ANTWERP : St. Paul's Church

St. Paul’s Church was originally part of a vast Dominican cloister. It was consecrated in 1571 as a replacement for a previous house of worship. But disaster struck here as well and on several occasions. After the fire of 1679, a new baroque tower was built. The paintings were plundered in the French period but returned in 1815. Great damage was also done during the Belgian Revolution (1830) and by a fire in 1968. On that occasion, those living round about risked their lives to save the works of art from the fire.

The church has been restored and the magnificent interior is again on view to the public : more than 50 paintings, more than 200 sculptures, splendid baroque altars and carved church furnishings which are some of the most beautiful in the world. Scores of Antwerp masters are represented here : Rubens, Van Dyck, Jordaens, Francken, De Vos, Quellin, Kerrick, Verbruggen, Van Baurscheit, Van Mildert, etc.
The organ dates from the seventeenth-century but has repeatedly been restored and enlarged. It is one of the most important in the country.
Next to the church (corner Veemarkt-Zwartzustersstraat) there is an eighteenth-century Calvary which is well worth seeing.

In the garden next to the church is a magnificent Calvary, consisting of 63 rock statues, and crowned with a crucified Jesus. The Calvary dates from 1697-1734)

The "Adoration of the Shepherds" by P.P. Rubens

Location:  Veemarkt  - 2000 Antwerp 
Admission : Free
Opening hours : May 1st to September 30th : 2 p.m - 5 p.m. (Closed during services)

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