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Travel Tips

Belgium

Belgium

From north to south
 
 Maaseik:
- Church treasury of the Sint-Catharinakerk. With the Codex Eyckensis, the oldest gospel manuscript of the Benelux, dating from the Carolingian period (750-900 AD) and the oldest remaining European carpets (Anglo-Saxon) from the early 8th century. 
 
Bruges:
- The 12th-century Saint John’s hospital with Memling Museum famous for its works by Flemish primitive painter Hans Memling.
- Saint Salvators Cathedral. Bruges' oldest parish church (12th-15th century). Worth seeing are the gobelins, mausoleums in the choir, rood-loft with organ (1619-1717), choir stalls and numerous fine paintings. In the cathedral Stations of the Cross (2010) by Jac Bisschops. 
- Cathedral’s treasury: Paintings by, among others, Dirk Bouts, Hugo van der Goes, manuscripts, copper memorial plaques and silver and gold artefacts.
- Groeninge Museum. Artistic works from the 15th to 21st century with an emphasis on the history of visual arts in Flanders.
- Magdalenakerk, Schaarstraat. Contemporary art forms an important point of departure to create a spiritual place of meaning in the church building. www.yot.be 
- Manna Kunsthuis, Heilige-Geeststraat 3, Brugge. Sculpture, paintings and calligraphy are being exhibited; cards, art books and little art objects are being sold. This is ‘religious’ art – either based on Christian iconography or religious in a broad sense. Mon-Sa 14-18.
- In the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Onbevlekt Ontvangen Church in Assebroek, which is part of Bruges, hangs the tryptich Joseph´s Dream by Joost Gevaert. 
 
Jabbeke:
- Prov. Museum Constant Permeke (PMCP), Gistelsesteenweg 341 with the work of one of the masters of Flemish expressionism: Constant Permeke (1886-1952). The museum has more than 150 artworks: 80 paintings, almost the complete sculptural work of Permeke, some big drawings, plus some works by his father and his contemporaries. Closed on Monday.
 
Malle:
- Sint-Pauluskerk by architect Marc Dessauvage (1931-1984), who designed 15 churches. In the woods of the famous abbey. In this church a crucifix by Rik van Schil.  
 
Baarle-Hertog:
Candle Museum, Kerkplein, Baarle-Hertog. This museum is dedicated to the art candles of the Friesian artist Frits Spies. The candles have diverse religious themes: from Archangel Michael fighting with the devil to Spies’ replica of Michelangelo. Everything carried out in beeswax.  
 
Antwerp:
- Onze Lieve Vrouwe Cathedral.
- Museum Mayer van den Bergh with works from the 12th - 19th century. 
- Rubenshuis: www.rubenshuis.be 
- Museum voor Schone Kunsten.
- Sculpture park Middelheim, with 20th-century and contemporary sculptures. www.middelheimmuseum.be 
- The Sint Carolus Borromeus church. It is the church of Rubens par excellence. Not only did Rubens diligently execute paintings for it, he also designed many of the sculptural decorations. The construction took only six years (1615-1621). Its patron saint was Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order. Perhaps the most outstanding feature is the main altar, a grandiose stage set with its still interchangeable paintings. Seeing, contemplating is after all a key concept in St. Ignatius’ instruction and meditational method. Also exhibitions.
- Sint-Theresiakerk in Luithagen has Stations of the Cross by Albert Servaes.
- Sint-Anna-ten-drieën, Sint-Anna-ten-drieën, Hanegraefstraat Antwerpen-Left bank, organizes expositions of contemporary art (Willem Vermandere, Angela Glajcar, Veerle Rooms). The church from the 60’s was designed by architect Jos Ritzen. Windows by Gabriel Loire (1904-1996). www.anna3.be 
- Sint-Walburgiskerk, Volkstraat 41, Antwerpen. Designed by architect Flor Van Reeth who belonged to the progressive artists group called the Pilgrim Movement (1924-35). This church (1937) is a fine example of the aims of this movement. Windows by Eugeen Yoors.
- Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens, Museumlaan 14, Deurle has a special collection of works by Flemish artists like James Ensor, Gustave en Leon De Smet, Valerius De Saedeleer, Constant Permeke, Albert Servaes, Frits Van den Berghe, Gustave van de Woestyne and contemporary artists. www.museumdd.be 
 
Mol:
Jakob Smitsmuseum, Sluis 155a, Mol with a collection that consists primarily of works by Jakob Smits and the Molse School. www.jakobsmits.be 
 
Sint-Amands:
- Het Gemeentelijk Kunsthuis en museum Romain De Saegher, Winkelstraat 38, is the former house of the artist Romain De Saegher (1907-1986) showing an overview of the rich oeuvre of the artist. Portraits, landscapes, flowers, interiors and religious scenes. Romain painted two series of the Stations of the Cross, in 1977 and 1983. These are exhibited in the museum as well.
 
Ostende:
- James Ensor House, Vlaanderenstraat 27, historical home, art museum.
 
Koksijde:
- Abbey Museum Ten Duinen. With exhibitions.
 
Waasmunster:
- Abbey Roosenbergabdij designed by Dom Hans van der Laan. Built in 1975 by the Dutch Benedictine monk and architect Dom Hans van der Laan. Pure and minimalistic architecture with natural materials and beautiful colours. 
  
Ghent:
- Saint Bavo Cathedral and The Ghent Altarpiece or Adoration of the Mystic Lamb,  completed 1432. The Ghent Altarpiece by Jan van Eyck is a very large and complex Early Netherlandish polyptich panel painting which was once in the Joost Vijdt chapel at Saint Bavo Cathedral, but was later moved for security reasons to the chapel of the cathedral.
- The Ghent Museum of Fine Arts (MSK) with art especially from Belgium and the Netherlands of the Middle Ages to the 20th century. www.mskgent.be 
- Exhibitions in the Sint-Niklaaskerk.
- Silence chapel plus artworks were designed by Jac Bisschops in the hospital of AZ Maria Middelares in 2015. Open daily.
 
Deinze:
- Museum van Deinze en Leiestreek, L. Matthyslaan 3-5, Deinze with a large collection Flemish 19th and 20th-century art.
 
Latem (Sint-Martens Latem and Deurle):
- Latem is known as an artist village. From the end of the 19th century there have been several important artists groups. The first Latem School, the so called mystic symbolists, was formed by Albert Servaes, George Minne, Gustave van de Woestijne, Valerius De Saedeleer en Albijn Van den Abeele. The second school was formed in 1905 around the expressionists Constant Permeke, Jos Verdegem, Gust De Smet, Leon De Smet en Frits Van den Berghe. Later a third and fourth Latem groups of artists followed.
- In this village on the banks of the river Leie here and there traces can be found of its artistic past. In the ‘artiestenzolder’ (artists attic) of the town hall there are sometimes expositions. Sometimes a sculpture route is set out. The grave of George Minne can be found near the St. Martinus church. There are also two small museums:                                                                         
- Museum Gust de Smet, Gustaaf De Smetlaan 1, Sint-Martens-Latem (Deurle). In the former house and studio of Gust De Smet, well-known artist of the Latem School, is now a small museum with Works of Gust De Smet from the period of 1915 till his death (1943). Open: Wed. till Sunday from12 a.m. – 5 p.m.      
- Museum Gevaert-Minne, Kapitteldreef 45, in the former house of painter Gevaert, who was married to a daughter of sculptor Minne, hence the name 'E. Gevaert-Minne'. The museum shows a variety of works by the Latem masters. Shown also are the 14 stations of the second Stations of the cross series by A. Servaes (painted version). The museum may still be closed due to renovation.
 
Machelen-Zulte:
- Roger Raveel museum, Gildestraat 2-8, with work by Roger Raveel (1921), one of the most important post-war Belgian artists. Open Wednesday-Sunday. www.rogerraveelmuseum.be  
 
Machelen-aan-de-Leie:
- Roger Raveel designed the interior of the church.
 
Langemark:
- Kruisweg van de Liefde (Stations of the Cross of Love) by Luc Hoenraet (1941) in the Sint Pauluskerk.
 
Scherpenheuvel:
- The polyptich Passion and Resurrection by the French painter Arcabas (21 panels) in the Barokgang behind the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek. www.scherpenheuvel.be (NL, F, E)
 
Aarschot:
- Onze Lieve Vrouwe church: retable of Christ in the mystical wine press.
 
Hasselt:
- Exhibitions in the Cathedral.
- The chapel of the Clarenhof hosts exhibitions, concerts etc. Artist Nick Ervinck made a beautiful new ceiling in the chapel.  http://www.architectura.be/nl/nieuws/6463/clarenhof-de-sixtijnse-kapel-aan-de-demer
 
Leuven:
- St. Peter’s church; in the choir of the church is a Museum for Religious Art. In the museum The Last Supper by Dirk Bouts.
 
Heverlee:
- PARCUM offers temporary thematic exhibitions at the crossroads of religion, art and culture, often based around never shown before heritage from churches, abbeys and monasteries. Attention is paid in particular to the significance of these themes and this heritage in today's multi-religious and superdiverse society. As a museum for dialogue, PARCUM deliberately focuses on the interaction between contemporary (global) themes and religious heritage, between believers and non-believers, between different denominations and philosophies, between young people and the elderly, ... With this approach, PARCUM desires to stimulate engagement in visitors of various philosophical and cultural backgrounds. The museum positions itself as an open meeting place, a place for critical and creative thinking, for wonderment and development, for reflection and dialogue. PARCUM addresses issues of identity and creates new forms and contents to alleviate social tensions, for instance, by focusing on questions about interreligiousness and interculturalism, citizenship and personal development. https://www.parcum.be/en/about-parcum
 
Zoutleeuw:
- St Leonardus church – has a just about complete late medieval church interior with gothic paintings and sculptures. It is the only church in all of the Netherlands that was not affected by the iconoclasm of the 16th century, the French Revolution and the 20th century. With a sacrament tower of 18 meters high from 1552 and a candle stick of 6 meters high.
 
Sint-Truiden:
- The Museum of Flemish Friars Minor, Capucienessenstraat 1-3, provincial museum for religious art. The museum’s collection consists mainly of religious works of art: paintings (16-19th century), sculptures (14-19th century) icons, graphic work, liturgical silver and textiles, a Franciscan gradual (1515), devotionalia, relics, etc. www.museum-minderbroeders.be 

Tongeren:
- Teseum, the treasury museum of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe basilica of Tongeren, which has an extensive and rich collection. Treasury - Teseum

Dilbeek:
The Open Air Bruegelmuseum Dilbeek shows 12 reproductions of Bruegel paintings, placed along a signposted walking path starting at the church of Sint-Anna-Pede (Herdebeekstraat, Dilbeek). These reproductions are larger than the originals: the finest details become well visible. The museum is freely accessible at any time equaling a virtual visit to several museums within a few hours. http://www.toerismedilbeek.be

Brussels:                                                                                                                                                        
- Sint Michiels and Sint Goedele cathedral: every year four exhibitions of contemporary art.
- Exhibitions in the Sint-Niklaaskerk-aan-de-Beurs
- At the Nationale Basiliek van het Heilig-Hart in Koekelberg the Museum for Modern Religious Art. In this museum: Ronald Devolder, Thomas Lange, Geneviève Asse, Antoni Tàpies, Luc Hoenraet and Ton Frenken. www.basilicakoekelberg.be 
- At the Nationale Basiliek van het Heilig-Hart in Koekelberg also the Museum Zwartzusters with paintings, sculpture, silverware, furniture and lacework from the 14th – 19th century. www.basilicakoekelberg.be 
- FeliXart Museum, Kuikenstraat 6, Drogenbos (south side of Brussels). With work by Felix De Boeck (1898 – 1995) and exhibitions. Felix de Boeck belonged to the first modernistic artists of Belgium. The work of this Catholic artist is described as deeply religious. FeliXart
 
Geraardsbergen:
- HUGE - Museum Hunnegem-Geraardsbergen. In 2018 opened museum in the Romanesque church and the Paxzaal about the history of the church and the city of Geraardsbergen. http://www.MuseaHunnegem.be
 
Louvain-La-Neuve:
- In the chapel of the Dominican convent windows by Kim En Joong (1940).
 
Hoegaarden:
- Saint-Gorgonius church from 1754 in rococo style (the only church in Belgium in this style).
 
Liège:       
- Museum for Religious Art and Art of the Maas Area, Ilot Saint-George Quai de la Batte, Liège. 
- Treasury of the Cathedral, Rue Bonne-Fortune, Liège.
- In the Cathedral five windows by Kim En Joong made in 2013.
 
Namur:
- The Eglise St-Loup has richly decorated sand stone vaults.
- The Saint-Aubain cathedral is an impressive classicistic building. 
- Musée des Arts anciens du Namurois with the treasure of the 13th-century goldsmith Hugo d’Oignies, which is known as one of the seven 'world wonders' of Belgium. The treasure consists of 40 gospel manuscripts and many reliquaries. 
 
Cuesmes:
- Saint Remy, contemporary church built in 1996.
- La Maison du Marais, Rue du Pavillon 3, Cuesmes (Mons), the house were Vincent van Gogh lived between 1879 and 1880, invites visitors to follow Van Gogh's footsteps. Worth seeing: the original work "Les Bêcheurs" (1880). Here you can discover a complete scenography, an audiovisual show, Vincent's letters, faxes of his letters, etc.
 
Waha (Marche-en-Famenne):
- Six contemporary windows by Jean-Michel Folon in the Sint-Etienne Church. It is the oldest church in Wallonië (1050) with wooden sculptures from the 16th century by the Master of Waha. 
 
Bastogne (in province Luxemburg):
- Musée en Piconrue – Religious art and popular faith practices in Ardenne and Luxemburg, Place en Piconrue 2, Bastogne.
 
Chevetogne:
- Benedictine convent. An interesting place to visit for anyone interested in the Russian orthodox tradition. Next to the convent a copy of a Russian church has been built. The brothers celebrate the liturgy according to the orthodox tradition in this ‘Russian’ church and according to the catholic tradition in their chapel at the other side of the convent.
 
Ieper:
- The sculpture The Suffering Christ by the Flemish artist Adhémar Vandroemme (1917-2009) has been placed in the cathedral in 2018.