Saint George
Mechelseplein 22
2000 Antwerpen
Church | XIX | Neogothic | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon -
Tue -
Wed -
Thu 13.30 - 15.30
Fri 9.00 - 12.00 • 14.00 - 16.00
Sat 14.00 - 16.00
Sun 10.15 - 12.15
Guided tour
Hilde Coenen - coenenh@live.be +32 3 219 09 46
Religious offices
Description
Very close to the Mechelspleintje stands the Neo-Gothic Church of Saint George, built in 1853 by Suys to replace a 13th century Gothic church destroyed by the French in 1798.
Between its two 50 meter towers, a statue of Saint George crowns the triangular pediment. Inside, the church is richly decorated with mural paintings by Godfried Guffens and Jan Swerts, whose work took thirty years. Their scenes depict the life of Jesus and his suffering on the cross, symbolizing a church that fights and endures.
The statue of Our Lady of the Citadel, once kept in the Spanish citadel known as the Zuidkasteel, was moved here after the French Revolution. The Virgin’s cloak, embroidered in 1867 by Louis Van Moock and inspired by the cloak of Our Lady of Good Help in Saint Andrew’s Church, is adorned with about ten symbols of Marian virtues.
The gilded brass reliquary of the forty saints—protectors against cholera and infectious diseases—dates from 1878. The historic stained glass windows by Jean Baptist Capronnier (1871–75) have been fully restored. The remarkable 17th century procession statue, called Ouwe Voetboogh, also refers to Saint George.
If time allows, walk along the Lange Gasthuisstraat. Opposite the Mechelspleintje stands the Saint Elizabeth Hospital. Step through its portal and, on your right, you will find a small 15th century chapel where intimate chamber music concerts are regularly held.
Photos
Media
Remarkable elements
Equestrian statue
17th-century equestrian statue of Saint George and the dragon
Side chapel
Side chapel on the right with image of Our Lady of the Castle in solid oak. Round stained glass window.
The way of the cross
The Way of the Cross in 14 stations – Embossed copperwork by Lambrecht van Ryswyck (Antwerp, 3 May 1822 – Antwerp, 24 July 1894). Other works by him can also be found under the main altar.
Stained glass windows
Stained glass windows made by Jean-Baptiste Capronnier (Paris, 1 February 1814 – Schaerbeek, 31 July 1891). In the chancel, the Antwerp saints Norbert and Willibrord, and above the rood screen, among others, three patron saints of church music.
Façade
Richly decorated façade
Similar church: Sainte Clothilde in Paris.
Wall paintings
Wall paintings by Godfried Guffens (1823–1901) and Jan Swerts (1820–1879): fourteen scenes created between 1858 and 1871 using varied techniques. Remarkably, the inscriptions are in Dutch, uncommon in largely French speaking Belgium. Composer Peter Benoit (1823–1901) wrote his Drama Christi for the murals and conducted it at their inauguration on 27 November 1871.
