Peter Paul Rubens was heavily involved in the design of the church facade and the decoration of the ceiling.
The church was originally dedicated to St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order.
The ceiling paintings were executed by Rubens and Anthony van Dyck but were lost in a devastating lightning-induced fire in 1718.
The unique pulley system for changing altarpieces remains fully functional and is still used today.
The original design included marble decorations and a grand, ornate interior intended to showcase the wealth and intellectual prestige of the Jesuits.
Sint-Carolus Borromeuskerk is a 17th-century Jesuit church noted for its unique mechanism that rotates the altarpieces. Built between 1615 and 1621, it is considered one of the earliest examples of Baroque architecture in the Low Countries. The facade was designed by Pieter Huyssens with contributions from Peter Paul Rubens, who also provided many of the original paintings. The interior features 39 ceiling paintings designed by Rubens, though these were largely destroyed in a fire in 1718. The current altarpiece rotation system allows the church to display different religious paintings throughout the liturgical calendar. The building sits on the Hendrik Conscienceplein, a car-free square named after a famous Flemish author. It survived the dismantling of the Jesuit order in the 18th century and served as a parish church for the surrounding neighborhood.
From the center of Hendrik Conscienceplein, capturing the full ornate facade against the sky.
Check the official website for the rotation schedule if you wish to see the mechanism in action.
Walk the perimeter of the Hendrik Conscienceplein to view the architectural details of the facade from different angles.
Look for the modest entrance to the small, historically preserved chapel located adjacent to the main building.
Do not mistake the nearby Cathedral of Our Lady for this church; they are distinct architectural sites.
Closed on Mondays. Open daily otherwise, but may close temporarily for private ceremonies or liturgical services.
Maintain a quiet tone; remove hats; avoid photography during active services.
