Owing to the ransackings by Protestant iconoclasts in 1579 and thefts by  French Revolutionists in 1793, the interior of the cathedral is far less rich than it was in medieval times. It nonetheless contains some fine stained glass, such as the Last Judgement Window, dating from 1528, on the west front of the cathedral, facing the altar.*

Also of particular interest is the beautiful and original Grenzing organ.*

The flamboyantly carved Baroque Pulpit in the central aisle depicts Adam and Eve’s expulsion from Paradise. This pulpit, by the Antwerp-born sculptor Hendrik Verbruggen, was built in  1699, although it was not installed till 1776.*

*From The Belgium & Luxembourg Eyewitness Travel Guide.

Although it is the national church of Belgium. Cathedrale Sts-Michel-et-Gudule was granted cathedral status only in 1962. It was built with a sandy limestone brought from the local quarries and is one of the finest surviving examples of Brabant Gothic Gothic architecture

There has been a church on the site of the cathedral since at least the 11th century. Work began on the Gothic cathedral in 1226 under Henry I, Duke of Brabant, and was finally completed 300 years later at the begining of the 16th century, under the reign of Charles V. It was dedicated to the city’s patron saints, archangel Michael and a local 8th-century pious woman, St Gudule.*

The pillars of the nave are decorated with statues of the 12 apostles.

Click on photo for a short video.

*From Belgium and Luxembourg Eyewitness guide.