7 Historical Churches

The city centre boasts four Gothic and three Baroque churches of exceptional quality. Their towers have defined Mechelen’s skyline for centuries, and behind their doors you’ll find masterpieces by renowned artists like Rubens, Van Dyck and Faydherbe. From the vibrant colours of the Beguinage Church to the dome of the Hanswijk Basilica and the unique wooden ceilings of St Catherine’s Church, step through the historic doors and discover the hidden gems in the city centre.

Beguinage Church The seventeenth-century Beguinage Church has a magnificent baroque façade, with Italian-inspired features. At the time, Mechelen’s Beguines had capital and were therefore able to commission well-known architects.
St John’s Church The parish where St John’s Church is located was one of the richest parishes in Mechelen because the members of the Great Council lived in the vicinity.
Church of St Catherine The Gothic Church of St Catherine was built in the fourteenth century in an area where historically many poor people lived, and this is reflected in the church.
St Rumbold's Cathedral St Rumbold's Cathedral was built in the thirteenth century. From the outset it was larger and more impressive than all the other parish churches and later on it became 'the church of the archbishops'.
Church of St Peter and St Paul This beautiful, harmonious baroque church was originally dedicated by the Jesuits to St Ignatius and St Francis Xavier.
Church of Our Lady of Hanswijk This baroque pilgrimage church, designed by Lucas Faydherbe, was one of the first domed churches in the Low Countries. The dome was meant to be even higher, but the substructure proved insufficiently robust. Architect and church engaged in...
Church of Our-Lady-across-the-Dyle Our-Lady-across-the-Dyle was built in Gothic style in the 14 and 15th century on the site where Mechelen’s first parish church probably stood. Its tower contains a complete carillon of 49 bells.

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7 Historical Churches

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