Cathedrals of Belgium: Five – Brussels Cathedral St-michael and Gudula

The Cathedral Saint-Michael and Saint-Gudula in Brussels is an extremely harmonious Gothic edifice built in the “Gothique Brabançon”, a style so characteristic of the beautiful Belgian Region of Brabant. It was started in 1220 by the choir with five sides, the ambulatory and radiating chapels. Two straight bays of the choir are part of this first campaign of construction whereas a third one replaced the Romanesque bay at the end of the XIIIth century. The elevation presents three storeys with a blind triforium, nowadays artfully  lighted during the ceremonies. The transept has five bays and the the first four in the nave (flanked by side-aisles) date from 1328 and 1372. They were followed by the seventh and eighth bays of the grand nave with the harmonic façade. It is perforated with a large window decorated with elegant geometrical traceries (late XIVth and early XVth centuries). The grand staircase in front of the cathedral adds to the solemnity of the cathedral. Outside, the chapels all have the triangular gable, typical of the “Gothique Brabançon”.

The Romanesque tower, that had not been destroyed,  was then replaced by bays 6 and 7 as from 1415. And finally the two bell towers received the upper storeys but without  spires, in the middle of the XVth century.  They were designed by Jan Van Ruysbroeck. The vast nave whose columns are adorned with 12 Baroque statues of the Apostles (XVIIth century) has a beautiful triforium and large windows.

Inside many works of art of the Baroque period such as the extraordinary pulpit and altars are a real must-see.  The beautiful stained glass windows are from the XIVth to the XIXth centuries. The grandiose organs shall be given a special attention. 

Here ends this series on Belgian Cathedrals. Of course Belgium has many more Gothic edifices.

West façade of Cathedral St-Michael and Gudula, Brussels.

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Photo by: Donaldytong

Nave of the cathedral.

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The organs of the cathedral.

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Photo by: Colm Rice

Chapel in the cathedral.

Image source – photo by: Donaldytong 

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Adam and Eve expelled from Eden, detail of the pulpit carved by Hendrik Frans Verbruggen (1669).

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Photo by: Myrabella

Apse of the cathedral. Note the triangular gable typical of the “Gothique Brabançon”.

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Photo by: Ellywa.