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Sint-Janskerk

Diest, Flemish Brabant

Saint John’s Church is an old church, now in ruins.

Its history

This is the oldest church in Diest, built in ironstone and dedicated to John the Baptist. It was elevated to the status of parish church in 1264 and collegiate church in 1279. It was a cruciform church with three naves, a western tower, and a five-sided closed choir. During the plundering of the city in 1580 by the troops of William of Orange, the church was destroyed and never rebuilt. The cemetery surrounding the church also fell into disuse.