17th Aug 2024: The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels, Belgium
The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, rising in the heart of Brussels, is a masterpiece of Brabantine Gothic architecture from the Burgundian era. Its most striking feature is the twin-towered façade, measuring 110 meters in length and soaring 64 meters high. The cathedral’s origins date back to the 9th century; it was first built as a Romanesque church in the 11th century. In 1226, Duke Henry II of Brabant initiated its transformation into the Gothic style, and the structure was completed around 1519. The interior is adorned with magnificent stained-glass windows, among which the “Last Judgment” on the west façade and the windows in the transept depicting Emperor Charles V and three scenes from the legend of the Miracle of the Blessed Sacrament are particularly renowned. Musically, the cathedral is equally impressive, housing a monumental organ crafted by Gerhard Grenzing with over 4,300 pipes, as well as a carillon of 49 bells that fills the air with concerts every Sunday...