- Address: Parvis de la Basilique 1, Brussels
- Phone: +32 2 421 16 67
- Official website: www.basilicakoekelberg.be
- Opening: 1970
- Architects: Albert Van Huffel, Paul Rom
- Working hours: daily, from 9.00 to 17.00 in the summer, from 10.00 to 16.00 in the winter
Once Brussels was an ordinary rich merchant town. Today we know it as the administrative center of Europe due to the fact that such organizations as NATO and the European Economic Community settled in this city. This fact provoked the active development of Brussels. And the city grew as residential high-rise buildings, and real architectural masterpieces, which eventually became local attractions . One of such buildings in Brussels can be attributed to Basil Sacré-Coeur.
A short historical digression
In fact, to the wave of the construction of Brussels Basilica Sacré Coeur can only be classified conditionally. The building is quite young, its construction was completed only in 1969. Thanking for the construction of this architectural masterpiece is King Leopold II. For anyone, the fact that there is a similar basilica in Paris will not remain a secret. Moreover, the French give it some sacred significance. So Leopold II was filled with love and trepidation to the capital of France, and to the 75th anniversary of Belgium's independence the king personally laid the first stone and gave the start to the construction of the Basilica of Sacre Coeur.
More about the Basilica of Sacre Coeur in Brussels
Today, this majestic church is one of the five largest churches in Europe. In addition, the Basilica of Sacre Coeur in Brussels is the most majestic architectural work in the Art Deco style. In height, the building reaches 89 m, 107 m in width, and its length is 164 m. The walls of the church are made of brick, stone and concrete. The huge green dome first suggests the mosque, but the crowning of his Catholic cross is ready to dispel all doubts. By the way, the diameter of the dome is 33 m, and right at its base a large viewing platform has unfolded, from which a wonderful view of Brussels opens. To note, tourists should definitely take into account the fact that the entrance here is paid and is about 5 euros. By the way, the sale of tickets ends in 30 minutes. before closing. In the building of the temple itself, the entrance is free.
The Sacré-Cœur basilica in Brussels, though gradually withdrawing from its main function, is still capable of hosting up to 3,500 parishioners. In addition, there are two museums, a restaurant, a Catholic radio station and a theater. Convenient is also the fact that the ticket to the observation platform gives you the right to visit the Museum of the "Black Sisters" and the Museum of Religious Art for free. Among the exhibits that are represented in these institutions, you can see the legacy of the eponymous congregation of the same name: furniture, tableware, dishes, various art objects. In addition, there is an exhibition of paintings on religious topics.
A separate function is the basement of the basilica. It is here that the restaurant Le Basilic is located, as well as a number of free premises, which can easily be rented for any celebrations and events. The Basilica of Sacré Coeur hosts all major Catholic festivals and various conferences. In addition, it is funny that the temple is a place for training with mountaineers and speleologists. Leads to the Basilica of Sacre Coeur in Brussels, Leopold II Boulevard, which is planted with huge plane trees, which only adds color to this place.
How to get there?
To get to the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur in Brussels will not be particularly difficult. Among public transport the most convenient is the metro. It is necessary to proceed along lines 1A and 2 to the Simonis stop. In addition, you can get here by tram number 19 or by bus company De Lijn No. 213, 214, which departs from the Brussels North Railway Station.
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