Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula

The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula crowns a low hill at the Parvis Sainte-Gudule in the Upper Town of Brussels, Belgium. Built mainly between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries in Brabantine Gothic style, it is the national church of Belgium, where royal weddings, funerals and state ceremonies are held. The twin-towered west facade is flanked by a flight of steps and gives way to a spacious nave lined with statues of the apostles. Inside, visitors see the large Renaissance stained-glass windows in the transept, including the Habsburg-commissioned panels of the sixteenth century, the richly carved baroque pulpit by Hendrik Verbruggen, depicting Adam and Eve driven from paradise, and the late Gothic chapels. Beneath the choir, an archaeological crypt shows the remains of earlier Romanesque church foundations, and a treasury displays liturgical objects. The towers can be visited on certain days for a fee, with views over the Lower Town. Entry to the nave is free, though donations are welcome, and the crypt, towers and treasury charge a small fee. A visit takes 45 to 60 minutes. Late morning gives the best light through the stained glass, while services restrict access at times, so checking the schedule is advisable. The cathedral is usually quiet compared with the Grand Place, with the largest numbers on weekends and during ceremonies. Visitors are expected to dress respectfully and keep voices low. It lies about a seven-minute uphill walk from Brussels Central Station, near the Mont des Arts and the Royal Quarter, and can be combined with a walk to the Sablon.