Church: Saint James Church (Sint Jacobs Kerk), Antwerp

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If there is a church in Antwerp that deserves to be called ‘monumental’, then it must be the church of St. James where, in harmonious synthesis, you’ll find the powerful gothic (in the architecture) and the playful baroque (in the 17th and 18th century furniture and artwork).

It is the tomb of Peter Paul Rubens that attracts most visitors to this church. But there is much more besides, for St. James' Church is sumptuously decorated. The parish could certainly afford such opulence when the church was built (1491 - 1656) and the area inhabited by the upper middle classes, merchants and members of the aristocracy. They wanted to display their wealth by building a tower which was higher than that of the Cathedral. Hence the imposing base. However, that demonstration of rivalry ceased after 55 metres for financial reasons.

The parishioners managed to lavish their wealth with more success on the inside of the church. Here more than one hundred sorts of marble are to be found, which according to the eighteenth-century prefect from the Vatican, Cardinal Garampi, 'could scarcely have been worked more skilfully'. The walls are hung with works by all the great artists of the city.

The church has twenty-three altars. Rubens' tomb lies behind the main altar in the Chapel of Our Lady. The painting of 'Our Lady surrounded by saints' was painted by the artist himself for his memorial. Experts have pointed out that it is actually a family portrait with Rubens as St. George.

Opening times:
1 April - 31 October: Mon. -Sun.:14.00 -17.00
1 November - 31 March: Mon. - Sat.: 9.00 - 12.00
Closed on Sundays, on religious holidays and during services.

Admission fees:
normal: 2 euro
groups of 20 persons or more, students: 1.50 euro
children under 12 years: free

My special recommandation goes out
to this church. Why?Well this is the only
Antwerp church that survived the French
when they entered all of our churches and
destroyed everything what was in it.(1566)

This church is build 1491 till 1656 and has
got the most rich interior.Al the chapels
contain statues , paintings , woodcarvings
from important Antwerp painters and artists

This church also contains the grave of
Pieter Paul Rubens . Please have a look
at the painting he made for his own grave.

This place is so loaded with marble even the
father of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
was deeply impressed by it's beauty. In 1765
Wolfgang played on the forceville organ .

The exterior of the church hasn't been
completely finished and isn't that interesting...
So please pay those 2 euro and go in.

OPEN from first of april till 31th october.
14h till 17h. (if you lucky somebody might
be practising the organ - or not if you don't like that.)

This church has a very strong connection to the Belgium's famous painter Rubens. Five of his children were baptized here, the wedding of one of his daughters took placein Sint Jakobskerk, and tombs of some of his familiy members are found here as well, including is own. Took us a while to find Rubens' tomb in this gorgeous church, it is located right behind the altar (in case you'll be looking for it since this is the main attraction of the church).
Not always this church is open for visitors so you'll have to check the open hours yourself. Sometimes it is closed during private ceremonies ect. I was lucky to get inside only on my third visit in Antwerp.

If I had not looked for it I might not have found it. This church is located just outside the touristic part of the centre, in a rather neglected looking neighbourhood. This is a real shame, as it's an absolute beauty and for me one of the highlights of this city. It's a late-Brabantine Gothic church with an unfinished tower. I found the door closed, but inside is, among other things, the grave of painter P.P. Rubens.

Opposite the church was a big space where, as it seems, something's going to be build. I hope it'll add something positive to this part of the city as it should be bursting with activity.

Koorafsluiting 17 de eeuw
In Dutch, this church is known under the name "Sint Jacobskerk". It is the tomb of the Prince of Painting, Peter Paul Rubens, that attracts most visitors to this church. But there is much more besides, for St. James Church is sumptuously decorated. The parish could certainly afford such opulence when the church was built (1491-1656) and the area inhabited by the upper middle classes, merchants and members of the aristocrary.
They wanted to display their wealth by building a tower which was higher than that of the Cathedral. Hence the imposing base. However, that demonstration of rivalry ceased after 55 metres for financial reasons.
The parishioners lavished their wealth with more success on the inside of the church. Here more than one hundred sorts of marble are be found, which according to the eighteenth-century prefect from the Vatican, Cardinal Garampi, could scarcely have been worked more skillfully. The walls are hung with works by all the great artists of the city.

The Church has twenty-three altars. Rubens tomb lies behind the main altar in the Chapel of Our Lady. The painting Our Lady surrounded by saints was painted by him for his burial monument. Experts have pointed out that it is actually a family portrait with Rubens as St George

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St. Jacobskerk

Very impressive interior, with the grave of Pieter Paul Rubens and several other beautiful ornamented church interior!

The church was built between 1491-1656. The used more then 100 sorts of marble to built the church and it's interior. Nice from the outside, a real gem on the inside!

Take a visit to the Sint Jacobskerk (1491-1656) or in English, Saint James’ Church on the St.-Jacobsstraat 7-9 en Lange Nieuwstraat 73. It is a late-gothic church with renaissance influences and baroque interior. It is the tomb of P.P. Rubens, which attracts most visitors to this church. However, there is lot of more to see. Here more than one hundred sorts of marble are be found, which according to the eighteenth-century prefect from the Vatican, Cardinal Garampi, ‘could scarcely have been worked more skillfully’. All the great artists of the city hang the walls with their paintings. Notice as well that the Church has twenty-three altars.

See for more info and pictures in my St. Jacobskerk travelogue please…

Saint James Church
Sint Jacobs kerk
Ruben's tomb is here
you can find some 15th century stainglass window and a very unique baptizing piece of the 16th century (Rubens'kids where baptized on this one).