Description of the attraction
The Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula is located on the Treurenberg Hill in Brussels, on the border between the old and new parts of the city. The church is a magnificent work of Gothic art, the saints of which are also the patron saints of the Belgian capital. This architectural structure with symmetrical towers, columns with openwork capitals, statues of saints and beautiful stained-glass windows is a working cult cathedral that attracts the attention of tourists and guests of the capital. It is on a par with the Antwerp Cathedral and Notre Dame de Paris in terms of its cultural significance. Here is the mausoleum of the Belgian national hero - Frederic de Merode.
Initially, the cathedral was named after St. Michael. However, after the transfer of the remains of Gudula to the church in 1047. behind it the modern double name has become firmly established. The original building was made in the Romanesque style, however, after reconstruction in the XIII century. it was changed to gothic. Cathedral height - 64m, length - 110m; for comparison - the height of Notre Dame in Paris is 33m. The cathedral has a large and beautiful organ.
Such significant events for Belgium were held in the Cathedral: the funeral of Albert I in 1934 and his wife Astrid of Sweden in 1965; in 1995 it was visited by Pope John Paul II. In 1999, the marriage was concluded between Duke Philip and Duchess Matilda, and in 2003 - Prince Laurent and Princess Claire.
