Oostakker Basilica, Gothic Revival basilica in Oostakker, Ghent, Belgium

Oostakker Basilica is a neo-Gothic church built in 1876 to plans by E. Van Hoecke-Peeters, modified by Jean-Baptiste Bethune. Its grey-brown stone front tower carries a tall dark spire, lancet openings, a clock face and a pointed window; the side shows a lower slate roof and rows of traceried windows. The furniture is also neo-Gothic, designed by Bethune.

In 1873 the Marquise de Courtebourne-de Nédonchel built a Lourdes grotto in the garden of her Slotendries château. After Pieter De Rudder's healing in 1874 drew pilgrims, a neo-Gothic church by E. Van Hoecke-Peeters, modified by J. B. Bethune, was built in 1876 and consecrated in 1877 by Bishop Hendrik Frans Bracq. It became a basilica in 1924.

This basilica draws visitors from the wider region who come to pray and spend time in reflection at a site devoted to pilgrimage. People gather in different areas throughout the interior to practice their faith and find moments of quiet.

You can visit during worship services or stop by outside these times to spend a quiet moment inside. Several peaceful areas throughout the interior offer spaces for personal prayer and reflection.

The carillon in one of the two towers holds 49 bells cast by the Michiels foundry in 1954. Its keyboard was removed during a restoration in 1978 and has never been put back, so the bells hang silent.