See

High Kraainem

Hoog-Kraainem

Well preserved remains of the first residential activities in High Kraainem, dating from a Frankish settlement in the 9th century. The complex of interlocked houses and farmsteads, erected in the local sandstone but painted with white walls, is situated between the Saint Pancras Church and Jourdain castle. There is evidence of a stronghold historically situated west of the current location of the church, but it was demolished by the end of the 14th century because it lost its strategic importance. A map of 1397 only reports the location of the moats (fossa castri), which were eventually backfilled and repurposed. No visible evidence remains of the stronghold's existence. From the 14th century to the 19th century, High Kraainem remained a small settlement: at the time of the Belgian independence in 1830, only 15 houses were counted in High Kraainem.

Address: Steenweg op Zaventem 54
Price: Free
Website: inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be (opens in a new tab)

Directions Suggest a nearby place

Listing from Wikivoyage: Kraainem, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

Close by

See
Saint Pancras Church
Sint-Pancratiuskerk
The oldest building in Kraainem, the Saint Pancras Church has its origins in the 12th century. The massive Roman tower with walls up to 1.7 meters thick most likely had a military function. Initially, the church was added to the tower and had a simple rectangular shape. In the 13th and 14th century, the northern wing was added to the church. With financial help of the Affligem abbey, the small choir was transformed in the 16th century into the Gothic choir that remains. Until the 18th century, the entrance to the church was a small door in the south wall, the side that now faces the Kraainem town hall. Around 1720, the entrance was moved to the current baroque gate in the tower. From 1170 onwards, the church underwent significant changes: the asymmetric layout was abandoned, and a third section was added under the same saddle roof. The current sacristy, pulpit and two confessionals were also added. The interior was enhanced with furniture that was not originally intended for the church: the origin of the organ is still a mystery, and in 1873 two altars were purchased for 100 francs each from a Brussels church. At the end of the 19th century, the church escaped a complete transformation in Neo-Romanian style, and a more humble design of Jules Van Ysendyck was chosen instead, which preserved much of the antique interior. In 1984, pastor Vanzulpele observed a depression in the archway above the choir, which started a sequence of restorations finally completed in 2012. The current interior is based on the interior after the renovations of 1770. The graveyard around the church is no longer in use and only serves to preserve the historic image of the building. Religious ceremonies are still being held on Saturday and Sunday, when the church can be visited.
Sat 17:00–19:00, Sun 10:00–12:00Free
Drink
The New Inn
A small bar in the historic centre of High Kraainem, in front of the town hall and next to the road leading to the Saint Pancras Church. Their terrace gives a beautiful view over the old town and the church in particular. Focuses on local and international alcoholic drinks, primarily beers.
Do
Library
Openbare bibliotheek
Public library, offering a collection of novels, comic books, CDs and DVDs, primarily in Dutch and English.
Wed 14:00–17:00, Sun 10:00–13:00
Buy
Carrefour Express
Small supermarket in High Kraainem, more expensive than Carrefour or Colruyt, but one of the few that are open on Sundays.
Tue–Sun 07:30–20:00