proper name "Wachart". The Latin name of the location was "Wachardi mansus", meaning "Wachart's dwelling".

== History ==
Waha in the 10th century belonged to the territory of count Immon. The first church was built only 100 meters from the present church and was dedicated to Saint [[Martin of Tours]]. In 1050 the present church of Saint Étienne was dedicated by [[Theodwin of Liège|Theodwin]], [[prince-bishop of Liège]].

The [[Chapter (religion)|collegiate chapter]] of Saint Étienne was dissolved during the time of the [[French First Republic]].

== Art historical significance ==
The church of Saint Étienne in Waha is one of the oldest [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] churches in Belgium. The [[nave]] of the church is only four arches long. The [[Choir (architecture)|choir]] has a rectangular shape and is unvaulted. It is also lower than the nave ceiling, which is not uncommon in early [[Mosan art|Mosan architecture]]. The [[westwork]] tower is slightly younger than the rest of the church.

In 1956-1957 the church underwent major restoration work as well as art historical investigation. It was then that the dedication stone from 1050 was found. There are also some sculptures by the ''Master of Waha'' in the church. The church's greatest treasure is the [[reliquary|reliquary shrine]] of Saint Étienne.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Image:Waha JPG00.jpg|{{center|Saint-Etienne church}}
Image:Waha JPG00c.jpg|{{center|Church interior}}
Image:Waha JPG00i.jpg|{{center|Reliquary shrine Saint-Étienne}}
Image:Waha JPG01.jpg|{{center|Timbered farmstead (18th century)}}
</gallery>

{{Commons category}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.Marche.be Official website ''Marche-en-Famenne'']

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[[Category:Former municipalities of Luxembourg (Belgium)]]
[[Category:Marche-en-Famenne]]