St. Jacob's Church in Antwerp

The Church of St. Jacob is located behind Weermarkt Square. In this Gothic cathedral rest representatives of many noble families of Antwerp. In one of the chapel crypts is kept and the ashes of the great painter Peter Paul Rubens. The tomb of Rubens is located behind the main altar, in the chapel of Our Lady.

The artist painted the image of Our Lady especially for his tomb, and some experts believe that St. George in the painting is a self-portrait of the artist. The two altars of the temple are decorated with his canvases “The Ascension of Mary to Heaven” and “The Sacred Deathly Battle”.

The construction of the church of St. Jacob began at the end of the XV century, and was completed only more than 200 years later. Today it pleases citizens and tourists not only with its appearance, but also with its interior decoration. The building, in particular, preserved unique mosaics and frescoes, made in the XVI century.