Description of the attraction
The Church of St. Michael is located in the small square of Saint-Michelsplein near the bridge of St. Michael, which connects the two banks of the Leie. It is famous for its low 23-meter tower, which reminds of the ambitious plans of the architect Livinus Kruil, which remained unrealized. He worked on the reconstruction of the church in 1662 and wanted to build a 134-meter-high tower at the temple, which would exceed the 89-meter bell tower of St. Bavo's Cathedral. The Brabant Gothic tower was never completed for financial reasons. For a long time it stood unfinished, until in 1828 it was covered with a flat roof.
Thus, it should be concluded that the construction of the Church of St. Michael lasted about 400 years: from 1440 to 1828. On the site where the current Church of St. Michael was built, a chapel previously stood, which was first mentioned in 1105. It was demolished due to dilapidation and impossibility of restoration. The new temple was built in parts: first the nave and transept, then the choirs and a number of chapels. Once - during the Reformation - the construction was interrupted. Red brick and white limestone were used in the construction of the church, which create an interesting contrast.
The rich decoration of the church should be noted: an altar, a neo-Gothic pulpit, carved confessionals made in the manner of Baroque, Rococo and neoclassicism, several sculptures of the 18th century and many paintings of the Baroque era, including Christ on the Cross by Anthony van Dyck and paintings by Philippe de Champagne.
