Sint-Ritakerk, church in Harelbeke, Belgium
The Sint-Ritakerk is a church in Harelbeke built in brutalist architecture with a striking concrete pyramid shape reaching about 100 feet (30 meters) high. The interior is open and spacious, with natural light entering through a skylight at the peak of the pyramid and polished concrete finishing the altar area.
The church was designed and built between 1961 and 1968 by architects Léon Stynen and Paul de Meyer. It was created to serve the growing community of Zandberg and reflect new liturgical ideas from the Second Vatican Council.
The Sint-Ritakerk takes its name from Saint Rita, venerated for her compassion and patience. The modern concrete structure differs sharply from traditional churches and reflects how the community embraced new forms of worship and gathering.
The church is open daily from morning until late afternoon but closed on Sundays. Tours are available for groups of up to 20 people lasting about an hour and a half, with visits supported by voluntary donations.
The supporting walls are only about 3.3 inches (8.5 centimeters) thick with wood-fibre cement insulation, making this a remarkably slender structure for its size. This minimalist material approach emphasizes the strength and simplicity of the concrete form.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
