- Address: Prins Boudewijnstraat, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
- Foundation date: 1908
- Architect: Louis de la Sensery
- Architectural style: neo-Gothic
- Tower height: 72 m
The Church of Saints Peter and Paul (Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk) is the main neo-Gothic church in Ostend . The history of this landmark began with a fire in 1896, which destroyed the building on which the temple was erected. All that is left now from the previous structure is a brick tower, which was named Peperbus.
What to see?
The initiative to lay the stone of the new church belongs to King Leopold II. He so wanted to build it, that in Ostend rumors spread that, allegedly, the fire that had happened was his business. So, in 1899 the construction of the future landmarks of West Flanders began. The architect was Louis de la Sensery (Louis de la Censerie). And in 1905, the townspeople of the resort town of Ostend could admire the new church, whose patrons were St. Peter and Paul. True, it was only lighted three years later, on August 31, 1908, by Bishop Waffelaert, Bishop of Bruges.
The fact that the western part of the church is actually going to the east is interesting. The explanation is as follows: the church "looks" to the port of Ostend, thus meeting travelers. The eastern part is decorated with three portals: the images of Peter, Paul and Our Lady are carved by sculptor Jean-Baptiste van Wint.
How to get there?
To reach the church, use public transport . Take bus No. 1 or 81 to the stop Oostende Sint-Petrus Paulusplein.
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