Gazing upon the Sint-Servaaskerk, one might imagine its stones whispering tales of Schaerbeek’s past. This grand neo-Gothic structure, completed in 1876, replaced an older, smaller gothic church that once stood on the present-day Louis Bertrandlaan. That older church, centuries the heart of Schaerbeek, wasn’t demolished until 1905, meaning the two Sint-Servaaskerks coexisted for nearly thirty years. Imagine the scenes, the old parishioners perhaps casting curious glances at the rising new church. The architect, Gustave Hansotte, designed the Sint-Servaaskerk as a large basilica, its bold buttresses and flying buttresses creating a striking silhouette against the sky. Notice the symmetry of its facade, with three entrance portals leading the eye to the towering portal tower above. All constructed from natural stone, the Sint-Servaaskerk exudes a timeless elegance. Inside, treasures from the old church found a new home. Look for the late 16th-century “Ecce Homo,” and the 1661 painting “Our Lady with Child Venerated by Saint Servatius.” These pieces, alongside works by Gaspar de Crayer and Jan Boeckhorst, offer glimpses into the artistic heritage preserved within the Sint-Servaaskerk’s walls. While much was transferred, a poignant reminder of what was left behind remains: the solitary tombstone of priest Nicolas Most, who died in 1622. His final resting place serves as a tangible link to the former Sint-Servaaskerk and its surrounding graveyard. The Sint-Servaaskerk stands as more than just a building. It’s a repository of Schaerbeek’s history, a testament to the enduring power of faith and community. As you leave its shadow, carry with you not just images of its architecture, but also the echoes of the stories it holds within its ancient stones.
Museum of the Gueuze
“Isn’t it strange,”” a visitor mused, “”that a brewery could also be a museum?”” Indeed, the Museum of the Gueuze,