Sint-Katharinakerk

This church in Hoogstraten was built between 1525 and 1550 by order of the count and countess of Hoogstraten. The church was designed by architect Rombout II Keldermans and built from Kempen brick. The imposing church tower is 105 meters high, making the church the fourth highest church building in Belgium. St. Catherine's Church was built on the site of a small Romanesque church. This church was completely demolished before the construction of the St. Catherine's Church was started. At the end of the Second World War, the tower was blown up by the German army. The Germans were afraid that the church tower would be used as a lookout tower for the Allies. Subsequently, the tower was hit again in 1945 by a bomb, which further damaged the church. After the war, the tower and the church were rebuilt according to the original plan. In 1958 the church was completely rebuilt.