St. Catherine's Church

St. Catherine's Church is a brick and sandstone building in Brabantine Gothic style that rises prominently above the town. The interior contains ornate choir benches, large monumental gravestones, and a collection of tapestries that decorate the walls and give the space character.

Construction started in 1525 under architect Rombout II Keldermans and was funded by local nobility who wanted a grand building. The structure was heavily damaged during World War II and then rebuilt in the following years.

The seven large stained glass windows inside tell stories of Catholic faith and fill the church with colored light throughout the day. These windows are among the first things people notice when entering, shaping how the interior feels at different times.

You can visit on your own or join a guided tour that explains the architecture and interior details. The best time to visit is around midday when sunlight shines through the windows and illuminates the colored glass and stone.

The spire was destroyed by explosives in 1944 but was completely rebuilt afterward, making the structure a symbol of recovery and resilience. Few visitors realize that the tower they see today dates from the 1950s, not from the original construction period.

Location: Hoogstraten

Architects: Rombout II Keldermans

Architectural style: Brabantine Gothic

GPS coordinates: 51.40083,4.76194

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:29