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The church of Saint Dymphna (1349-1479) is a remarkable building in so-called Demer gothic style. The sturdy, unfinished tower in white limestone and brown iron ore limestone layers was added later (1454-1585).

The church started as a place of pilgrimage where Saint Dymphna and her confessor are said to be buried. Legend has it that Saint Dymphna fled from England to Flanders in the 7th century to escape being married off by her father. He followed her and beheaded her in a fit of madness. The sick and the mentally ill were cured visiting her grave, thus starting the worship of Saint Dymphna. A sick bay was built on the south side of the church in 1683 where mentally ill patients could stay for 9 days while seeking a cure for their condition.

Despite being ravaged during the iconoclasm (1566), the French occupation (end 18th century) and World War II, the church is in good condition and still has a unique interior.

The sober and harmonious interior contains exceptional pieces of art. Most prominent are the altar and the mausoleum of the family de Merode. The altar piece of the apostles was recently added to the list of Flemish top art pieces, as the oldest remaining altar piece in polychrome stone in Flanders. The Dymphna altar piece features since long on this list.

A guide book on the church (64 pages) is available from the tourist office of Geel (3,5 euros). In the church, information panels also offer information on the subject.

Parish Saint Dymphna

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