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Church · Mechelen, Antuérpia
Sint-Janskerk
Gothic church near Mechelen Cathedral, featuring the triptych The Adoration of the Magi, which Rubens completed inside the church itself, and a Baroque interior rich in carved wood.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Sint-Janskerk
Sint-Janskerk stands on Sint-Janskerkhof, about 200 metres from Sint-Rombout Cathedral. It was one of Mechelen's wealthiest parishes because members of the Great Council, the highest court in the Low Countries at the time, lived nearby.
The highlight is Rubens's triptych over the high altar. The central panel shows The Adoration of the Magi; the wings depict the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist. Rubens finished the work in the church itself, and tradition holds that the Virgin's face is that of Isabella Brant, his first wife. A mechanism behind the side panels rotates the paintings from time to time so that all scenes are displayed.
The rest of the interior lives up to that: craftsmen's benches with intricate carvings, works by Mechelen sculptors such as Lucas Faydherbe and Theodoor Verhaegen, and the Chapel of the Sacrament, dated 1548, built by the wealthiest members of the Great Council and containing the tomb of Lambert de Briaerde, president of the court.
On the first floor of the tower, behind the organ case, two large 14th-century wall paintings of Saint Christopher and Saint George were found. They can only be seen on a guided tour.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 30 to 45 minutes.
Best time
The church usually opens in the afternoon; check which days before you go. From April to October it stays open a little later than in winter. Check opening times before visiting.
How to get there
It's on Sint-Janskerkhof, about 200 metres northeast of the cathedral and a short walk from the Hof van Busleyden. From Mechelen station to the Grote Markt is about a 15-minute walk.
Tip
Spend a few minutes in front of the altar: with the mechanism that rotates the panels you can see different scenes of the triptych. Combine this visit with the Hof van Busleyden, a short walk away, and with the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-over-de-Dijlekerk to see the city's two Rubens works.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Sint-Janskerk
Which Rubens painting is in Sint-Janskerk?
The triptych The Adoration of the Magi, over the high altar, with the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist and of Saint John the Evangelist on the side panels.
Does Sint-Janskerk open in the morning?
It normally opens in the afternoon, Tuesday to Sunday. Check the opening hours before you go.
Where is the church?
On Sint-Janskerkhof, about 200 meters from the cathedral of Sint-Rombout, near the Hof van Busleyden.