- Address: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwvoorplein, 1020 Brussel, Belgium
- Phone: +32 2 478 20 95
- Denomination: Catholicism
- Construction: 1854-1909 years
- Architectural style: Neo-Gothic
- Architect: Joseph Poulart
If you plan to visit the Laken Palace in your route in Belgium , then allocate a little time for the nearby Notre-Dame de Laken temple, where members of the Belgian royal family are buried.
general information
The history of the Church of Our Lady of Laken is connected with the name of Queen Louise Maria of Orleans, who after her death wished to be buried in the Laken district in Brussels . In those days there was only a small chapel, but by order of the wife of Louise Maria of Orleans - King Leopold I - in 1854 the first stone was laid for the construction of a new church, which was illuminated in 1872, but its construction was delayed for one decade. The remains of the king and queen were buried here in 1907, they never lived to see the opening of the temple.
Architecture of the church
Notre-Dame de Laken - a grandiose structure with many neo-Gothic towers, which seem to soar above the church's porch. The temple project was created by the talented architect of the time Joseph Poulart, who is more famous for the construction of the Palace of Justice in Brussels .
The interior of the Church of Our Lady in Laken is made up of high vaults, imposing sizes of ribbed columns and colored stained glass windows. The main decoration of the temple is the statue of the Virgin Mary of the 13th century, transferred here from the old church. Of course, the royal burial vault, which is under the octagonal chapel behind the church apse, is of special interest - it was here that 19 members of the royal family found peace. Visiting the crypt is possible only in some church holidays, on the remaining days it is closed.
Immediately beyond Notre-Dame de Laken there is a Laken cemetery, where famous Belgians are buried, whose graves are adorned with beautiful statues and gravestones.
How to get there?
You can reach the Cathedral by public transport : by metro to Bockstael station, then on foot or by taxi.
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