Saint Gertrude's Church

Matthys de Wayere

Choir pews

GFreihalter - Wikimedia (CC)

Halfmaartstraat, Leuven

Saint Gertrude’s Church’s spire without any nails is considered one of the seven wonders of the city of Leuven. It is where you will come across superb choir stalls, decorated with nearly five hundred carved relief sculptures. Highly recommended!

Johan Bakker - Wikimedia (CC)

Saint Gertrude's Church

Saint Gertrude’s Church, which was built around 1220, was originally an abbey church serving a community of regular canons. The prosperous abbey, with its vast holdings of land, farms and vineyards, also wielded considerable political power. Its prelate was a member of the States of Brabant, the governing body that represented the interests of the clergy. Architecturally, the church belongs to the Gothic period. The spire, which was designed around 1453 by master builder Jan van Ruysbroeck, is unique: carved entirely from stone, without the use of wood or nails. It is considered one of the seven wonders of the city of Leuven.

Choir pews, Matthys de Wayere

496 impressive relief sculptures adorn the choir stalls in Saint Gertrude's Church. The Brussels woodcarver Matthys de Wayere created them around 1540, commissioned by the prelate Pieter Was. These masterpieces of late Gothic art exude an almost extravagant sense of decoration. Each piece of furniture is embellished down to the finest detail. The effigies depict Biblical figures, scenes from the church’s history and the story of the abbey. Canons gathered daily in these pews for Liturgy of the Hours prayers. With their rank and seniority reflected in their assigned permanent seats, they took turns chanting about the Bible, the lives of saints and works of the Church Fathers. It was their main mission as prebendaries of the church.

Johan Bakker - Wikimedia (CC)