Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula (Brussels)
The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, usually known simply as St. Gudula, is the great medieval cathedral of central Brussels and the co-patron saints' church of the Belgian capital. Built in Brabantine Gothic style largely between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries on a hillside between the upper and lower town, its harmonious twin west towers, designed by Jan van Ruysbroeck, present one of the finest church facades in the Low Countries.
The luminous interior is celebrated for its sixteenth-century stained-glass windows, including grand Renaissance compositions depicting Habsburg rulers, and for the exuberant Baroque pulpit carved by Hendrik Frans Verbruggen, a tour de force of wood depicting Adam and Eve being driven from Eden. Archaeological remains of the earlier Romanesque church can be viewed beneath the present floor.
Though not technically the seat of an archbishop, the cathedral serves as the national church of Belgium and is the setting for royal weddings, state funerals and Te Deums attended by the monarchy. It remains both an active place of worship and a serene haven of art and history in the bustling heart of Brussels.
- Location
- 50.8478, 4.3603
- Local time
- 00:37 (Europe/Brussels)
🕘 Visiting hours
| Mon–Fri | 08:00–18:00 |
| Sat | 08:00–15:30 |
| Sun | 14:00–18:00 |
Tourist visits suspended during services; Sat last entry ~15:30, Sun open to visitors from early afternoon.
✨ Saints & blessed venerated here
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Saint Michael the Archangel Saint
Co-patron; the cathedral's chapel and dedication honour him.
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Saint Gudula of Brabant Saint
Co-patron whose relics were brought here in 1047; principal venerated patroness.
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Saint Mary Magdalen Saint
Dedicated Maes Chapel (1672-1675).
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Our Lady of Deliverance Saint
Marian devotion with its own chapel (1649-1655).
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Saint Joseph Saint
Honoured with a chapel/altar in the cathedral.
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Saint Peter Saint
Apostle depicted among the monumental stone apostle statues on the nave columns.
Care & donations
Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels / Cathedral chapter
Treasury admission and donations support the cathedral
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