Saint Michael and Gudula Cathedral

Gazing up at the Saint Michael and Gudula Cathedral, have you ever noticed the seemingly unfinished towers? They stand tall against the Brussels skyline. Yet they lack the ornate spires of other grand Gothic cathedrals. The Saint Michael and Gudula Cathedral is a magnificent blend of architectural styles. Its history stretches back to a simpler Romanesque church. This church began in the 11th century. It replaced an even older chapel. The current Gothic structure emerged over centuries, with the choir completed between 1226 and 1276. The nave and transept followed in the 14th and 16th centuries. The facade and those distinctive towers, designed by Jan van Ruysbroeck, were added between 1470 and 1485. He was also the architect behind Brussels’ Town Hall tower. Inside, the Saint Michael and Gudula Cathedral boasts stunning stained glass. Some windows are from the 16th century. Others date back to the 17th and 19th centuries. The large west-facing window depicts the Last Judgment. It was created in 1528 by Jan Haeck, based on designs by Bernard van Orley. These artists also crafted the transept windows. The north transept window showcases Emperor Charles V and his wife Isabella of Portugal. The south transept window features Louis II of Hungary and his wife Mary of Hungary. The Saint Michael and Gudula Cathedral has played host to key moments in Belgian history. It has witnessed royal weddings and state funerals. The church wasn’t granted cathedral status until 1962. It then became the co-cathedral of the Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels.