FLEMISH MASTERS IN SITU
Experience our Flemish Masters where they're truly at home.
Van Eyck and Rubens. Surrealists and expressionists. Old and contemporary Masters. Here in Flanders is where they all lived, worked and found their inspiration. Many of their masterpieces are on display in a truly unique location – the original place where the masters created those very works and where you too can spend some time in their shoes. Welcome to the Master Tours.
MASTERS OF IMAGINATION
and about in Leuven
Jan-PieterMinckelersstraat
MASTERS OF IMAGINATION
Out and about in Leuven
Religious art is unique. The masterpieces of that type bring religious stories to life in a powerful, visual way and express what words are unable to convey. The churches, beguinages and abbeys in and around Leuven are home to some true gems of religious art. You can discover them all by following the ‘Masters of Imagination’ route. TIP: at each location, always find your way to the listening posts. There, you can hear more information about the masterpiece in that particular place* *Not present in the Message Chapel and St Peter’s Church
ABDIJ VAN PARK 7 LEUVEN
At this location, which is one of the best abbey sites in Western Europe, you will come face to face with the legacy of the Norbertines: an impressive collection of literature and art. In addition to the abbey and its associated church, the site also includes a farm complex and an expansive area of meadows and ponds.
DISCOVER HERE:
• The stucco ceiling by Jan Christiaen Hansche.
GROTE MARKT 1 LEUVEN
Unlike anyone else, Dieric Bouts understood how to translate stories from the Bible into masterpieces that would last an eternity. In St Peter's Church, you will find two paintings by this master painter from Leuven, along with other major works.
DISCOVER HERE:
• The triptych depicting ‘The Martyrdom of St Erasmus’ by Dieric Bouts
• The ‘Altarpiece of the Holy Sacrament’ by Dieric Bouts
• The ‘Nobleman Triptych’ by a follower of Rogier van der Weyden
• The ‘Triumphal Cross Ensemble’ from the studio of Jan Borman II
• Relic sculptures by Jan Wynants
HEVERLEE
The Message Chapel is a truly complete work of art that resulted from a collaboration between the architect Flor Van Reeth, the glazier Eugeen Yoors and the interior designer Rie Haan. Its monumental stained glass windows are a shining example of the glazier's craft in Flanders.
DISCOVER HERE:
• The stained glass windows by Eugeen Yoors
The spire of St Gertrude's Church is often referred to as ’the tower without nails’, because it was constructed entirely of stone and therefore doesn't include any wood or nails. A visit to this ‘seventh wonder of Leuven’ is an absolute must, due to its masterful choir stalls decorated with almost five hundred carved relief sculptures.
DISCOVER HERE:
• The choir stalls by Matthys de Wayere
NAAMSESTEENWEG 355
HALFMAARTSTRAAT LEUVEN
PARK ABBEY
ST PETER'S CHURCH
ST GERTRUDE'S CHURCH
MESSAGE CHAPEL
This masterpiece of early Gothic architecture is situated in the centre of a UNESCO World Heritage site – the Large Beguinage of Leuven. During restoration work, some beautiful murals came to light, the oldest of which date back to the 14th century.
DISCOVER HERE:
• Murals depicting the parable of the wise and unwise virgins.
’Saint Quentin's Church is the most beautiful church in Leuven,’ wrote the famous humanist, Justus Lipsius. Its late Gothic architecture certainly is a major factor behind that, as is its interior, which is decorated with a masterpiece by the former city painter, Jan Willems.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘The Last Supper’ by Jan Willems
5 TIPS ALONG THE WAY
Park Abbey is over 900 years old. You simply have to put aside a few hours to go on a brilliant walk in the grounds. The ‘10 perspectives walk’, for example, during which –as its name already suggests – you will get to see the 10 most beautiful views of the abbey and its surroundings.
This church has been a place of pilgrimage since as long ago as the 17th century. Thousands of pilgrims came here to venerate Saints Marculf, Catherine, Cornelius and Barbara. The well-known Flemish baroque painter Pieter-Jozef Verhaghen depicted the rich history of St Amandus church in two altar paintings.
DISCOVER HERE:
• The two altarpieces by Pieter-Jozef Verhaghen
This modest parish church houses a hidden gem: the Sacrament Tower, attributed to the famous Renaissance artist Cornelis Floris II de Vriendt. This unique masterpiece is more than 7 metres high and consists of over 100 architectural components.
DISCOVER HERE:
• The ‘Sacrament Tower’ by Cornelis Floris II de Vriendt
A stone's throw away from St Peter's Church is the exciting M Leuven. Be sure to take a look on the museum's website, where you can also find information about the programmes on offer in St Peter's Church.
And on the subject of St Peter's Church: the Leuven Beer Adventure walk and cycle route also passes by this historic building.
Still not ready to set off for home? The Martin’s Klooster hotel can provide you with a comfy bed for the night in a unique location. And what's great to know is that this hotel has achieved the Green Key Label. That means that your stay in the hotel will be sustainable from start to finish.
Yet another great recommendation: the Horst Route. This will take you through the glowing Hageland district – including its vineyards! – to Horst Castle
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST'S CHURCH
ST QUENTIN'S CHURCH
ST CATHERINE'S CHURCH
ST AMANDUS CHURCH
THE
(ERPS-KWERPS)
(GLABBEEK)
Cycle hire
Charging point for e-bikes
Cycle route with node
Dieric Bouts Route
Meerdaal Route
Horst Route
Are you a heritage fan who enjoys walking or cycling? If so, these routes will be just up your street:
• The Dieric Bouts Route (St Peter’s Church, Park Abbey, Church of St John the Baptist)
• The Meerdaal Route (St Peter’s Church, Park Abbey, Church of St John the Baptist)
• The Highlights of Leuven Walking Route (St Peter’s Church, Church of St John the Baptist)
For more tourist information: visitleuven.be/en To experience more Flemish Masters
Want to recall the pleasures of your Master Tour? You can view the interiors of Leuven’s seven most beautiful churches right from your armchair at home. The imposing 360° images can be seen on the Visit Leuven website.
VIRTUAL VISIT
LEUVEN’S CHURCHES