Experience

ANTWERP | St Charles Borromeo Church continues to renovate with multilingual visitor guide and various audio trails

Posted by Timothy on

The 17th century Saint Charles Borromeo Church or Sint-Carolus Borromeuskerk is one of Antwerp‘s five monumental churches and attracts many visitors from home and abroad every day. In order to welcome these visitors even better, the church is working on a renewed reception infrastructure and public access, with the support of Tourism Flanders and the City of Antwerp.

In 2024, the St Charles Borromeo Church received a new tourist reception, the visitor flow was redesigned and a tourist visit to the church became payable. In the coming years, the historic church will continue to renew its scenography. 

For example, a new museum trail will be set up on the site in the future. In anticipation of this, the St Charles Borromeo Church is reforming its public activities for the 21st century. Thanks to a few interventions, the visitor is introduced to the rich details and fascinating stories of the church, with a suitable welcome, a visitor’s guide and three audio trails. ​

Alderman for Tourism Koen Kennis (N-VA): “Our many assets, including the countless delicious eateries, pleasant shopping streets, beautiful hotels and museums and certainly also our five monumental churches are clearly popular with both Antwerp residents and domestic and foreign tourists. The annual tourist figures for record year 2024 prove this.” 

“With a renewed visitor experience, our very own St Charles Borromeo is now playing a new trump card, which will undoubtedly attract and charm even more visitors from home and abroad.”

Alderman for Religious Services Stijn De Rooster (N-VA): “In addition to architectural crown jewels, the five monumental churches are, due to their religious, historical and cultural value, each and every one of them crown witnesses who help tell the story of our proud city on the Scheldt.” 

Enthusiasts can devour piles of books or reference works in their lust for Antwerp stories, but it is even more recommended to visit and explore that beautiful heritage and heritage. Optimizing the public outreach of the Big Five therefore remains a spearhead. I am very pleased to note that the Sint-Carolus Borromeuskerk continues its innovative momentum and takes public access to an even higher level. Maintaining and entertaining heritage, that seems to me to be a sustainable formula for success.”

Three audio trails

The audio guide offers three different trails. The standard trail of approximately 60 minutes for art lovers and those seeking added value focuses on the rich iconography and art historical stories of the church. 

A shortened audio trail guides the visitor in 30 minutes to the must-see elements in the interior and provides explanations about the use of the church building. 

And for children aged six and over, there is a 30-minute audio play in which characters and works of art from the church come to life. 

Angels, doves, donkeys and even the baby Jesus speak to the children or have a conversation with each other. Who built this church? Why do people come to this church? Who are Jesus and Mary? Why does that angel hold a stick? Who is buried in the most beautiful chapel? The shortened route and the children’s route take the same amount of time and can be combined, allowing parents and children to discover this monument together.

Visitor’s guide and guided tours

Those who prefer to visit the church on their own can explore the space with the help of a visitor’s guide. This guide provides the visitor with information about the six absolute must-see highlights: the beautiful high altar, the hand of Pieter Paul Rubens, the masterful woodcarving, the exuberant Rubens chapel dedicated to Mary, the beautiful play of light and the impressive facade.

Both the visitor’s guide and the various audio trails are available in five languages: Dutch, French, English, German and Spanish. ​

The volunteers and guides of Toerismepastoraal Antwerpen play an essential role in a visit to the Sint-Carolus Borromeuskerk. They offer guided tours daily and can respond to the specific needs of visitors.

“The beautiful Sint-Carolus Borromeuskerk tells a story of unspeakable and hopeless suffering that culminates in the miracle of the resurrection and the difficult but hopeful birth of a new beginning, a new era, and a new person”, says CEO of Toerisme Vlaanderen, Peter De Wilde. 

“Thanks in part to the support of Tourism Flanders, visitors, but also passers-by are touched by this story and perhaps even transformed. The building establishes a deep connection with residents, visitors, passers-by, but also with eternity. The project therefore fits in very well with ‘Travel to Tomorrow’, our strategy for the tourism of the future.”

You can find more information and opening hours of the church at www.mkantwerpen.be/kerken/sint-carolus-borromeuskerk.

Art and museums in Antwerp