The Carolus Borromeus Church

This typical baroque church was built by the Jesuits between 1615 and 1621 to a design drawn up by their rector Francois Aguillon and Brother Peter Huyssens. Rubens played an important part in the decoration of the facade and the pinnacle of the tower but especially of the interior. However, thirty-nine ceiling paintings, the work of his studio, were lost in a fire in 1718. Most of the original marble was also destroyed.

But the apse of the main altar and the Mary Chapel were spared and still convey an impression of the church’s former splendor which in the light of the Counter-Reformation was expressly intended to revive the faith of believers, but especially of backsliders.

The present interior was created under the direction of Jan Peter van Baurscheit the Elder who also built the pulpit and the splendid casing for the Forceville organ. There are also sculptures and wood carvings by Michiel van der Voort, Andries de Nole and others.

A single painting hangs above the altar but it is not always the same one. An original mechanism which is still in working order makes it possible to change the paintings. An impressive spectacle.

Location

Hendrik Conscienceplein 6 - 2000 Antwerp

Admission - Opening hours

From Monday to Saturday : from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and bank holidays only open for worship.