Brussels
Brussels (French: Bruxelles, Dutch: Brussel, German: Brüssel) is the capital of Belgium. Its name comes from the old Dutch Broekzele, "home in the marsh." Brussels is officially bilingual (Dutch and French), but most residents speak French.
As the headquarters of the European Union and the political seat of NATO, modern Brussels has become the unofficial capital of Europe. This has brought a distinct cosmopolitan air and many shiny new office buildings to the city, but alongside all this modernity are the cobbled streets, splendid cafés, fresh mussels with fries, handmade lace, world-famous chocolate, local beers, and graceful Art Nouveau architecture that have long made Brussels great.
Brussels has a long and eventful history, during which it was ruled by everyone from the Romans to the Spanish to the Germans. In 1830, the Belgian Revolution erupted in Brussels, after which the first King of Belgium ascended the throne. Like many European cities, Brussels suffered significant damage from air strikes during World War II, but many historic structures remain. Follow a link below to learn more about the spiritual heritage of Brussels.
Travel Resources for Brussels
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See our Brussels Map for a closer view. |
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Featured Religious Attractions in Brussels
 This peaceful abbey dates from medieval times but has been used for government offices since the French Revolution. The abbey church has a beautifully simple barrel-vaulted nave.  This was the home of the Beguines, Catholic lay sisters who were mostly widows of Crusaders. They lived in small houses grouped around a pleasant courtyard, two of which are preserved as a museum.  Officially named the Basilique Sacré-Coeur, this huge Art Deco basilica is the fifth-largest church in the world. It was begun in 1905 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Belgian independence.  This elegant Flemish Baroque church originally served as the center for the beguines (lay sisters) who lived in houses clustered around it. Its facade is considered one of the most beautiful in Belgium.  The soaring Gothic Cathédrale Saint-Michel has housed the relics of the local saint Gudula for 1,000 years. The cathedral dates mostly from the 13th century and is the primary Catholic church of Belgium.  The great humanist and reformer Erasmus of Rotterdam only lived here for less than a year, in 1521, but tourists have been visiting his house since the 17th century. It houses a museum and many early editions.  Built in 1878, the Great Synagogue of Brussels is housed in a building often described as "stately Romanesque." The synagogue is active and hosts several Jewish organizations as well.  This museum houses a collection of Jewish religious objects dating from the 16th century, as well as documents, books and art that illustrate traditional Jewish life in Belgium.  Located in a neighborhood in Anderlecht, this moving memorial consists of a platform centering on a menorah made of chains and a wall bearing the names of 23,838 Belgian Jews who were killed in the Holocaust.  Constructed throughout most of the 13th century, this attractive church represents the period of transition between the Romanesque and Gothic styles. It contains the tombs of several Belgium notables.  This lovely Late Gothic church was built in the 15th and 16th centuries. It has a four-fold gallery, bright stained glass windows, and a statue with an interesting history.  The Église Sainte-Marie is a large Byzantine-style Catholic church near the Royal Palace. Now located in a predominantly Muslim neighborhood, it is mainly used for concerts and ecumenical functions.  Houses huddle cozily on the sides of this 11th-century Romanesque church with a 14th-century Gothic facade. A cannonball fired by the French in 1695 is still lodged in one of its pillars. |
