Cathédrale St. Michel et Godule

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Cathédrale St. Michel et Godule - Brussels

The construction of the cathedral St Michel et Gudule started around 1225, under the kingdom of Henry I duke of Brabant, and continued for over three centuries. The cathedral is the most representative gothic church of the Country. During the kingdom of Charles V in the XVI century two twin towers were added on the façade, which still tower over the city. Unfortunately the church was subject to several plunders over the centuries, especially from the French troops, so the inside appears quite plain. At the end of the past century the Cathedral underwent serious restoration work, which brought back to life the rests of a pre- existing church dated 1047. The ruins are kept today inside the crypt. Worth to be admired is above all the Window of the Universal Judgement, a gorgeous polychrome window dated 1528, which represents Christ waiting for the saved souls. Another precious work is the baroque wooden pulpit, a work by the Belgian sculptor Verbruggen, situated in the central nave of the church.
The Cathedral also keeps the statue of Sainte Gudule and Saint Michel, patron saint of Brussels, with the archangel Michael portrayed in the act of killing a dragon to protect the city.

Info:
Parvis Ste-Gudule
Bus: 65, 66
Metro: Parc, Gre Centrale
Opening hours of the crypt: Tuesday to Friday from 7 am to 18 pm; Saturday and Sunday from 8.30 am to 18 pm.

St Michel et Godule