Saint Gummarus Church

Originally there was only a chapel on the site, which got converted into a parish church halfway the 13th century. In the course of the 15th century, the church was enlarged to a full-fledged Gothic church. The building was gravely damaged after the explosion of Zandpoort in 1546 and by the Geuzen during the 16th century. After this, the church was used as military base and stable over a period of five years. It was rededicated in 1585. In 1645, the church was incorporated into the nearby Orators’ Monastery, which from then on provided the parish services. The building was sold in 1799, but returned to service in 1803 and got restored in 1890.

This Gothic church was built in the 14th century and thoroughly renovated around 1400-1450. The Fonteskapel (Fontes Chapel) was added in the 16th century and the Sint-Jozefkapel (Saint Joseph Chapel) in 1673. During the 18th century, the church was richly decorated. The moderate style that characterizes the church today is the result of a thorough restoration in the neo-Gorthic tradition during the 19th and 20th century.

The Beguinage Church in Mechelen was built between 1629 and 1647. It was designed by Pieter Huyssens and Jacques Francart. It has a beautiful baroque facade of Italian influence.