The soaring 119m (396-ft.) spire of the Church of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk) in Bruges can be seen from miles around.

What to See at the Church of Our Lady

It took two centuries (13th-15th) to build the church. Among the many art treasures of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk is a beautiful Carrara marble Madonna and Child sculpture by Michelangelo.

This statue, made in 1504, was the only one of Michelangelo's works to leave Italy in his lifetime and is today one of the few that can be seen outside Italy. It was bought by a Bruges merchant, Jan van Mouskroen, and donated to the church in 1506.

The church also contains a painting of the Crucifixion of Christ by Anthony van Dyck and a rococo extravaganza of a pulpit, designed by Bruges artist Jan Antoon Garemijn.

Also impressive are the side-by-side bronze tomb sculptures of the Duke of Burgundy, Charles the Bold, who died in 1477, and his daughter, Mary of Burgundy, who died at age 25 after falling from her horse in 1482.

A windowpane under the tombs allows you to view the 13th- and 14th-century graves of priests.

Quick Facts on the Church of Our Lady

Site Information
Names:	Church of Our Lady · Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk
Country:	Belgium
Categories:	churches
Dates:	13th-15th C
Visitor and Contact Information
Coordinates:	51.204638° N, 3.224659° E
Address:	Bruges, Belgium
Lodging:	View hotels near the Church of Our Lady

Note: This information was accurate when first published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours and prices can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

More Information

• Reviews of the Church of Our Lady – TripAdvisor
• Church of Our Lady – IgoUgo member review, November 8, 2003
• Bruges: Our Lady's Church – Trabel.com
• Photos of the Church of Our Lady - here on Sacred Destinations