Church of Sant Joan - Mechelen

The municipality of Sint-Janskerk is one of the wealthiest municipalities in Mechelen , as members of the Great Council live in the area.

The Great Council has been the highest court in the Netherlands since the 15th century (initially known as the Parliament of Mechelen) and existed until the French Revolution. All councilors are appointed by the monarch and hold a law degree . Enough money for the community. As a result, there are many church treasures in Sint-Janskerk. The famous baroque triptych by Pieter Paul Rubens shines on the altar. The central panel is the blockbuster The Adoration of the Magi. Behind the side walls there is a mechanism for rotating the paintings so that all the scenes are visible.

In addition, the kindergarten benches are also something special , because the rich sponsors of the church community were there. Note the fine cuts .

The wealthiest members of the Great Council are also responsible for building the Chapel of the Sacrament in 1548. The attached chapel will be the same size as the original choir and the tombstone of the builder (Lambert de Briaerde, then President of the Great Council) and his wife.

In 2008, the Flemish Real Estate Institute accidentally discovered the 14th-century murals behind the organ case on the first floor of the tower of the church of Sant Joan. There are no fragments but two unique and large works of art depicting Saint Christopher and Saint George. You can only visit the murals with a city guide .

Willem Vandenameele