Eglise Saint-Loup

 
This church, admired by the poet Charles Baudelaire, is perhaps considered as one of the most beautiful 17th century Baroque buildings in Belgium. It is based on the church of Jesus in Rome. As it is situated in a narrow pedestrian street, one cannot distance oneself from it but even so the blue stone facade in three superimposed sequences can be admired.
Inside it is the vault on powerful columns which attracts attention: a sumptuous sculpted décor in yellow and ochre stone, the tufa from around Maastricht.
The church has been richly decorated over the centuries with an evident taste for coloured marble. In this way the Jesuits wanted to glorify God. Part of the furnishings has been removed and another part has either been restored or is in the process of being so. Thus the 10 confessionals which date from the 17th and 18th centuries have been brought back, some framed by chubby or rascally cherubs and others with plant patterns. Noteworthy also are the pulpit, communion table and baptismal fonts.
The church remains a place of worship but is often a centre for concerts or exhibitions.

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