The religious significance of Hanswijk in Mechelen dates to the 10th century. According to tradition, a ship carrying a statue of the Virgin Mary became stranded on the River Dijle and only moved forward once the statue was brought ashore. This led to the belief that Mary wished to be venerated there. A chapel dedicated to Saint Lambert and Saint Catherine was soon established, and by 1263, it was a recognised pilgrimage site.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk, built between 1663 and 1681, was designed by Lucas Faydherbe (1617–1697), a Flemish architect and sculptor trained under Peter Paul Rubens. His work belongs to the Flemish Baroque tradition but reflects strong Italian influences. Unlike many Northern European Baroque architects, Faydherbe emphasised sculptural clarity and structural refinement, recalling Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680) and Francesco Borromini (1599–1667).
Faydherbe’s design introduced a centralised rotunda within a longitudinal nave, merging two architectural forms—an advanced structural solution for the Low Countries. The 34-metre dome required iron tie rods to support the lateral thrust, a technique disguised with stucco but reflecting sophisticated engineering principles.
While rooted in Flemish Baroque, the basilica incorporates Italian styles, particularly its rotunda design, inspired by Roman churches. This was unusual in the Low Countries, where longitudinal plans were dominant. Faydherbe’s understanding of dome construction is evident in the building’s weight distribution solutions.
Inside, the relief arches above the rotunda, depicting Christ’s fall under the cross and the adoration of the shepherds, reflect Southern European decorative styles. The sculptural program reinforce Bernini’s concept of integrating architecture and sculpture, making the basilica an important example of Italo-Flemish design.
