Saint Anthony Abbot Church

Altarpiece Saint Anne Trinity

Kerk Sint-Antonius-Abt in Oosthoven (header)

Polderstraat 2, Oud-Turnhout

 

This location has been closely associated with more than five hundred years of ancient tradition. Every first Sunday after the 17th of January Oosthoven organizes a Saint Anthony celebration, which was recently recognized as an intangible cultural heritage. More than anything, remember to visit the unique altarpiece with Sint Anna ten Drieën, a masterpiece that may originate from an older chapel.

Retabel Sint Anna ten Drieën Oud-Turnhout (detail)

Saint Anthony Abbot Church

The Sint-Antonius-Abtkerk is a neo-Romanesque church built in 1891-1893 to the design of the architect Pieter Jozef Taeymans. Every January, the worship of Saint Anthony takes place in Oosthoven, a parish in Oud-Turnhout. Following a celebration Mass, agricultural and horticultural products are auctioned off by the entrance to the church.

Altarpiece Saint Anne Trinity

The Sint Anna ten Drieën altarpiece in the Sint-Antonius Abtkerk is located on the left side of the church opposite the altarpiece of Saint Anthony, the patron saint. It dates back to the early 16th century. Anne was one of the most prominent saints in the 15th and 16th centuries. Numerous fraternities erected chapels and altarpieces in her honour. In this case she is standing upright with Mary, her daughter, at her side and her grandchild Jesus on Mary's lap. The images are serene but radiate humanity, especially the baby eagerly reaching for Anna's grapes.

Practical information

Address

Polderstraat 2
2360 Oud-Turnhout
Belgium
View directions

Opening hours

  • Open Monday to Sunday from 10.00 to 17.00 hrs.

Accessibility

  • Easy access for people with disabilities.

Good to know

  • Admission: free

Other sites nearby

Preekstoel met De Roeping van Petrus en Andreas door Hendrik Peeters-Divoort
In addition to the impressive pulpit, there are paintings by David Teniers, Pieter van Lint and Jan Erasmus Quellinus. Definitely worth a detour.
Sint-Dimpnakerk in Geel
An absolute highlight is the impressive Saint Dymphna altarpiece, a Flemish masterpiece dating back to the late 15th or early 16th century.