Religious sites in Leuven

Leuven's Sacred Sites

Leuven’s religious landscape spans centuries of architectural evolution, from the 15th-century Brabantine Gothic of St. Peter's Church to the grand Jesuit Baroque facade of Sint-Michielskerk. The city is home to significant monastic complexes like the Premonstratensian Park Abbey and the UNESCO-listed Groot Begijnhof. Notable sites include the medieval Sint-Jacobskerk, which blends Romanesque and Gothic styles, and Sint-Geertruiabdij, famous for its stone tower built without a single nail.

Leuven's Sacred Sites — Map

Filip Maljković / CC BY-SA 2.0

A

St. Peter's Church, Leuven

Saint Peter's Church in Leuven, Belgium, is a Roman Catholic church built in the 15th century in the Brabantine Gothic style.

B

Sint-Michielskerk

A 17th-century Baroque Jesuit church known for its monumental facade, which is considered one of the finest examples of Jesuit architecture in Belgium.

Homeros 29 / CC-BY-SA-3.0

C

Sint-Jacobskerk

A historic church combining Romanesque, Gothic, and Neoclassical elements. It was historically a significant stop for pilgrims on the route to Santiago de Compostela.

Title from the Detroit Publishing Co.,… / Public domain

D

SInt-Geertruikerk

A Gothic church and former abbey featuring an intricate openwork stone tower. The tower is famously constructed without the use of iron nails.

E

Saint Quentin's Church

Saint Quentin's Church is a Roman Catholic church located at the Naamsestraat in Leuven, Belgium.

F

Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Middelareskerk

A 20th-century parish church serving the local community in the Kessel-Lo district.

G

Sint-Annakerk

A Romanesque and Classical style church located in Oud-Heverlee, with origins dating back to the 12th century.

H

Sint-Agathakerk

A Roman Catholic parish church located in Wilsele-Putkapel.

I

Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ten-Predikheren

The oldest Gothic church in Leuven and one of the earliest examples of the style in Belgium, originally built for the Dominican order.

J

Celestijnenklooster - CBA

A former 16th-century monastery that has been repurposed as the Campus Library for Engineering and Architecture for KU Leuven.

K

Onbevlekt Hart van Mariakerk

A 20th-century Roman Catholic church located in the Terbank neighborhood.

L

Kapel met Kalvarie

A small historic chapel featuring a traditional Calvary representation.

M

Sint-Antoniuskapel

A historic chapel that houses the tomb of Saint Damien of Molokai, the famous Belgian missionary who served in Hawaii.

N

Kapel Blauwput

A local chapel serving the Blauwput district of Kessel-Lo.

O

Kapel van Bleydenberg

A historic chapel located in the northern outskirts of Leuven.

P

Sint-Kwintenkerk

A Roman Catholic parish church located in the Linden area.

Q

VBS Ter Bank Egenhoven

A former monastic site that currently serves as a primary school and educational facility.

Title from the Detroit Publishing Co.,… / Public domain

R

St Gertrude's Abbey, Leuven

St Gertrude's Abbey is a complex of former monastic buildings in Leuven, Belgium.

Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer) / CC BY-SA 4.0

S

Groot Begijnhof, Leuven

The Groot Begijnhof of Leuven is a well preserved beguinage and completely restored historical quarter containing a dozen streets in the…

Rienbouw / CC BY-SA 4.0

T

Park Abbey

Park Abbey is a Premonstratensian abbey in Belgium, at Heverlee just south of Leuven, in Flemish Brabant.

Other Lists

Leuven's Essential Landmarks Leuven University Heritage Leuven's Heritage Treasures Parks and Recreation in Leuven