St Gertrude's Church

Matthys de Wayere

Choir stalls
Sint-Geertruikerk Leuven
GFreihalter - Wikimedia (CC)

Halfmaartstraat, Leuven

Practical information
Tourist information

St Gertrude’s Church’s spire without any nails is considered one of the seven wonders of the city of Leuven. It is where you will come across superb choir stalls, decorated with nearly five hundred carved relief sculptures. Highly recommended!

Gothic church interior with ornate wooden choir stalls and high, vaulted ceiling. Sunlight streams through arched windows, illuminating checkered floor.
Johan Bakker - Wikimedia (CC)

St Gertrude's Church

St Gertrude’s Church, which was built around 1220, was originally an abbey church serving a community of regular canons. The prosperous abbey, with its vast holdings of land, farms and vineyards, also wielded considerable political power. Its prelate was a member of the States of Brabant, the governing body that represented the interests of the clergy. Architecturally, the church belongs to the Gothic period. The spire, which was designed around 1453 by master builder Jan van Ruysbroeck, is unique: carved entirely from stone, without the use of wood or nails. It is considered one of the seven wonders of the city of Leuven.

 

Choir stalls, Matthys de Wayere

496 impressive relief sculptures adorn the choir stalls in St Gertrude's Church. The Brussels woodcarver Matthys de Wayere created them around 1540, commissioned by the prelate Pieter Was. These masterpieces of late Gothic art exude an almost extravagant sense of decoration. Each piece of furniture is embellished down to the finest detail. The effigies depict Biblical figures, scenes from the church’s history and the story of the abbey. Canons gathered daily in these pews for Liturgy of the Hours prayers. With their rank and seniority reflected in their assigned permanent seats, they took turns chanting about the Bible, the lives of saints and works of the Church Fathers. It was their main mission as prebendaries of the church.

Gothic church interior with ornate wooden choir stalls and high, vaulted ceiling. Sunlight streams through arched windows, illuminating checkered floor.
Johan Bakker - Wikimedia (CC)
Stone church tower with intricate Gothic architecture against a bright blue sky. Leafy branches frame the scene, adding contrast and depth.
Marc Vew - Wikimedia (CC)
Sint-Geertruikerk Leuven
Johan Bakker - Wikimedia (CC)

Practical information

Address

Halfmaartstraat
3000 Leuven
Belgium
View directions

Opening hours

  •  From 1 April until 30 September, open Tuesday to Sunday from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. 

Accessibility

  •  Easy access for people with disabilities

More information

Good to know

  •   Admission: free
     

Any questions?

Tourist information

Masters of Imagination: out and about in Leuven

Follow in the footsteps of the legendary Flemish Masters. The Master Tours take you to extraordinary places in Flanders’ cities and towns, all connected by one story.
On a Flemish Master Tour in Leuven
A classical painting depicts several people in period clothing, engaging in intense discussion. Overlaid are large pink puzzle pieces, partially obscuring the scene.

Other sites nearby

A mysterious creature with horns and green hands peeks out from under a figure's black and white robe, conveying a surreal and eerie tone.
Publiek Domein - Artinflanders

St Peter’s Church (Leuven)

Discover how the masterful hands of Dieric Bouts transformed religious narratives into vivid scenes in St Peter’s Church in Leuven.
Stone church with a tall spire and arched entrance under a bright blue sky. Trees frame the scene, adding a serene and historical feel to the quaint street.
Johan Bakker - CC Wikimedia

St John the Baptist's Church (Leuven)

Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, the St John the Baptist's Church in Leuven is a must-see for any culture lover.
A historical painting depicts a group of men in robes gathered around a table. At the center is a serene figure with a gentle expression, hands raised in blessing.
KIK-IRPA

St Quentin’s Church (Leuven)

St Quentin’s Church is the most beautiful church in Leuven according to the humanist Justus Lipsius. Do pay a visit to admire it and discover The Last Supper