This impressive Gothic cathedral towers over the city of Brussels and contains ancient ruins and a crypt.
Resting atop Treurenberg Hill, the Cathedral of St. Michael houses the remains of a Romanesque church and attracts visitors with its exquisite Gothic-style exterior and beautiful interior.
The Cathedral of St. Michael is one of Brussels’ most significant sites and over the centuries the church has undergone many renovations. In the 1980s it was discovered that the Gothic-style building that visitors see today, which was constructed largely in the 13th century, was built on top of an 11th-century Romanesque church. The remains of this earlier version of the church can still be seen below the ground level.
Get a perfect view of the church’s decorative façade by walking towards the cathedral from Central Square or the Grand Place. As you approach the cathedral, you will pass a little garden. The 64-metre (210 foot) tall towers of the Cathedral often cast their shadows on this small green space, which is an ideal place for a relaxing picnic. On Sundays, all 49 of the cathedral’s bells ring in unison.
Upon entering the cathedral, your eyes are immediately drawn upwards towards the intricate and lofty arches that support the ceiling. Admire the cathedral’s Baroque pulpit. Made in the 17th century, the intricately carved figures on this remarkable wooden podium distinguish it as one of the finest in the country.
Below the ground floor of the cathedral, visitors can see the ruins of the 11th-century Romanesque on which the cathedral was built, as well as an ancient crypt. This area of the church is open daily, but there is a small entrance fee.
The Cathedral of St. Michael is nearby downtown Brussels and is easily accessible by foot. The cathedral is also within a block of Gare Central (Central Station) for visitors who wish to arrive on public transportation. There is no entrance fee for the cathedral, which is open every day.
