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Cathedral of Saints Michael & Gudula

Brussels, Belgium

Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, Brussels, Belgium

Belgium // Brussels Belgium· Christian Art & Architecture· Churches & Cathedrals Location: [post_gps_latitude], [post_gps_longitude]

Most churches count their blessings to have one patron saint. This one has two. And, as it happens, they’re both also the co-patron saints of Brussels.

It wasn’t always that way. There’s been a church on this spot since at least the 11th century–perhaps even two centuries before that. You can now tour part of the original foundations in an exposed archaeological site underneath the main floor in the cathedral’s crypt.

But it was originally devoted to the Archangel Michael. Though he’s not technically a saint–he’s an angel–he’s considered the patron saint of Brussels, and you can see images of him slaying dragons everywhere from city light posts to standing on the very top of the spire of the Town Hall on Grand Place. He’s usually depicted killing the dragon, symbolic in times past of protection of the city. (You can also see him in Bruges and other Belgian towns.)

Gudula’s claim to sainthood seems based on her piety. She’s often represented with a candle or lantern, supposedly representative of the light she carried in her pre-dawn walks to the church, two miles from her home. When a demon extinguished the light, Gudula appealed to God to rekindle it. He granted her request.

But Gudula clearly came from pretty remarkable stock. Her mother, Amalberga of Maubeuge, is also venerated as a saint, as are four of her siblings. (This predated the “modern” process of papal canonization. At that time, someone could be celebrated as a saint by “spontaneous local attribution.” Interestingly, even early saints such as Saint Peter and Saint Paul were never formally canonized–they were instead proclaimed saints by early Christians.)

But in the 11th century, the relics of Saint Gudula were moved here. But they’re long gone now. They were plundered when the church was pillaged in 1579.

Since 1962, when the church was granted cathedral status. It’s also the national church of Belgium, making it the scene of royal weddings and coronations. And, as you can see from the photos, it bears more than a passing resemblance to Notre Dame in Paris.

Photos of the Cathedral of Saints Michael & Gudula

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Wide-Angle Nave

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula King Baudouin Statue

A statue of King Baudouin in the park across the street from the cathedral.

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Statue and Stained Glass Window

Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, Brussels, Belgium

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Statue and Votives

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula St Michael Statue Full

A statue of St Michel (St Michael).

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Pulpit and Pipe Organ

Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, Brussels, Belgium

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Interior

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Westbau Excavation

Excavations underneath the cathedral exposed the original Westbau, or projecting point, that was a fortified, protected area for the people of the Middle Ages and is a typical element of Romanesque churches

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Saint Gudula

A statue of Saint Gudula.

Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, Brussels, Belgium

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Archeological Excavation

Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, Brussels, Belgium

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Side

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula at Night

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Pipe Organ

The pipe organ.

Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula in Brussels

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Crucifixion Painting

Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, Brussels, Belgium

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Stained Glass Window

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Pulpit Detail

Part of the ornately carved wooden pulpit.

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Three Stained Glass Windows

Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, Brussels, Belgium

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Windows

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Nave Outside

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Interior Detail

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Altar

Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, Brussels, Belgium

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Sculptures

Gargoyle on the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, Brussels, Belgium

Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, Brussels, Belgium

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Votives

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Decorations

Brussels Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula Three Statues

What To Know Before You Go

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Travel Advice for Belgium

You can find the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and information for Belgium (such as entry visa requirements and vaccination requirements) here.

The British and Australian governments offer their own country-specific travel information. You can find the British Government's travel advice for Belgium here and the Australian Government's here.

Health & Vaccinations

The CDC makes country-specific recommendations for vaccinations and health for travelers. You can find their latest information for Belgium here.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.


Location: Brussels
Country: Belgium
Coordinates:
      Latitude: 50.84785000
      Longitude: 4.35961944

      # Brussels Belgium
      # Christian Art & Architecture
      # Churches & Cathedrals



About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find my photography gear reviews and tips at havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

Licensing & Prints

Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

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Photos by David Coleman. Please contact me for licensing images.
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