Saint John's Church

The actual name of the Gothic white-sandstone Saint John's Church is the Church of Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist. It dates from the 15th century and with its 55.5m high spire, it was a point of orientation for travelling pilgrims. A past that lives on in its rich architecture and art collection. In 2008, the Flanders Heritage Agency discovered exceptionally well preserved 14th-century murals depicting Saint Christopher and Saint George behind the organ case on the first floor of the tower. Though this is only one example of the many other art treasures visitors can admire in the church.

For a long time, the parish of Saint John was the richest in Mechelen. So there are quite a few very special artworks to be found in its church. Peter Paul Rubens’s renowned baroque Triptych of the Three Wise Men adorns the altar, for example. It is a wonderful piece of craftsmanship showcasing his technical mastery. On the centre panel, depicting the Adoration of the Magi, the light of Jesus shines on the faces of His visitors. The panels on either side show us Saint John of Patmos, the martyrdom of John, the decapitation of Saint John the Baptist and the Baptism of Jesus. The back of the side panels has a nifty mechanism to turn the paintings so all the stories can be seen.