Saint Dymphna

Altarpiece of Saint Dymphne

This 16th century altarpiece, 7 m high and 6.5 m wide, contains over 200 oak figurines arranged in scenes. It depicts the legend of Saint Dymphne in three horizontal parts: her life and martyrdom below, her earthly exaltation in the middle, and her heavenly victory above, topped by Mount Calvary. A niche holds a neo Gothic shrine with the relics of Saints Dymphne and Gebernus.

Altarpiece of the Apostles

This 14th century white stone altarpiece, likely the church’s oldest artwork, is divided into seven Gothic shaped sections. The six smaller ones each contain two niches showing apostles with their attributes, such as Peter with a key and John with a book. The central portal depicts the Calvary: Christ on the cross between sun and moon, with Mary and Saint John beside him.

Altarpiece of the Passion

This oak altarpiece dates from 1490-1500 and comes from a Brussels workshop. This is confirmed by the hallmark of the Brussels sculptors, namely a double hammer, which was found on the back of the scourged Christ during a restoration. The crucified Christ is the center of the composition. When you open the doors, you can "read" the whole story of passion. It reads like a comic strip from Jesus' suffering in the Garden of Olives to Pentecost.

Secret and small paintings of the Merode

The hidden “secret” space once stored relics, artworks, and important documents, and originally connected to an upper floor and a cellar, later sealed. Closed by two 16th century doors, it was recently restored and turned into a small treasure room. It holds two small Merode family paintings by Jan Mostaert, created for the engagement of the figures shown and considered key works of Flemish art.

Funeral monument of Baron Jean III de Merode and Anne de Gistel

Married in 1520, Baron John III of Merode was buried beside his wife in 1550 in St. Dymphne’s choir. Their Renaissance tomb by Cornelis II Floris de Vriendt follows ancient tradition: the couple lies on a sarcophagus, hands joined in prayer. A lion at the Baron’s feet shows bravery; a dog at Anne’s symbolizes fidelity. Roman heralds support the tomb, surrounded by coats of arms and chivalric symbols.

Stained glass windows

The stained glass windows in the side naves, made in Antwerp between 1889 and 1900, depict the life of Saint Dymphna. Daughter of an Irish pagan king, she fled to Geel after refusing his marriage proposal. Her father pursued and killed her and her confessor Gebernus. The people of Geel buried them and later invoked Dymphna for healing, turning the town into a major pilgrimage site.

Download the plan of the remarkable elements