Paris1972-Versailles2003

In our trips to Brussels, we discovered many things, many are very popular, after all a popular tourist destination. The City is unique, with its architecture and history, and I like it. I have mentioned it in  my many previous blog posts on Brussels , and again found me some pictures not in my blog that should be, Therefore, here is my take again on the Cathedral Saint Michael and Saint Gudule of Brussels, part II !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I

I am lucky to have family right by the border Belgium/France and had used them as a base to go into Brussels and Belgium and its wonderful cities many times.

The Cathedral Saint Michael and Saint Gudule has 114 meters long with the towers at 64 meters ,inside the width is 54 meters and the ceiling is at 25 meters. The Cathedral has beautiful stained glass windows, notably from the 16C, 17C and 19C. The interior in the nave with eight barlongues or rectangular spans, the elevation is three levels: large arcades communicating with the two collateral, triforium and high windows ; the ones on the right represent Thaddeus, Matthew, Philip, Thomas, James the Mayor and Paul.  Sixteen small lateral Chapels (eight in the north and eight in the south) open on the aisles. Each is equipped with a large, flamboyant bay with 19C stained-glass windows.  The nave features a 17C baroque pulpit carved in 1699.

The  Choir of the Cathedral also has three rectangular bays and a five-pans apse. Its elevation in three levels; large arcades communicating with the ambulatory, triforium and high windows. It is surrounded by a large ambulatory which opens the large hexagonal baroque chapel of the Madeleine is today called Chapelle Maes. Built in the 17C, it is baroque-style and hexagonal in shape. It is lodged between the abutments of the two posterior buttresses of the bedside. It is surmounted by a small dome, which itself is crowned with a lace-up lantern. The Chapel is endowed with berries including the 19C stained glass.

The addition of two large lateral Chapels at the level of this choir ; Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament ,flamboyant Gothic style built in the 16C, and Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-la-Deliverance made it so much wider than the nave and even the transept, although the latter was  done at the end of the 14C, by the addition of a narthex at the end of the south brace. Like the latter, it constitutes a small Church in the Cathedral, located to the right (south) of the ambulatory with which it communicates by four large arcades. Built at the request of the Infante of Spain Isabel (daughter of king Felipe  II of Spain) that had married Archduke Albert of Habsburg, it was completed in 1649.

The Official Cathedral St Michael and St Gudule: https://www.cathedralisbruxellensis.be/en/

The Brussels tourist office on the Cathedral St Michael and St Gudule:  https://www.visit.brussels/en/visitors/venue-details.Cathedrale-Saints-Michel-et-Gudule.478

Beautiful 3D view of the exterior and interior of the Cathedral on the ilotsacre site: http://www.ilotsacre.be/images/virtualvisit/sainte_gudule-sint_goedele.htm

The Heritage monuments of Brussels on the Cathedral : https://monument.heritage.brussels/fr/buildings/30595

There you go folks, there are so much to see in Brussels ,and some are very popular, but this is part of the history of the city, its architecture styles, and beautiful place to see. Again, hope you enjoy the post on the the Cathedral Saint Michael and Saint Gudule of Brussels, part II !!! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!