Saint John the Baptist at the Beguinage - Brussels    Share

A church, often overlooked by people, with a beautiful interior, and also a great place to stay outside of, on the square around it.

One of the few churches I've found open so far. Cool and quiet. There are some remarkable, very large wooden carvings and the pulpit is unlike anything I've seen. Confessionals are adorned with intricate carvings too. Presently there's are many well illustrated panels informing of the slave trade past and present. I would like to see well documented labelling on overseas foodstuffs, clothing and sports shoes proving they're not produced with slave labour

Nice area to have a walk on chill days

The Church of Saint John the Baptist at the Béguinage is a 17th century church Quartiers des Quais district of Brussels. The church is built in the Baroque style and the facade of the church is one of the most elaborate and beautiful Baroque facades I’ve ever seen. On the day I visited, much of the interior was devoted to an exhibit on modern slavery and very enlightenting. Some of the stonework inside are exceptional especially on the capitals which are adorned with a mixture of floral themes and cherubs. The two stained glass windows are also amazing, one of which depicts Jesus symbolically handing over the keys of heaven to Saint Peter. The church has a masterpiece painting by Theodoor van Loon, “Saint Ursula crowned by baby Jesus”, which just amazing for combining seriousness and the playfulness of the cherubs. There’s also masterful sculptures of John the Baptist, Jesus and Mary, above the high altar which are worth checking out. Should be on any itinerary for Brussels.

The Church of Saint John the Baptist at the Béguinage (French: Saint-Jean-Baptiste au Béguinage, Dutch: Sint-Jan-de-Doper op Het Begijnhof) is a Roman Catholic parish church located in Brussels, Belgium. Attributed to the Flemish architect Lucas Faydherbe, the building is a notable illustration of the Italian-influenced Flemish Baroque style of the 17th century. The church was part of the beguinage Notre-Dame de la Vigne of Brussels.