St. Catherine's Church in Hoogstraten was built between 1525 and 1550 by order of Antoon van Lalaing and Elisabeth van Culemborg, Count and Countess of the County of Hoogstraten. This imposing structure is also known as the "Cathedral of the Kempen" or, colloquially, "our Katrien."

The church is built in the Late Gothic style. It is, in fact, a blend of Kempen Gothic and Brabant Gothic, based on plans by architect Rombout II Keldermans (who died in 1531). The tower is 104.7 meters high and square at the base. This corresponds to approximately 150 Brabantine ells, as the meter did not yet exist in the 16th century. The base of the bell tower is quadrangular, culminating in an octagonal (8 being the number of infinity) candlestick with a flame, and a double pear-shaped spire covered with slate. White sandstone layers give the church a flamboyant appearance.

The church is the third tallest church building in Belgium. Its characteristic feature is the red Kempen brick, rarely used for towers of this size. The tallest brick tower in Europe is that of the Martinskirche in Landshut, Germany (130.6 meters). The tallest brick tower in Belgium is that of the Church of Our Lady in Bruges (115 meters). The brick used for the Church of Our Lady in Bruges is more yellow, while the Church of St. Catherine in Hoogstraten is built with the typical red brick of the region. Although it is not the tallest brick church in Belgium, it is the church with the highest brick height.

(See also List of tallest church towers).

The church was spared from the religious riots of the 16th century, but on October 23, 1944, the tower was dynamited by retreating German troops just before liberation. Reconstruction took place from 1952 to 1958 under the impetus of Dean Lauwery.

The church has been a protected monument since 1936.

Source:
Wikipedia

Translated by Google •

Ilse Buitelaar

December 21, 2021

The Sint-Katharinakerk in Hoogstraten was built between 1525 and 1550 by order of Antoon van Lalaing and Elisabeth van Culemborg, Count and Countess of the County of Hoogstraten. The imposing building is also referred to as "Cathedral of the Kempen" or "our Katrien".

Translated by Google •

StefaanS

October 27, 2019

Nice city to hike

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Elevation 20 m

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Location: Hoogstraten, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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St. Catherine's Church, Hoogstraten

St. Catherine's Church (Sint-Catharinakerk) Hoogstraten

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