- Address: Sinter-Goedeleplein, 1000 Brussel, Belgium
- Phone: +32 2 217 83 45
- Website: http://www.cathedralestmichel.be/
- Opening: 1519
- Architectural style: Gothic architecture
- Opening hours: Monday-Friday 7.00 - 18.00, Saturday-Sunday 8.00 - 18.00
In the capital of Belgium, Brussels is the majestic Catholic Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula (in English, The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula). It is also often called the Cathedral of Saint-Michel-e-Güdül. Let's talk more about it.
Description of the cathedral-Saint-Michel-e-Güdül
The temple, which has survived to our time, was erected by the project of the famous architect Jean van Rysbreck, who is the author of the central city hall of the capital of Belgium .
St. Michael's Cathedral in Brussels is considered the main Catholic temple in the country and its twin towers resemble the famous on the whole planet Notre Dame de Paris . True, its size is almost double. The main facade of the building consists of two equally symmetrical towers, the height of which reaches sixty-nine meters, decorated with niches and arches, and also connected by a top of the roof. Inside each of the "twins" there is a long staircase sixty-four meters high, overlooking a beautiful terrace. In the northern tower there is a large bell, calling all parishioners for service. In this part of the temple on the walls were placed portraits of the rulers who made a significant contribution to the development of the church.
In the center are large doors that were decorated with forged reliefs and statues of saints. The main facade has four entrances, bounded by stone portals, above them towering sculptures of saints and stained glass. The side facades of the structure are not inferior to the main one in their architectural beauty.
Interior decoration of St. Michael's Cathedral in Brussels
The interior of the cathedral surprises its visitors with pomposity and an unusual combination of asceticism and beauty. The central nave has a height of twenty-six meters and a length of one hundred and ten meters, and the width of the whole temple is fifty meters. The vaults support the Romanesque snow-white columns that stretch to the altar and are decorated with statues with twelve apostles. These are wonderful works of famous sculptors Faderba, Dukenua, Tobia and Bath Millerd. High windows, painted with colorful stained-glass windows of the sixteenth century, illuminate Gothic choirs.
The luxurious main altar was made of solid oak, with symbolic elements of copper. In 1776, the Jesuits from the city of Leuven presented the cathedral made by H. Verbruggen to Saint-Michel-e-Güdüll Cathedral. In front of the altar, a snow-white marble slab points to the tomb of Archduke Albert and his wife Isabella, who died in 1621 and in 1633, respectively. The sculptors of the brothers Goyers performed from the carved oak an altarpiece in the Gothic style.
In 1656, Jean de la Bar, according to the plan of T. Vann Tulbden, created unusual stained-glass windows on the side-chapel of the Mother of God. The artist depicted episodes from the life of the Virgin. The court architect, and part-time student J. Duchenois, Jean Vorspuhl built an altar of black and white marble. In St. Michael's Cathedral in Brussels, there are beautiful stained-glass windows made by Jean Haiek in the Renaissance. Along the wall are majestic tombs. There is also a mausoleum in which the Belgian national hero Frederic de Merode rests.
On the territory of the cathedral there is a small treasury. The ticket price is 1 euro. Exhibits are church utensils, as well as medieval weapons. In this mini-museum there are beautiful ancient tombs. In addition, on the territory of the temple there are two organs, the sounds of which are carried far around and take for the soul of each listener. Everyone can even attend an organ concert. Such events are held here quite often. The ticket price is five euros.
To the tourist on a note
The Cathedral of St. Michael and Gudula is located at the intersection of the Upper and Lower City, on the hill of Troyrenberg. You can get here by metro on the first and fifth lines. The station is called Gare Centrale. You can also go by bus, taxi or car.
St. Michael's Cathedral in Brussels is open daily. From Monday to Friday, the doors of the temple are open for believers and visitors from seven in the morning until six in the evening, and on weekends from eight in the morning and also until six in the evening. The entrance is free. You will have to pay if you want to visit the crypt (cost 2.5 euros), a treasure or a concert.
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