Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula
Cathédrale Saints-Michel-et-Gudule (French) Kathedraal van Sint-Michiel en Sint-Goedele (Dutch)
St. Michael and St. Gudula's Cathedral
50°50′52″N 4°21′37″E / 50.84778°N 4.36028°E / 50.84778; 4.36028
Location	Parvis Sainte-Gudule / Sinter-Goedelevoorplein 1000 City of Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region
Country	Belgium
Denomination	Catholic Church
History
Status	Co-cathedral (Cathedral status from 1962)
Dedication	Saint Michael Saint Gudula (patron saints of Brussels)
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Protected
Designated	05/03/1936
Architectural type	Cathedral
Style	Gothic Brabantine Gothic Baroque
Years built	11th–15th centuries (church) 1485 (façade and towers)
Groundbreaking	c. 9th century (chapel)
Completed	1519
Specifications
Number of towers	2
Number of spires	2
Spire height	64 metres (210 ft)
Administration
Archdiocese	Mechelen–Brussels

The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula is a beautiful old Catholic cathedral in the heart of Brussels, Belgium. People often call it the Cathedral of St. Gudula for short. It's named after Saint Michael and Saint Gudula, who are the special patron saints of Brussels. This cathedral is a great example of a building style called Brabantine Gothic architecture.

Building the church started way back in the 11th century. It replaced an even older chapel. Most of the church you see today was finished by the 16th century. However, its inside was changed many times over the years. The building has chapels built in the Baroque style. Some of its fancy stained glass windows were added during repairs in the 19th century. The cathedral is also known for its amazing music, with two pipe organs and huge church bells. It became a protected historic monument in 1936.

In 1962, the church became a cathedral. It now shares the title of main church for the Archdiocese of Mechelen–Brussels with St. Rumbold's Cathedral in Mechelen. Because it's Belgium's national church, it often hosts important events. These include royal weddings, state funerals, and other official ceremonies. For example, the Te Deum on Belgian National Day happens here.

Since the mid-1900s, the cathedral has been located on a large open space. This area is called the Parvis Sainte-Gudule or Sinter-Goedelevoorplein. It's easy to get to by train or metro.

History of the Cathedral
- How the Cathedral Began
- Modern History
What the Cathedral Looks Like
Outside the Cathedral
Inside the Cathedral
- The Nave
- Choir and Chapels Inside
Stained Glass Windows
Organs
Bells
Interesting Facts
- Falcons at the Cathedral
How the Cathedral is Used Today
See also

History of the Cathedral

How the Cathedral Began

The exact start of the cathedral is a bit of a mystery. But historians believe a small chapel dedicated to Saint Michael was here in the 9th century. This spot was very important in Brussels. It was where two big trade routes crossed. One route connected the County of Flanders to Cologne. The other went between Antwerp and Mons. This crossroads was on a hill called Treurenberg, which means "Mount of sorrows."

Detail of Pastoral Instruction, c. 1480, showing the Church of St. Gudula's north tower still incomplete

In the 11th century, a larger Romanesque church replaced the first chapel. In 1047, a local count named Lambert II, Count of Leuven and his wife brought the relics of Saint Gudula to this church. Relics are special items connected to a saint. In 1072, the church was blessed again, probably after a fire.

Later, in the 13th century, Henry I, Duke of Brabant added two round towers. His son, Henry II, Duke of Brabant, started building a Brabantine Gothic church in 1226. The main part where the choir sings was built between 1226 and 1276. The rest of the church, including the main hall and side parts, was built between the 14th and 16th centuries. The whole church took about 300 years to finish! It was mostly done just before Emperor Charles V began his rule in 1519.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, more chapels were added. These include the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament of the Miracle (1534–1539). Also, the Chapel of Our Lady of Deliverance (1649–1655) and the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalen (1672–1675). In 1579, the church was attacked and damaged by Protestant groups. Saint Gudula's relics were dug up and scattered. In the 1790s, French revolutionaries also looted and destroyed parts of the church.

Miniature of Margaret of York praying in front of the Church of St. Gudula, c. 1468
St. Gudula's Church, engraving by Erycius Puteanus, 1646
St. Gudula's Church, etching by Pieter Devel from Les délices des Pays-Bas, 1711
St. Gudula's Church, painting by Andreas Martin, before 1762

Modern History

The church was officially named a historic monument on March 5, 1936. In the mid-1900s, it was almost affected by a big railway project. But it was saved, and a large open space was built in front of it. This space is called the Parvis Sainte-Gudule. In 1962, the church became a co-cathedral. This means it shares the role of main church with St. Rumbold's Cathedral in Mechelen. The current patron saints, Saint Michael and Saint Gudula, are also the patron saints of Brussels.

The cathedral has been carefully restored many times. One big restoration happened between 1983 and 1999. During these works, archaeologists found parts of the older Romanesque church. They also found a crypt (an underground room) beneath the current choir.

Baptism of Crown Prince Louis-Philippe, son of King Leopold I, in St. Gudula's Church, 1833
The church in the early 20th century
The street (now demolished) in front of the church, in the 1920s
Funeral of Queen Elisabeth at the (by then) cathedral, November 30, 1965

What the Cathedral Looks Like

The cathedral's main features

Most of the cathedral is built in the Brabantine Gothic style. But some parts, like certain chapels, are in the newer Baroque style. It's one of three main Gothic churches still standing in central Brussels. The cathedral is made from stone from a place called Gobertange. This quarry is about 45 kilometers (28 miles) southeast of the cathedral.

The building has a classic shape, like a Latin cross. It is very large: 110 meters (360 feet) long and 30 meters (98 feet) wide. At the choir, it's 50 meters (164 feet) wide. The main hall is 26.5 meters (87 feet) high. The entrance towers reach a height of 69 meters (226 feet).

Outside the Cathedral

Main Front and Towers

The main front of the cathedral faces west. It has three main entrances, called portals. Above these are pointed decorations called gables. Two tall towers, 64 meters (210 feet) high, stand on either side. This design is typical of French Gothic style. Instead of a round rose window, it has a large pointed window in the Brabantine Gothic style. Strong supports called flying buttresses help hold up the building. They are decorated with pinnacles and gargoyles.

The two towers were built between 1470 and 1485. They were designed by Jan Van Ruysbroeck. He was also the architect for the tower of Brussels' Town Hall. The towers look unfinished because they don't have the tall, pointed spires seen on other Gothic cathedrals. They were meant to be much taller. Even so, they are a very important part of the Brussels skyline.

The front of the cathedral looks very tall and impressive. Four strong supports divide the three entrances. The two outer supports are even bigger. They have tall, narrow towers that go from the bottom to the top of the main towers. The front is also divided into three horizontal levels. The bottom level has the three entrances. The middle level has the large main window. The top level has a big triangular shape called a tympanum. It is topped with flaming pinnacles, with the central one reaching 55 meters (180 feet) high.

The western façade
The central portal
Ogival window and decorative merlon
Statue of Saint Michael slaying the dragon

Chapels on the Outside

On each side of the main choir, two large chapels stick out. These were added later. The northern chapel, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament of the Miracle, was built in the 16th century. The southern chapel, the Chapel of Our Lady of Deliverance, was built in the 17th century. These chapels are so big that the cathedral looks like it has three choirs. Behind the main choir, there's a Baroque chapel dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen. It was added between 1672 and 1675. It has an octagonal shape with a dome and a small tower on top.

View of the apse and chapels
Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament of the Miracle
Chapel of St. Mary Magdalen (or Maes Chapel)

Staircase and Front Area

The grand staircase in front of the cathedral was built between 1702 and 1707. It was a gift from the City of Brussels. This staircase was originally part of the city walls.

In the gardens in front of the cathedral, there is a statue of King Baudouin. It was made by the sculptor Henri Lenaerts. The statue was finished in 1996. It was placed in its current spot in 2003–04, when the green space was updated. In June 2020, the bust was damaged.

View of the monumental staircase
Bust of King Baudouin in front of the cathedral
Closeup of King Baudouin's bust

Inside the Cathedral

The Nave

The main hall, called the nave, shows all the features of Brabantine Gothic style. The ceilings, called vaults, are not too high. Strong, round columns line the central aisle of the nave. Their tops are shaped like cabbage leaves. Statues of the twelve apostles are attached to these columns. These statues are from the 17th century. They replaced older ones that were destroyed in 1566.

The nave also has a beautiful Baroque pulpit from the 17th century. It was made by a sculptor named Hendrik Frans Verbruggen in 1699. The bottom part shows Adam and Eve being sent out of the Garden of Eden. At the top, the Madonna and Child are shown.

To the right of the northern entrance, there's a lovely 17th-century sculpture. It shows The education of the Holy Virgin by Saint Anna. The side aisles have 17th-century oak confessionals. The cathedral also holds the unmarked burial place of Dermot O'Mallun. He was an important Irish leader.

The nave lined with cylindrical columns supporting the twelve statues of the apostles
Baroque pulpit by Hendrik Frans Verbruggen (1699)
Adam and Eve expelled from the Garden of Eden, detail of the pulpit
Confessional by anonymous (17th century)

Choir and Chapels Inside

The choir is the area where the clergy and choir sit. It is in the Gothic style. It has three rectangular sections and a five-sided end part called an apse. It also contains the tombs of the Dukes of Brabant and Archduke Ernest of Austria. These were made in the 17th century. The choir has three levels: large arches, a middle walkway, and high windows.

To the left of the choir is the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament of the Miracle. It was built in a fancy Gothic style between 1534 and 1539. This chapel now holds the Treasure of the Cathedral. Here you can see the famous Drahmal Cross, an old cross-shaped container for relics from the 11th century.

To the right of the choir is the Chapel of Our Lady of Deliverance (1649–1655). It has a Baroque altar from 1666. Behind the choir is a Baroque chapel for St. Mary Magdalen. It was built between 1672 and 1675. It has a beautiful marble and alabaster altar piece from 1538. This artwork shows scenes from the Passion of Christ.

The choir
Ceiling
The vault of the choir
Marble and alabaster altarpiece by Jean Mone (1538)
Statue of Saint Gudula

Stained Glass Windows

The cathedral has many beautiful stained glass windows. They are from the 16th, 17th, and 19th centuries. Most were made between 1525 and 1663. A very special one is the large window on the western front. It shows the Last Judgement. This window was made in 1528 by Jan Haeck from Antwerp. His design was based on drawings by Bernard van Orley.

Jan Haeck and Van Orley also created the windows in the northern and southern side parts of the church. The northern window, from 1537, shows Charles V and his wife Isabella of Portugal praying. The southern window, from 1538, shows Charles' brother-in-law, Louis II of Hungary, and his wife Mary of Hungary praying.

The Chapel of Our Lady of Deliverance has stained glass windows by Jean De Labaer. These windows, made between 1654 and 1663, show important moments in the life of the Virgin Mary.

There are also fifteen impressive stained glass windows from the 19th century in the side aisles. These were made by Jean-Baptiste Capronnier around 1870. They were created for a celebration related to a historical event from 1370. In 1977, the Cardinal of Mechelen–Brussels, Leo Joseph Suenens, placed a plaque in the cathedral. This plaque stated that the church no longer supported the old stories about the 1370 events.

Western façade: stained glass window by Jan Haeck after Bernard van Orley depicting the Last Judgement (1528)
Northern transept: stained glass window by Jan Haeck after Bernard van Orley depicting Charles V (1537)
Southern transept: stained glass window by Jan Haeck after Bernard van Orley depicting Louis II of Hungary (1538)
Three scenes of the Legend of the Sacrament of Miracle. Stained glass windows by Jean-Baptiste Capronnier (c. 1870)

Organs

The large pipe organ in the nave was first played in October 2000. It hangs high up like a swallow's nest organ. It has 4300 pipes, 63 stops, 4 keyboards, and a pedal-board. This amazing instrument was made by Gerhard Grenzing from Barcelona.

The smaller choir organ was built in 1977 by Patrick Collon.

Organ by Gerhard Grenzing (2000)
Choir organ by Patrick Collon [de] (1977)

Bells

Both towers of the cathedral have bells. The south tower has a carillon with 49 bells, made in 1966. You can often hear concerts played on these bells on Sundays. Only seven of these bells can actually ring. They are named Fabiola, Maria, Michael, Gudula, Philippe, Astrid, and Laurent. Fabiola, Philippe, Astrid, and Laurent are named after members of the Belgian royal family.

The north tower has one very large bell called Salvator. It was made in 1638. There's also an empty space where another large bell used to be.

Nr.	Name	Mass (kg)	Note	Tower
1	Salvator	6645	G₀	North
2	Fabiola	3164	B♯₀	South
3	Maria	2298	C₁	South
4	Michael	1628	D₁	South
5	Gudula	1332	E₁	South
6	Philippe	975	F₁	South
7	Astrid	690	G₁	South
8	Laurent	485	A₁	South

Interesting Facts

Falcons at the Cathedral

In the late 1990s, people who study birds, called ornithologists, found a pair of peregrine falcons living on the cathedral's towers. In 2001, scientists put a special nest box on the building. They hoped the falcons would use it to build a nest. The falcons didn't use that box. But in the spring of 2004, a pair of falcons nested on a balcony on the northern tower. The female laid three eggs.

Watching the three baby falcons play on the cathedral's gargoyles gave people an idea. In May 2004, a project called "Falcons for everyone" started. They put cameras on the towers with a live video stream on their website. This way, everyone could watch the falcons!

How the Cathedral is Used Today

The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula is the co-cathedral for the Archbishop of Mechelen–Brussels. The current Archbishop is Luc Terlinden. Because the cathedral is in Belgium's capital city, it's often used for important national Catholic events. These include royal weddings and state funerals. For example, in 1999, Prince Philippe and Mathilde d'Udekem d'Acoz were married there. Other official ceremonies, like the Te Deum on Belgian National Day, are also held here. The king and other important people attend these events.