Carolus Borromeo Church

The Carolus Borromeo Church (Sint-Carolus Borromeuskerk) is a magnificent Jesuit church situated on the picturesque Hendrik Conscienceplein in Antwerp. Completed between 1615 and 1621, it is considered the quintessential Baroque church of the Low Countries and a profound symbol of the Catholic Counter-Reformation.

Its breathtaking façade, inspired by the Gesu church in Rome, was largely influenced by the renowned painter Peter Paul Rubens, who also designed much of its opulent interior, including altar pieces and ceiling murals. Originally, the church boasted an astounding 39 ceiling paintings by Rubens, which tragically perished in a devastating fire caused by lightning in 1718.

Despite this loss, the church retains its grand allure with exquisite wood carvings, a majestic high altar that features a unique mechanism to swap the altarpiece painting throughout the liturgical year, and stunning marble work. It serves not only as a place of worship but as a monument to Antwerp's Golden Age and the enduring legacy of Rubens.