How to Visit ‘Reading Between the Lines’ in Belgium
Last Updated on 1st July 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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For those who are familiar with the Belgian Limburg region, and more specifically, the fruit orchards that are so synonymous with this area of the European country, Reading Between the Lines in Belgium (known in Flemish as Doorkijkkerk) likely needs no introduction.
The metallic installation, with its towering steeple, looks almost transparent from some angles and is a truly unusual piece of modern artwork in the heart of the countryside.
Here’s how to visit this unique church sculpture on the edges of Borgloon city in Eastern Belgium… And if you’re spending more time in this pint-sized country, here’s a Belgium itinerary you’ll want to steal!
A history of the Reading Between the Lines Installation
Located in rural Belgium and surrounded by swathes of fruit orchards, the see-through church installation was created by Gijs Van Vaerenbergh, the collective name of the architects and artists Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh, who have been working together since 2007.
Inspired by the pretty stone chapel that can be spied in the distance behind the installation, the art piece was installed by the pair in 2011, together with art museum Z33.
And standing at 10 metres high, though this is not nearly as large as your typical ecclesiastical building, the artwork is still pretty substantial and its interior can even be wandered through free of charge.
All in all, 100 layers of weathered steel plates (over 2000 steel columns of them!) are stacked on top of one another atop a concrete base. Though the church appears see-through from some angles, what is particularly interesting is that the structure is arranged so that every single part of the church’s footprinting is covered.
Even if it’s pouring down with rain outside, you won’t get wet! In total, the impressive optical illusion of Reading Between the Lines in Belgium weighs a staggering 30 tonnes!
How to Visit ‘Reading Between the Lines’ in Belgium
Best seen at sunrise or sunset so as to make the most of the beautiful light, you should note that during weekends and school holidays, the place can get pretty packed!
Family picnics are pretty popular in the area on sunny days and on especially busy days, you’ll even need to queue up to enter inside Reading Between the Lines.
The only way to really see the installation is by car, so you’ll need to rent one or ask a friend very nicely! ‘Reading Between the Lines’ can be found in the midst of the fruit orchards and vineyards that Belgian Limburg is so famous for.
If you want to enjoy the stunning blossoms for yourself, then late March, April, and early May are the best times to visit.
Nearby parking is limited and signs for visiting the installation, which can only be visited by foot or bicycle, are few and far between. The sculpture is around 400 metres from the nearest car park, though there are several benches to sit on once you’re at the sculpture itself.
From the roadside, follow the Doorkijkkerk signs along the short gravel pathway to reach the installation: address Borgloon Church, 3840 Borgloon, Belgium.
