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Laurent-Benoît Dewez: forgotten top architect in the service of Court, Elite and Church
Friday 14 February, 11:00 Sunday 29 June, 18:00
Our Lady of Vlierbeek - 3010 (Kessel-Lo)
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In a period before Belgium existed, Laurent-Benoît Dewez (1731-1812) was undoubtedly the most prominent architect in our region. As court architect to the Austrian governor Charles of Lorraine, he was known for his contributions to neoclassical architecture, a style popular during the late 18th century. More specifically, his oeuvre was dominated by the creation of a unitary ‘Eglise Belgique’.
Today, Dewez's vast oeuvre is still present in our (Leuven) streetscape. Yet only a select few still seem to know him. Despite his great achievements, he seems forgotten. With this exhibition, we pay tribute to his rich legacy. For Vlierbeek, Dewez designed a completely new abbey whose church and the so-called New Abbey Quarter were realised.
Abdij van Vlierbeek, 3010 Leuven (Kessel-Lo)
14 February 2025 - 11:00 to 29 June 2025 - 18:00
Event Host Building
Our Lady of Vlierbeek
The abbey was founded in 1125 by the Benedictines of Affligem. For 7 centuries, it was the setting for their daily lives. During the French rule, the monastery was closed. Except for the abbey farmhouse, the church and the abbot building, both built in classical style, were also preserved.
The Church of Our Lady of Vlierbeek is an absolute masterpiece by Laurent-Benoît Dewez (1731-1812), an architect in the service of the governor of the Austrian Netherlands of that time: Charles, Duke of Lorraine. The church was rightfully considered to be one of the most beautiful classical buildings of the eighteenth century.
To accurately assess the value of this church’s exterior, one needs to take into consideration that the building nowadays stands somewhat isolated, while there were plans in the past to integrate the church within a greater whole of abbey buildings.
The church was built in white limestone. In the north facade of the church, one can see the start in bricks of the unfinished monastery. The interior is a combination of three clearly visible shapes: a cross, a square, and a circle. Around the circle there are square chapels and freestanding columns.
From the bases of the columns, one can see the start of strips of black and white marble leading towards the star in the middle of the floor. Flower garlands in the middle of the dome lead to the Corinthian capitals of the columns between the semicircular windows that light the dome from below.
On the graveyard, one can find funerary monuments of famous people.
Source : www.abdijvanvlierbeek.be
KIKIRPA: photo-library online
The Church of Our Lady of Vlierbeek is an absolute masterpiece by Laurent-Benoît Dewez (1731-1812), an architect in the service of the governor of the Austrian Netherlands of that time: Charles, Duke of Lorraine. The church was rightfully considered to be one of the most beautiful classical buildings of the eighteenth century.
To accurately assess the value of this church’s exterior, one needs to take into consideration that the building nowadays stands somewhat isolated, while there were plans in the past to integrate the church within a greater whole of abbey buildings.
The church was built in white limestone. In the north facade of the church, one can see the start in bricks of the unfinished monastery. The interior is a combination of three clearly visible shapes: a cross, a square, and a circle. Around the circle there are square chapels and freestanding columns.
From the bases of the columns, one can see the start of strips of black and white marble leading towards the star in the middle of the floor. Flower garlands in the middle of the dome lead to the Corinthian capitals of the columns between the semicircular windows that light the dome from below.
On the graveyard, one can find funerary monuments of famous people.
Source : www.abdijvanvlierbeek.be
KIKIRPA: photo-library online
Building profile
Church
Classical
Catholic Church
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Graveyard
Organ
Disabled access
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Hours
Open
Monday Closed
Tuesday14:00–16:00
Wednesday Closed
Thursday Closed
Friday Closed
Saturday10:00–17:00
Sunday12:00–17:00
