Cathedral of St. Michael in Brussels (Belgium) - description, history, location. The exact address and website. Reviews of tourists, photos and videos.
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The Cathedral of St. Michael and Gudula (French: Cathédrale Saints-Michel-et-Gudule de Bruxelles, Niderl. Kathedraal van Sint-Michiel en Sint-Goedele) rises majestically on Trorenberg Hill, between the upper and lower towns, and is rightfully considered the main cathedral Brussels. In the 11th century, the church of St. Michael, built in the Romanesque style, stood on this site. Two centuries later, it was converted into Gothic, so today appearance The cathedral and its interiors are a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles.
The construction of the cathedral lasted for 300 years. It has recently been restored and its walls, darkened over the centuries, have turned white again, giving the building a graceful weightlessness. At the same time, those who want to look at what is left of old church, can go down to the basement in the center of the cathedral, where its ruins are preserved.
The main facade of the Brussels Cathedral is a construction in the classical Gothic style: two rectangular towers are connected by a gallery entwined with openwork stone patterns. The height of the towers is 69 meters, overcoming which, you will find yourself on a terrace with a picturesque view.
Climbing the majestic stone staircase and entering the main gate of the cathedral, it is impossible to remain indifferent to the amazing size of the rooms, the height of the vaulted ceilings, the beauty and scale of the columns, decorated with life-size baroque sculptures of the apostles. The high windows of the cathedral are decorated with colored stained-glass windows - another element inherent in classical Gothic. The stained glass windows depict historical fragments from the life of Our Lady, most of them were created during the Renaissance. Coloring the sunlight passing through them, the stained-glass windows immerse the premises of the cathedral in a bewitching magical twilight.
The main pulpit of the Cathedral of St. Michael and Gudula is also decorated in the Baroque style. The pulpit is divided into two parts: below is a scene of the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise, in the upper part - the Virgin Mary with the Child piercing the snake with a spear.
In addition to visual enjoyment of the beauty of the Brussels Cathedral, everyone who comes here can get to an organ music concert right in the cathedral. And on Sundays, wonderful melodies played by 49 bells of the south tower of the cathedral sound throughout the district.
Practical information
Address: Cathedrale Saints-Michel-et-Gudule de Bruxelles, Parvis sainte-Gudule - 1000 Bruxelles.
The first brick of this magnificent temple was laid in 1226 by Henry I, Duke of Brabant, and was only completed under Charles V. Through the glass openings in the floor of the church, you can see the remains of the previous 11th century church. The image of the temple that has survived to this day was built according to the project of the architect Jean van Rusbroeck, the author of the central city hall of Brussels.
Cathedral St. Michael combines Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles. Even Victor Hugo called him real gothic cathedral. Before visitors appears two symmetrical towers, made in the Gothic style and having a total height of 69 meters. A large portal adorned with statues of saints opens in the center. Inside each tower there are long staircases leading to a beautiful terrace at a height of 64 meters.
You can enter the temple through powerful doors decorated with forged reliefs. Believers can see the luxurious interior of the temple, including amazing stained-glass windows and the main altar, made of carved oak and decorated with chased copper figures.
The temple is consecrated in honor of St. Michael - heavenly patron cities. In addition, the relics of St. Gudule are kept in the walls of the church. According to legend, she was the daughter of a Carolingian aristocrat of the 7th century and led a pious lifestyle. For her constancy at the moment of life's test, she was canonized. According to legend, the demon prevented reading religious literature at night, and she lit the extinguished candle again and again.
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brussels cathedral Saints Michael and Gudula, located on the Treirenberg hill, is the main religious building and constantly enjoys increased attention not only from believers, but also ordinary people, paying tribute to its impressive architectural appearance. Today, the temple is a unique example of Gothic medieval art and, along with such masterpieces as the legendary in and inimitable in, is one of the most famous medieval cathedrals in Europe. Its construction began in the first half of the 11th century, when the relics of St. Gudula were transferred to it from Flanders. In 1200, it was restored and supplemented with a number of architectural elements, and the building was completely completed in the mid-80s of the XV century.
The exterior of the Brussels Cathedral is expressed in the form of a symmetrical Gothic composition framed by two imposing towers reaching a height of 64 meters. The main facade of the building is equipped with four doors with three lancet portals and sculptures of saints installed above them. The author of the central part of the temple was the architect Jan van Ruysbroek, who also designed the City Hall. The total outer length of the cathedral is 114 meters, with a facade width of 35 meters. The entrance to the building is preceded by a wide massive staircase built in 1861. Interior decoration The temple impresses with its scope and grandeur. Particularly impressive are the magnificent colored stained-glass windows that seem gigantic from below, through which sunlight penetrates inside. IN different years they were performed by masters Jan Hack and Jean-Baptiste Capronier.
For many centuries, the Brussels Cathedral has been a silent witness to many sad and great events, keeping the memory of them within its powerful walls. The 20th century was marked for the temple a large number restorations, which mainly affected the finishing elements and did not change its appearance. 3 important events took place here recently. In 1995, Pope John Paul II honored the cathedral with his attention, and 4 years later, a solemn marriage ceremony took place here between Duke Philip of Brabant and Duchess Matilda of Brabant. In 2003, a similar procedure took place here, linking the inviolable bonds of marriage between Prince Laurent of Belgium and Princess Claire Coombs. At the moment, religious services and organ concerts are regularly held in the cathedral. Today, the Brussels Cathedral is deservedly considered one of the main attractions of the Belgian capital and undoubtedly deserves special attention.
Brussels Cathedral - Saint-Michel-et-Gudul ( Cathédrale Saints-Michel-et-Gudule de Bruxelles)- one of the most beautiful temples of the capital of Belgium. Real Sample gothic art, it annually attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world.
The famous Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula, also called Brussels Cathedral, is located in the center of the Belgian capital, very close to the main station - Bruxelles Central and Gare Centrale metro station. Open seven days a week from 8 am to 4 pm, except public holidays. But even at a time when the temple closes its doors, the flow of tourists does not dry out - those who want to see one of the most beautiful churches There are a lot of Europe.
Brussels Cathedral - Saint-Michel e Gudul - stained glass windows 
Brussels Cathedral - Saint-Michel e Gudul - relics
The church existed here as early as the 9th century, which is not surprising - at the crossroads a temple was built in honor of St. Michael, who was considered the protector of travelers. Own modern name the cathedral received after in 1047 the Count of Leuven ordered the construction of a Romanesque church in honor of St. Gudula, whose relics were brought to the illuminated house of God in 1051.
However, that construction option did not last long: in 1225 the first stone was laid in the foundation of the majestic Gothic church, the construction of which lasted almost 300 years. During this time, the building received two slender towers 69 meters high, as well as skillfully decorated facades, when looking at which any traveler recalls famous Cathedral Notre Dame of Paris. Construction work lasted almost 300 years and was completed only in 1485, shortly before the accession to the throne of Emperor Charles V.
Brussels Cathedral - Saint-Michel e Gudul - inside 
Brussels Cathedral - Saint-Michel e Gudul - organ
The dimensions of the building are impressive - with a length of 114 meters, the cathedral has an internal area of more than 5,000 square meters, and the vaults rise to 26.5 meters in height. If we compare the building with the Parisian "brother", then in terms of scale, the Brussels Cathedral loses slightly.
But it is more difficult to determine the leader in beauty and elegance - the stone from the Flemish quarries used for the construction of the building is malleable during processing, this allowed the architects to realize many interesting ornaments. So, along the main facade, decorated with three portals, there are numerous arcades and niches. The central portal hides the statues of saints, and above it, there is a larger window. True, it is no longer the wicker rose that was originally, but a traditional Gothic window.
The interior of the cathedral is amazing. The vault is supported by Romanesque pillars adorned with statues of saints. The Gothic choirs with the mausoleums of the Duke of Brabant and Archduke Ernest of Austria are illuminated by the light from the high windows, which have preserved stained glass windows created in the 16th century. And in the center of the nave is a large organ with 4,300 pipes. There are 49 bells on the southern tower of the cathedral, on which concerts are sometimes given on Sunday.
It is simply impossible to visit Belgium and not visit the cathedral. Uniting believers from different countries, after the headquarters of the European Union was located in Brussels, the Brussels Cathedral of Saint-Michel-et-Gudul has also become a place where nations unite.
Brussels Cathedral, due to its importance, is often used for Catholic ceremonies and national celebrations such as royal marriages or state funerals. For example, in 1999, the wedding of Prince Philip and Matilda d "Udekem d" Acoz took place.
Address: Place Sainte-Gudule, 1000 Bruxelles
Victor Hugo called Brussels Cathedral the only true Gothic temple. This architectural monument links the lower and upper towns. Interestingly, with its towers, it is very reminiscent of its famous "brother" - Notre Dame de Paris.
History of creation
Brussels Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula rises majestically on a hill called Trorenberg. It is rightfully considered the main one in the eleventh century in its place was built in the church of St. Michael. Two centuries later, it was transformed into a Gothic one. Apparently, therefore, the appearance that the Brussels Cathedral has today, its interiors and facades are a combination of these two directions.
The history of this amazing beautiful and majestic architectural monument its roots go back to the thirteenth century. In 1226, the Duke of Brabant Henry laid the first brick in his building. However, the construction was completed only during the reign of Charles V the Great. Fragments that remain of a previous Romanesque church dating from the eleventh century can today be seen by visitors through glass openings arranged in the floor. Brussels Cathedral (Belgium) in its modern form is an overlay of several architectural trends, including the Renaissance, Romanesque and Gothic.
Description
The main façade begins with a monumental staircase. The first thing that catches the eye of a tourist is two square towers sixty-nine meters high. They are interconnected by a gable roof, which is decorated with niches and arcades. A fairly large portal with statues of saints opens in the central part. The side facades, from the point of view of architecture, are almost in no way inferior to the appearance of the main facade. A fairly large oblong window is arranged above the portal.
With its exterior, the Brussels Cathedral (Belgium) is a Gothic symmetrical composition. Its twin towers shone after the city authorities removed the age-old dirt from their walls. Inside each of them there are long stairs that lead to a terrace at a height of sixty-four meters. An amazing panorama of the city opens from here.
On the main facade there are four doors with three lancet portals for entrances, decorated with sculptures of saints along the top. Brussels Cathedral was built by the architect Jean van Rusbreek, the author of the city hall.
The doors of the temple are decorated with forged reliefs, and a huge stained-glass window is made above its central entrance.
Dimensions
The length of the cathedral is one hundred and fourteen meters with a length of one hundred and nine. The height of its two towers is 64 m. Interestingly, similar elements are almost two times lower. The height of the main hall is twenty-five meters, and the columns are six hundred and seventy centimeters.
In honor of which this cathedral in Brussels is named, has long been considered the patron saint of the city. But the name of Saint Gudula does not mean anything to most people. In general, little is known about this daughter of a wealthy Carolingian aristocrat of the seventh century, although her relics have been kept here for more than a millennium. Tourists are told a legend that this devout young resident of Brussels at night was prevented by an annoying demon from reading religious books: he kept blowing out the candles. Every time the girl lit them again, and, apparently, for such constancy, she was canonized.
Interior decoration
The construction of the Brussels Cathedral lasted for three whole centuries. Several years ago it was restored. Its walls, which had darkened considerably over the centuries, again sparkled with whiteness, giving the structure an air of incredible grace and weightlessness. Tourists are allowed to go down to the basement, located in the center of the cathedral, where they can see the ruins of the original church.
If you climb the majestic stone staircase and enter the main gate, then the eye will see amazingly large rooms. It is impossible to remain indifferent to the beauty of the vaulted ceilings, the height and scale of the columns, which are decorated with life-size depictions of the apostles.
Brussels Cathedral has rather high windows. They are decorated with beautiful colored stained-glass windows. This is another element that is inherent in classic Gothic. The stained glass windows depict historical fragments describing the life of the Mother of God, and most of them date back to the Renaissance. Coloring the sun's rays passing through them, colored glass immerses the space of the temple in a bewitching twilight.
The main pulpit in the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula is also made in the Baroque style. It is divided into two parts: from the bottom it depicts the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise, and from the top, the Virgin Mary with the Child looks at the visitors.
Note to tourists
In addition to enjoying the stunning beauty of the Brussels Cathedral, everyone who comes here can listen to an organ music concert. On Sundays, melodies are heard here, which are played by forty-nine bells of the southern tower of the temple. The cathedral is open for visiting all week: from Monday to Friday it can be accessed from seven in the morning to six in the evening, and on Saturdays and Sundays it opens an hour later.
