Church of St. John the Baptist at the Béguinage 🇧🇪

Located in central Brussels, Belgium, on the Place du Béguinage, the Church of St. John the Baptist at the Béguinage is a historic Catholic parish church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. Stepping into this historic site connects you to a rich past that began in the 13th century when the original Gothic church was built for the Great Beguinage, a thriving community of up to 1,200 lay women.

After Calvinists partially destroyed that early structure in 1584, construction on the present church began in 1657. When you visit, you will witness a masterclass in 17th-century Italian-influenced Brabantine Baroque design, attributed to the Flemish architect Lucas Faydherbe. The standout feature to admire is its dramatic exterior façade, widely considered to be one of the most beautiful in all of Belgium.

Designated a historic monument in 1936 and carefully restored following a devastating roof fire in November 2000, this remarkable sanctuary sits near the Place Sainte-Catherine, Place de Brouckère, and the Grand Hospice Pachéco, offering you a captivating look at Brussels' architectural and social heritage.

What to see at Church of St. John the Baptist at the Béguinage

• Striking 17th-century Italian-influenced Brabantine Baroque architecture attributed to Lucas Faydherbe
• One of Belgium's most beautiful exterior façades
• Historic site built on the location of a 13th-century Gothic church
• Designated official historic monument status in 1936
• Convenient central Brussels location near Place Sainte-Catherine

Visiting tips

Take time to admire the magnificent exterior façade, which is celebrated as one of the finest examples of Baroque design in Belgium.

How long: 1 hour · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Church of St. John the Baptist at the Béguinage is easy to reach on Brussels’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula and Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Brussels travel guide.