Sint-Baafskathedraal

Sint-Baafskathedraal Review

St. Bavo's Cathedral, begun in the austere 13th century but finished in the 16th century in the ornate Brabantine Gothic style, dramatically rises from a low, unimposing entryway. It contains one of the greatest treasures in Christendom: De aanbidding van het Lam Gods (The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb). Painted by brothers Jan and Hubert van Eyk, this altarpiece is one of the most beautiful and influential paintings of the Middle Ages. One of its lower panels was stolen in 1934 and was never recovered, giving rise to numerous conspiracy theories and inspiring Albert Camus' novel, The Fall. The cathedral's ornate pulpit, made of white Italian marble and black Danish oak, was carved in the 18th century by the sculptor Laurent Delvaux. Angels, cherubs, massive trees, flowing robes, and tresses combine to create a masterwork. A Rubens masterpiece, Saint Bavo's Entry into the Monastery, hangs in one of the chapels. Other treasures include a baroque-style organ built in 1623 and a crypt crammed with tapestries, church paraphernalia, and 15th- and 16th-century frescoes. There are no visits during services.