Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula |
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50°50′52″N 4°21′37″E / 50.84778°N 4.36028°E | |
Location | Parvis Sainte-Gudule / Sinter-Goedelevoorplein B-1000 City of Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region |
Country | Belgium |
Denomination | Roman Catholic |
History | |
Status | Co-cathedral (Cathedral status from 1962) |
Dedication | Saint Gudula and Saint Michael (patron saints of Brussels) |
Architecture | |
Functional status | Active |
Heritage designation | Protected |
Designated | 05/03/1936 |
Architectural type | Church |
Style | Gothic, Brabantine Gothic |
Years built | 11th–15th centuries (church) 1485 (facade 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 | ![]() |
St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral is the Cathedral in Brussels. It is named in honour of St. Michael and St. Gudula. In Dutch it is called Sint-Michiels- en Sint-Goedelekathedraal, usually shortened to "Sint-Goedele". In French it is called Cathédrale Saints-Michel-et-Gudule.It is the main church of the bishop of Brussels and Mechelen.
There already was a shrine (or chapel) to Saint Michael there in the 8th century. The Cathedral was begun in 1226. Building finished when the belltower (or belfry) was done, at the end of the 15th century. The cathedral is built in Gothic style. As it is the main Church of the Kingom of Belgium, there are often royal ceremonies (marriages, funerals) there.
Images for kids
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Statue of Saint Michael
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Chapel of St. Mary Magdalen (or Maes Chapel)
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Bust of King Baudouin in front of the Cathedral
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The nave lined with cylindrical columns supporting the twelve statues of the apostles
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The vault of the choir
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Marble and alabaster altarpiece by Jean Mone (1538)
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Western facade: stained glass window by Jan Haeck after Bernard van Orley depicting the Last Judgement (1528)
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Northern transept: stained glass window by Jan Haeck after Bernard van Orley depicting Charles V (1537)