A 13th-Century Landmark
The Saint James’ Church (Sint-Jacobskerk) in Leuven was originally built between 1220 and 1235 in the Romanesque style. Constructed with sand-lime brick, it quickly became one of the city’s most notable religious buildings.
Part of Leuven’s Seven Wonders
Since 1290, only the church tower has survived from the original structure. This tower, recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of Leuven, features the external bell “Barbara”, adding to its historic character.
Closure and Decline
The church closed in 1964 due to severe stability issues and has remained empty ever since. To prevent collapse, the interior was propped up, but the building has continued to face deterioration.
Future Restoration Plans
Since 2007, there have been proposals to restore Saint James’ Church at an estimated cost of €12.5 million. Inspired by the Maastricht model, the project envisions transforming the historic church into a bookshop, giving the monument a new cultural role while preserving its heritage.
(Source: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sint-Jacobskerk_(Leuven), photo by Aslı Tezcan)
