🇧🇪 Antwerp
St. Charles Borromeo Church
Must-See
★ 4.6 · 4k reviews
St. Charles Borromeo Church (Dutch: Sint-Carolus Borromeuskerk) is a church in central Antwerp, located on the Hendrik Conscience square. It was built in 1626 as the Jesuit church of Antwerp, which was closed in 1773. It was rededicated in 1779 to Saint Charles Borromeo. The church was formerly known for 39 ceiling pieces by Rubens that were lost in a fire when lightning struck the church on 18 July 1718.
Visitor Info
Rating
★ 4.6 3,500 reviews
Visit Time
~30 min
Best Time
Daytime
Insider Tips
- · Look closely at the baroque interior and side chapels
- · A short stop works well while walking between the historic core and museums
Free on iOS
Explore all 13 places in Antwerp — download Promenario free
Offline maps and every place in Antwerp, in your pocket.
Get on App Store →
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this church linked to Rubens? ▾
Rubens designed the facade and contributed ceiling paintings when the church was completed in 1626; most of the original Rubens canvases were destroyed in a 1718 fire but his architectural contribution survives.
When was the church built? ▾
Built between 1615 and 1621 and consecrated in 1621, it served as the Jesuit church of Antwerp before the Jesuit order was suppressed in 1773.
Can I go inside? ▾
Yes, the church is open to visitors outside of Mass times and entry is free.
What architectural style is it? ▾
The church is considered one of the finest examples of Flemish Baroque architecture, with a richly decorated facade featuring two towers and elaborate stone sculpture.
Explore by theme
Also in Antwerp
Promenario
St. Charles Borromeo Church — offline map & tips