Basilica of Saint Servatius

The Basilica of Saint Servatius in Grimbergen is a Baroque church standing on the grounds of a former Norbertine abbey, one of the most recognizable landmarks in this municipality just north of Brussels. Built from white sandstone between 1660 and 1700 to a design by architect Gilbertus van Zinnik, it dates from the golden age of an abbey originally founded in 1128 under the spiritual guidance of Norbert of Xanten.

What is the history behind this site?

The abbey at Grimbergen has a turbulent past. During the religious wars it was destroyed in 1566, forcing the monks to flee to Brussels; they only returned three decades later to rebuild their community. A further blow came in 1798, when the abbey and its brewery were destroyed for a third time. Despite these setbacks, construction of the basilica itself, begun in 1660, continued in an exuberant Baroque style, producing one of the finest examples of the style in Western European church architecture. The building was raised to the status of minor basilica in 1999, and it was granted protected monument status in 1937.

What does the architecture and interior look like?

The church's distinctive tower houses 48 bells that lend the surrounding area a particularly welcoming soundscape. The choir contrasts sharply with the rest of the building through its large dimensions, while the nave was never completed — a fact still visible in its temporary façade. Inside, visitors find four magnificent confessionals, the cathedra, the choir stalls, the altar, and the tomb of the Count of Grimbergen, together forming one of the most beautiful Baroque ensembles in the country. The choir features four paintings of Saint Norbert by Jan van Orley, while other parts of the church hold numerous works by De Crayer, van Orley, and van Loon.

What is the abbey's connection to beer?

Grimbergen is not only a place of worship but also the birthplace of one of Belgium's best-known brewing traditions. In the very year the abbey was founded, 1128, the monks began brewing a local beer, with the recipe reportedly passed down through the generations. From 1958 onward, the monks licensed commercial breweries to produce beer under their name, following the Belgian tradition of abbey brewing. In 2019, after rediscovering the original ingredients and methods in the abbey's archives, the monks revived brewing on site themselves, restoring a centuries-old practice.

Who looks after the basilica and abbey today?

The community consists of twelve white-robed monks belonging to the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré, commonly known as the Norbertines. For centuries they have been known for their hospitality toward visitors and for the home-brewed beer offered to guests of the monastery. The parish church is dedicated to Saint Servatius, while the abbey church itself is dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul — a distinction that explains why both names appear in sources referring to the same complex.

Frequently asked questions

Can the basilica be visited? As an active parish church and place of worship, the basilica welcomes visitors who wish to see its Baroque interior and architecture.

Where does the Grimbergen beer name come from? The name comes directly from the town and abbey, where Norbertine monks have brewed beer since the monastery's founding in 1128, a tradition repeatedly interrupted by destruction and revived over the centuries.

What architectural style does the building represent? The basilica is one of the most striking examples of Baroque style in Western European church architecture, built from characteristic white sandstone.