Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula

The church was built in honor of Saint Michael, the patron saint of Brussels. The first church on this site was constructed in the 11th century. Shortly after its consecration, Count Lambert II of Leuven transferred the relics of Saint Gudula of Brussels to this location. According to legend, Gudula was an aristocrat's daughter, very devout, who was harassed by a demon at night that extinguished her candle while she read religious texts.

Nevertheless, she relit it repeatedly, and for such devotion to her faith, she was canonized. In 1047, a chapter was established in the church of Saint Michael in her honor. The church was named "Church of Saints Michael and Gudula", who are also the patron saints of the city.

In 1200, Henry I of Brabant initiated a renewal of the church, and in 1226, Henry II of Brabant decided to change the building style to Gothic. Construction of the choir continued from 1226 to 1276. The facade was nearly completed by 1450, and the interior was finished by 1485.

Between 1983 and 1999, restoration work was carried out in the cathedral. In 1995, it was visited by Pope John Paul II.

In 1999, the cathedral hosted the wedding of the future King Philippe and Mathilde d'Udekem d'Acoz. In 2003, the wedding of Prince Laurent of Belgium and Claire Coombs took place here.

The facade of the Brussels Cathedral includes a central portal with a large arched entrance and a monumental staircase, as well as two towers standing 69 meters tall with flat tops. The towers are adorned with arcades and decorative niches. The central portal is complemented by sculptural buttresses and statues of saints, above which there is a large arched window with stone mullions decorated with floral patterns.

At a height of 64 meters at the base of each side tower, there is a terrace. The side facades of the building feature wide arched windows with sharp peaks and stone triangular lintels with clover-shaped reliefs. The side facades are also characterized by sculptural buttresses with stone spires and decorative niches.

The roof of the central nave is decorated with sculptural spires with stone battlements and crosses or bird sculptures. The side portals are complemented by three wide arched windows and a gallery with a sculptural balustrade.

The main facade of St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral has four entrance gates within three pointed portals, adorned with sculptures of saints and wrought iron metal reliefs. The central window above the entrance contains a large stained glass.

The interior is notable for its stained glass, the oldest of which were created in the 16th century based on designs by Bernard van Orley. Most of the surviving stained glasses were made by Jean-Baptiste Capronnier (1814–1891).

The nave of the cathedral is decorated with columns featuring filigree capitals and statues of saints. The pews are dark brown, contrasting with the light hall.

The main pulpit of the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula is also styled in Baroque. The pulpit is divided into two parts: the lower depicts the scene of Adam and Eve being expelled from Paradise, and the upper part features the Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus spearing a snake.

Among the tombs, the most venerated is the tomb of Count Frederic de Merode, a hero of the Belgian Revolution.

The cathedral frequently hosts organ music concerts.