Interior of Sint-Pieterskerk Leuven, Belgium

Walking into the Interior of Sint-Pieterskerk Leuven felt like walking into a different world! From Hasselt we set off for Leuven. Leuven is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites of Belgium. The 50 meter high tower (which was meant to be 169 meters but was never completed) of St. Peter’s church is included in UNESCO’s list of Belfries of Belgium and France in 1999. The belfry, the third tower in the urban landscape, symbolizes the power of the aldermen; they represent the influence and wealth of the towns.

Saint Peter’s Church Leuven

Doors of Saint Peter’s Church Leuven

History: The church has a cruciform floor plan. The first church on the site was made of wood and presumably founded in 986. It burned down in 1176. Construction of the present Gothic edifice, significantly larger than its predecessor, was begun in 1425. In 1497 the building was practically complete, but modifications continued. The church suffered severe damage in both World Wars. In 1914 a fire caused the collapse of the roof and in 1944 a bomb destroyed part of the northern side. Chapels inside are the tombs of several respected figures and their kin.

Interior of Sint-Pieterskerk Leuven

Interior of Sint-Pieterskerk Leuven

St. Peter: Roman Catholic tradition holds that Jesus established St. Peter as the first pope (Matthew 16:18). Jesus also gave him “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:19), which is why he is often depicted at the gates of heaven in art and popular culture. St. Peter is a very revered saint among Catholics.

Interior, Church Furnishings: Here is a small virtual tour through the interior of St. Peter’s church Leuven. This is one of those quiet churches where you just feel like being alone for sometime and soak in the peace. In terms of seeing things around in the church there are plenty of marvels. The intricate work on walls, wooden carved structures, statues, paintings; all are worth hovering around and taking a good look.

Saint Peter’s Church Leuven architecture

Interior of St Peter's Church Leuven

Interior of St Peter’s Church Leuven

Baroque Pulpit

The large and elaborate oak pulpit that we get to see today was transferred from the abbey church of Ninove. It is a 17th century work by the Flemish sculptor Jacques Bergé. This Baroque pulpit in oak is a total work of art of which the parts (support, bowl, staircase, soundboard) are forged into one sculptural whole. Observe the lower portion, there is carved life-size representation of Norbert of Xanten falling from a horse.

Norbert of Xanten falling from a horse

Norbert of Xanten falling from a horse

Nicolaas de Bruyne’s 1442 sculpture of the Madonna.

Madonna in Interior of Sint-Pieterskerk Leuven

Saint Peter’s Church Leuven Madonna seated in Sedes Sapientiae

ADDRESS: Grote Markt 1 3000, Leuven, Belgium
TIMINGS: Daily – 10 AM to 4.30 PM, Wednesday – closed, Sunday – 11 AM to 4.30 PM.
TICKETS: This is a free entry.

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Interior of St Peter's Church Leuven

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