In the Middle of the 12th century, this church of the former Saint Gerturde’s Abbey was nothing more than a simple but impressive prayer room. The church was built between the 13th and 15th century. In the church you can find remarkable late Gothic choir stalls. The open spire known as the ‘tower’ without securing pins’ is one of the seven wonders of Leuven because it’s entirely made of stone.*

Unfortunately the church was closed on the day we visited this area of Leuven and we didn’t have chance to revisit when it was open. A sign on the side of the church tells us more about Saint Gertrude’s Abbey.

Augustine Abbey, limited to twelve regular canons of noble descent. The church, which was also a parish church, was built from the 14th to the 16th century.

Remarkable tower with openwork stone spire by architect Jan Van Ruysbroeck (1453). Houses an 18th century Van den Gheyn carrilion.

The Abbey was closed in 1796. The buildings were divided into parcels and were subsequently used as industrial estates.

In 1919 it became a Benedictine abbey. The buildings were repaired and completed with amongst others the Thiery wing, a highly imaginative reconstruction of facades of the city that had been destroyed by fire during WWI. The church and abbey were seriously damaged in WWII. Today it is a mixed destination: administration and housing.

*Information from Church & Co leaflet