Standing
halfway up Gallows Hill on the frontier between the
upper (French) and lower (Spanish) sections of the
city, the Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Guilda
watches over Brussels. It first came to prominence
in 1047 when the relics of Saint Guilda were brought
here by Lambert II, the Duke of Brabant. Duke Henri
I of Brabant laid the cornerstone for today's building
in 1226. Though the building you see today is in the
Brabant Gothic style, it was originally Romanesque,
but later converted. In fact, due to the length of
time it took to build the Cathedral it actually incorporates
four architectural styles. Evidence of its past identity
remains in its foundation and crypt. The change in
styles actually served a practical purpose. It allowed
more light to penetrate deeper inside the already
dark recesses of the building. There are a number
of stained-glass windows dedicated to those who have
ruled the area: Maximilian of Austria, Philip the
Beautiful, Charles V and his wife Isabella of Portugal,
Louis II and his wife Mary of Hungary, Philip II of
Spain, Philibert of Savoy, and Margaret of Austria.
Those noblemen who commissioned the windows were honored
by having their portraits displayed inside the cathedral.
On the outside, the most visible elements are the
twin towers. The 227-foot structures are joined by
a gable featuring a niche with Saint Michael killing
a dragon, or devil, depending on your interpretation.
Inside there are 12 Roman columns defining the central
cathedral. They represent, and are decorated with
statues of the 12 apostles.
- ~1000:
Church established.
- 1047:
Relics of Saint Guilda arrive.
- 1226:
Choir constructed.
- ~1450:
Nave and towers built.
- ~1490:
Western facade completed.
- 1669:
Pulpit constructed.
- 1861:
Formal staircase built.
