Leuven - St. Peter's Church

On Leuven's Grote Markt stands the city's oldest church, St. Peter's Church. The church is a true work of art, both inside and out. St. Peter's Church is considered a highlight of Brabantian Gothic architecture, boasting a wealth of artistic treasures.

Construction of the church began around 1425 on the site of an earlier Romanesque church from the year 986, of which only the crypt remains. The old 10th-century church had been ravaged by fire and later demolished.

The Sint-Pieterskerk is a large building measuring 93 metres in length, 28 metres in width, and with a vault height of 25 metres. Architects involved include Sulpitius van Vorst (1375-1439), Jan II Keldermans (1375-1445), and Matthijs de Layens (c. 1420-1483).

One of the most beautiful artworks in the church is the 15th-century Sedes Sapientiae (Seat of Wisdom) from 1442 by the Brussels woodcarver Nicolaas De Bruyne. It is a depiction of Mary, seated on a throne, with her child on her lap. The artist copied and enlarged an earlier 13th-century sculpture. This resulted in one of the most valuable statues in the church. However, in 1944, during the Second World War, Leuven was bombed. The city suffered a great deal of damage, as did the church. The sculpture was destroyed, and subsequently, a replica was placed in St. Peter's Church.

In the imposing church, there is a side chapel housing the space dedicated to Fiere Margriet, also known as Margaret of Leuven (1207-1225). She is a well-known folk saint in Leuven.

In another side chapel lie the graves of Duke Henry I of Brabant (c.1165-1235) and his wife Matilda of Boulogne, Duchess of Brabant (1170-1210). She married Henry at the age of 9. Their daughter, Maria of Brabant (c.1190-1260), also lies in a tomb there.

After a multi-year restoration period, the monumental church building has been open to admiration, both inside and out, since 2020.

St. Peter's Church is located at Grote Markt 1 in the centre of Leuven, a city with hundreds of monuments.