Church of Saint Sulpicius in Diest - Discover this open and welcoming religious building

Church | 1321-1534 | Gothic | Catholic Church

Disabled access Parking space Toilets Carillon

Map

Opening hours

01 May - 30 September
Mon -
Tue 13.00 - 17.00
Wed 13.00 - 17.00
Thu 13.00 - 17.00
Fri 13.00 - 17.00
Sat 13.00 - 17.00
Sun 13.00 - 17.00

01/10-30/04: every first Sunday of the month : 1 pm-5 pm

Museum of religious art: same opening hours as church

Religious offices

Kerknet

Description

In the midst of the market stands the noteworthy collegiate church of Sint Sulpitius, one of the finest examples of Brabant Gothic (Demer Gothic). It was built mainly in 1417-1534 using the characteristic reddish brown brick. The choir dates from 1320. The small tower, known as "mostaardpot" (mustard pot), has a carillon with 43 bells.

The church houses interesting works of art including superb carvings on the pulpit, altars and confessionals. In the choir can be seen magnificent Late-Gothic choir stalls dated 1491 and the tomb of Philip of Orange-Nassau, who died in 1618; the font of St Jan Berchmans in the right side aisle and the treasure in a room adjoining the choir also warrant close examination. The main altar (18th C.) is by Michael van der Vorst; before it on the right is a work of the Antwerp school "Worship of the Kings".

KIKIRPA : Photo-library online

Photos

Media

Remarkable elements

Origin

The Saint Sulpitius’ church was named after Saint Sulpice, bishop of Bourges in the 7th century. He has obviously never been in this area, but his apprentice, Saint Remaclius, has Christianised this region. Saint Remaclius built a chapel in the 7th century and named it after Saint Sulpitius. Even when a Romanesque chapel and later a Gothic church replaced the first chapel, the original name remained. The French architect Pierre de Savoye designed the current church that was built between 1321 and 1536. This church houses a particularly rich treasury and a well-documented museum for religious art.

Pulpit

Kerrickx from Antwerp made the pulpit in the 17th century. It is a typical ‘floating’ pulpit, richly decorated with, among others, scenes from the life of Christ. Under the tub are life-size statues of Saint Augustine and Saint Norbert, respectively regulator and founder of the Norbertine order that had the bestowal law of this church.

Sedes sapientiae

There is a Romanesque Sedes Sapientiae from the twelfth century in the left transept. Our Lady of Miracles used to be the final destination of many pilgrimages. Scherpenheuvel later took this role.

Choir stalls

There are beautiful choir stalls dating back to 1493 in the presbytery. They were made in the workshop of Jan Borreman, a sculptor from Brussels. Especially the 24 statues underneath the seats stir the imagination. They offer a mocking kaleidoscope of the complete late-medieval society.

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