Church of Our Lady across the Dyle - is the second largest church in Mechelen. Many wealthy residents sponsored a here their altars. Unfortunately, many wonderful treasures inside the church have been irretrievably destroyed during the bombing that took place during World War II.
In the past, the church could compete with the cathedral St. Rombouts not only in size but also in great quantities treasures filling its interior. Today, the greatest treasure of the church is a three-meter triptych painted by Peter Paul Rubens, miraculous catch of fish . The artist painted the work, at the request of the guild of fishermen, in the 1620 year. |
Also XIV century sculpture of the Virgin Mary with the curves of her hips is the pride of the church. This sculpture is the only free-standing statue of this period in Mechelen, and its name comes from the characteristic attitude of Mary statue. Much more can be found here sculptures and paintings from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
Also, several statues of the Virgin Mary attracts the attention of visitors, especially the statue of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows, who has created Antoon Faydherbe in 1653 year. Equally interesting are the sixteenth century frescoes depicting the biblical parable of the prodigal son, the Baroque pulpit, which he had done Willem Ignatius Kerrikx (1682-1745). While the Baroque high altar is the work of Antoon Pastor (1640-1702). Decorated with painting The Last Supper, which was painted by Jan Erasmus Quellinus (1634-1715).
Address:onze-lieve-vrouwestraat 2800 mechelen
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Opening hours:Monday-Sunday 13.00 - 17.00
Wednesday: closed |
Ticket price:Free entrance
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Church of Sts. John (sint Janskekr) - from outside the church does not make a great impression, so many tourists do not choose to go inside, and that's a big mistake.
Church of Sts. John was built on land the richest parts of Mechelen, in the place where he lived the members of the Great Council (Supreme Court of the Netherlands in the sixteenth century). This is reflected in the numerous works inside the church. Undoubtedly the greatest treasure in the church is a magnificent Baroque Triptych Peter Paul Rubens. Beautifully made the center panel shows The Adoration of the Three Wise Men. For the side panels, there is a mechanism to rotate images at regular intervals, so that you can watch all the scenes. |
The woman's face on the middle panel is the face of Rubens' first wife, Isabella Brant. Side panels in a very graphic shows the death of St. John the Baptist (by decapitation) and St. John the Evangelist (pouring oil). Images on the outer side of the triptych show the Baptism of Christ and St. John of Patmos.
The church will also find sculptures of many important seventeenth eighteenth century artists from Mechelen: Lucas Faydherbe (1617-1697) has created a funerary monument at the grave of Rombout Huens. Sculpture of the Madonna and Child, which is part of the confessional, made Nikolaas van der Veken (1637-1709). Theodoor Verhaegen (1701-1759) designed the altar, adorned in a triptych by Rubens. Sculpture to the altar done Pieter Valckx (1734-1785). Pulpit, housing authorities, and several benches are also his work. |
Address:sint-janstraat 2800 mechelen
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Opening hours:Monday - Sunday 13.00 - 17.00
Wednesday - closed |
Ticket price:Free entrance
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Church of Sts. Catherine (sint Katelijnekerk) - was built in the fourteenth in the poorer parts of Mechelen, inhabited by the poor, which is reflected in the scale of the church and quite modest decor. It should be noted, however, that made of wood sculptures and furniture are remarkable. The altar is the work of Joseph Lucas Faydherbe (1617-1697). Pulpit Verhaegen (1701-1759), which is covered with sculptures created Pieter Valcx (1734-1785). Characteristic of this region, made in a very decorative manner, stalls carved Nicolaas Van der Veken (1637-1704). Derived from the nineteenth century stained glass windows depict scenes from the life of St. Catherine.
In the church there are many references to St. Catherine mythical characters from the Roman period. Legend has it that she refused to renounce the Christian faith, for which the emperor sentenced her to death on the wheel. But this is not St. Catherine was broken, and the same wheel. Finally, the authorities have stated with St. Catherine should be beheaded. Again, however, something unusual happened. With wounds on the neck Catherine flowed milk which began to spread the plague in . Other references to St. Catherine can be found in twelve rosette windows in the nave, resembling in shape tool, which tortured St. Catherine, and a beautiful rose window in the facade.
Address:sint-katelijnestraat 2800 mechelen
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Opening hours:Monday - Sunday 13.00 - 17.00
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Ticket price:Free entrance
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Church of the Beguinage (Begijnhofkerk) - construction of the church began with the Brussels architect Jacques Franquart. After his death the work of 1640, he continued Lucas Faydherbe. In the 1674, the church was ready. Outside Faydherbe created a marble sculpture, depicting the figure of St. Catherine and above the figure of God the Father. Statue of St.. Catherine suffered greatly during the revolution. Her head completely destroyed. It was replaced by the carved by Brocksteynsa, pet Faydherbe.
It can be said that this church, whose official name is Sint-Alexius-en-Catharinakerk, is the most feminised church in Mechelen. In contrast to the Cathedral. Rombouts, which is dominated by male symbols.
The great baroque altar made of black and white marble is the work of J. Van der Steen. The altar alternate two images. First, the image Marriage of St. Catherine is a work Boyermans (this is the copy of the painting by Rubens hanging in the church Augustin Fathers in Antwerp). The second image is the work of Lucas Francois called Assumption of the Virgin. The first one can be seen in the great altar of the Easter holidays until the day of all the saints, the second day of all the saints for the Easter holidays.
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Above the altar highlight three paintings by Jean Cossiers. In the middle of a picture of Christ on the cross and the sides of the images, which immortalized hanging on crosses thieves.
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Inside the church is about 50 paintings from the seventeenth century. Colors adorning the interior of the church come from the 1910 year. The church, together with all the Beguinage is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Church of Sts. Peter and Paul (Sint Pieter en Paulkerk) - This beautiful, harmonious baroque church was dedicated by the Jesuits. His patrons were St. Ignatius and St. Francis Xavier. After the liquidation of the Jesuit order in the area parish of St. Peter and Paul asked to supply it with the church, because their own temple was in bad condition. Since then, the church called St. Peter and Paul.
The interior of the church is richly decorated. Great pulpit reminds missionary St. Francis Xavier held in the four corners of the world. At that time (sixteenth century) there was no knowledge of the existence of Oceania, the fifth continent. Fourteen confessionals built into the walls of the church are a good example of the ability of Mechelen sculptors. As legend has it that a large number of confessionals due to the proximity to the market square (square, which sold cattle), and there until it was full of crooks. The truth is quite different. Church of Sts. Peter and Paul was originally a pilgrimage church, containing numerous relics. They could touch them only free people from sin. Hence the large number of confessionals.
The interior of the church is richly decorated. Great pulpit reminds missionary St. Francis Xavier held in the four corners of the world. At that time (sixteenth century) there was no knowledge of the existence of Oceania, the fifth continent. Fourteen confessionals built into the walls of the church are a good example of the ability of Mechelen sculptors. As legend has it that a large number of confessionals due to the proximity to the market square (square, which sold cattle), and there until it was full of crooks. The truth is quite different. Church of Sts. Peter and Paul was originally a pilgrimage church, containing numerous relics. They could touch them only free people from sin. Hence the large number of confessionals.
Address:keizerstraat 1, 2800 mechelen
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Opening hours:Monday - Sunday 13.00 - 17.00
Wednesday - closed |
Ticket price:Free entrance
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Church of Our Lady of Hanswijk (Onze Lieve Vrouw van Hanswijkbasiliek)
seventeenth century basilica combines a triple nave of one of the first in the Netherlands domes. The church was designed by Lucas Faydherbe, but the foundations were too weak to rise much higher dome, which was in his plans. Rotunda has a diameter of 15,50 m, and the dome rises to 34 meters. Inside the church, under the dome, there are two large bas-reliefs. This work of Lucas Faydherbe. As they were believed to be made of sandstone. When the reliefs were damaged by bombing during World War II, it came to light that their creation Faydherbe not use too heavy, in his opinion, sandstone, but lightweight gypsum. In front of the church there is a beautiful sculpture of the Virgin Lady of Hanswijk, which is carried through the streets in the annual procession. The 1985, Pope John Paul II prayed at the church. Two years later he was elevated to minor basilica. Inside the church deserve attention baroque pulpit, he created Theodoor Verhaegen and baroque confessionals made by Jan-Frans Boeckstuyns. |
Address:hanswijkstraat 2800 mechelen
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Opening hours:Monday - Sunday 13.00 - 17.00
Wednesday - closed |
Ticket price:Free entrance
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Church of Our Lady of Leliendaal (Onze Lieve Vrouw van Leliëndaalkerk)
seventeenth century baroque church, which was part of the convent of the Norbertine. It was the first major individual architectural design Lucas Faydherbe. During the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars, the church was stripped of most of their ornaments. Beautiful original pulpit was moved to the Cathedral. Rumbold, where you can admire it today. From 1900, the church is the Order of the Jesuits. Hence the Jesuit iconography dominates the former church of the Norbertine. The figure of St. Ignatius of Loyola on the facade, the image of the main altar, and the ubiquitous Maria are examples of the influence of the Jesuits. Of particular note in the church deserves the altar Lucas Faydherbe and some reliefs.
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