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.
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
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
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
Nicolaas de Bruyne’s 1442 sculpture of the Madonna.
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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Madonna's face is so serene, nice capture
Beautiful shots. It has such high ceilings!
Bellissime fotografie! buona serata…ciao
Good job getting those shots are they were great shots …love the Madonna so lovely…you take me to nice places Indrani.
Imposing structure..Must feel awesome to be inside it..! Nice work indrani..!
Indeed, this church exudes a feeling of peace, Indrani. I loved being able to visit, vicariously. The Madonna is so beautiful.
This reminds me of Westminster Abbey , Notre Dame, and the other cathedrals I have seen in Europe. I love them and could spend an entire year going from one to the other and never get bored. The sculptures, and nave, and the Madonna are awesome. genie
So beautiful Indrani!
Love your captures of this beautiful church…
Greetings from Holland,
Anna :-))
A truly beautiful place…thanks for posting these images.
europe's churches are always an interesting place to visit. ^0^
tnx for showing us around.
A nice virtual tour inside the cathedral Indrani! The statues look amazing!
Wow – what a magnificent church!
What a beautiful, tranquil place Indrani! I think, I could roam in around there for hours…
Yes, A really nice photo, good framing.
Splendid church, all very fine images, Indrani!
What a beautiful church. I can understand the peaceful sense of quiet. The pulpit is amazing.
beautiful captures all!!
Wonderful tour of the beautiful Church.
Lovely images.
What a beautiful place! And being able, through your superb captures, to soak in the peace is wonderful indeed! Thank you for sharing, Indrani, as always!
Sylvia