Basilica of Saint Servatius, Baroque basilica in Grimbergen, Belgium.
The Basilica of Saint Servatius is a baroque church built from 1660 to 1700 to plans by Gilbertus van Zinnik. It has a long choir, a transept with rounded arms, and a nave of only two bays, closed by a facade wall after funds ran out in 1725. A 45-metre dome rises over the crossing, and the bell tower reaches 58 metres.
The church was built between 1660 and 1700 under the supervision of architect Gilbertus van Zinnik during a period of baroque construction expansion. Its completion marked an era when the region was establishing new religious structures under Spanish control.
The church is dedicated to Saint Servatius of Tongern, and the Premonstratensian canons who founded the abbey in 1126 follow the rule of Augustine. The choir stalls carry carved figures of Norbertine saints, including the Gorcum martyrs Jacob Lacoupe and Adrian Jansen. A 1964 carillon of 48 bells, enlarged with a 49th in 1998, still sounds from the tower.
The church is part of Grimbergen Abbey, with the nave shortened to two bays and a 58-metre tower. The organ, built by Jean-Baptiste Forceville and completed in 1751, sits at the rear; a one-manual organ by Joris Potvlieghe has stood in the entrance area since 1999. The carillon in the tower has 49 bells, installed in 1964 with a 49th added in 1998.
The carillon tradition here is old: the Premonstratensians were early promoters of bell-playing, and a second carillon was cast in 1716 by the Antwerp founder William Witlockx, later enlarged to 41 bells before French occupiers stole them. The current instrument, installed in 1964 by Canon Feyen, has 48 bells, with a 49th added in 1998.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,242 contributors worldwide.