Description of the attraction
The huge Basilica of the Holy Heart, the sixth largest Catholic church in the world, is located outside the historic center of Brussels - on Boulevard Leopold II. This building rises to a height of 90 meters, the length of its nave is 140 meters. The basilica began to be built only in 1905 and finished only in 1969. There is an observation deck on its dome, from where you can see not only Brussels, but even the neighboring city of Mechelen.
A small hill in Elizabeth Park, as if by nature itself, was intended for the construction of some majestic structure. The first Belgian king Leopold I planned to build his own palace here. After his father's death, his son Leopold II decided to build here a semblance of the Parisian Pantheon, but this idea did not evoke a response in the hearts of the townspeople. At the beginning of the 20th century, the king had to visit the Sacre Coeur church, which is located in the French capital. He really liked it, so the king began to dream of the Brussels Basilica, consecrated in honor of the Sacred Heart. The first stone in the foundation of the future neo-Gothic temple was laid by the king himself in 1905, but soon the funding for the construction ceased. By 1919, only the foundation was ready. Already the third Belgian monarch Albert I decided to continue construction, however, he completely revised the project of the future temple. Now Albert Van Huffel was appointed as the architect of the church.
The reinforced concrete basilica decorated with bricks is highly functional. Its space is thought out in such a way that it is convenient and comfortable, first of all, for believers. In the most unthinkable corners, altars and statues are installed, in front of which you can offer prayers. In addition to the prayer hall, there are also several museums and a restaurant.
