Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Namur

The church was built in the 13th century and restored in 1547, 1616 and, more recently, in 1890.

This Gothic limestone building with an irregular plan, located on the east side of the square and built mainly in the 1st half of the 16th century, stands out in the Namur landscape with its Baroque bell tower.

On either side are pentagonal or rectangular chapels covered by a lantern dating from 1709 on the south side and rebuilt after 1766 on the north side by the architect Hubert-Joseph Pétiaux.

The interior contains a beautiful series of marble baroque altars : main altar (1683) with a painting of the baptism of Christ by John, attributed to Ykens. Marian altar in the south chapel, dated 1684 at the ends of the cornice and with a cartouche in the center of the pediment with the chronogram of 1709 dating the lantern. Contemporary altar of the 'Five Wounds of the Redeemer' in the north chapel, with a statue of Christ. In the north transept, Renaissance altar of the Blessed Sacrament (1641), with alabaster statuettes of Saints Peter and Paul, statue of the Risen Christ at the top and painting of the Last Supper, attributed to Geis. Small altars from 1641 against the choir pillars: in the north a painting of the beheading of John the Baptist, attributed to Villebourts; in the south a painting of Saint Anna, the Virgin and the Child, attributed to A. van den Hecke.
In the southern transept a classic wooden altar (1656-1662), canvas on the right signed by de la Bouverie and dated 1646.
Louis XIV paneling and communion rail on the north side.

Furthermore: Louis XV furniture: choir stalls, confessionals, panelling, pulpit and rood loft.

Willem Vandenameele