Church of St-Andrew

Church of Saint Andrew

The St.-Andries church is propably the least known church amongst the tourists. This church was founded at the beginning of the 16th century by the Augustinian Fathers. Before the nave was completed they were stopped by the governement because they showed sympathy for their fellow friar, Martin Luther. It was Margareth of Austriawho then decided to use the building as a parish church. The parish adopted the patron Saint Andrew of the House of Burgundy, as a token of gratitude to

Margareth of Austria. In 1566 the church came under attack of the Calvinist iconoclasts and the guilded statue of St. Andrew was destroyed. In 1585 the church was given back to the catholic community. Despite the restoration on the church, the tower collapsed in 1755. It was replaced in Baroque style and was used as a lookout post for King Leopold I during the struggle for Belgian independence. In 1962 the tower was again rebuilt and the church was completely renovated. The high altar attracts the most attention but also the beautiful pulpit is a top atraction. It stages Jezus talking to the fishermen Andrew and Peter, who were called to follow him and became his apostles. The realistic reproduction of the people and their work material is simply amazing.

Address : St. Andriesstraat 5, 2000 Antwerp

Opening hours : 14.00 till 17.00 hrs , monday to sunday from the 1st of May untill the 30th of September.

No entrance fee.