Basilique de Koekelberg, Brussels

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Somehow churches always interest me and being the 5th largest in the World and having such importance, it was a definite must see in Brussels.

It is not very far from the centre and it was part of our tour. the architecture was massive, incredible but at the moment undergoing extensive refurbishment so for the time being, one can only admire the architecture as from the inside it is presently bare, just scaffolding.

This is known as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart also known as Koekelberg Basilica. It is 89 meters high and 167 meters long and it was built for the 75th anniversary of Belgian Independence. It is reletavely new, first stone was laid by King Leopold II in 1905 and completed by the end of 1971.

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Somehow the Koekelberg has attracting powers, because at all my Brussels visits I pass this location, that is a real landmark just being elevated over its surroundings.

The Koekelberg Basilica, official name Basiliek van het Heilig-Hart van Brussel is the best known church building of Brussels.

You can enjoy a panoramic view onto Brussels from the tower; visiting hours:
Summer 9AM - 5.15PM
Winter: 9AM -4.15PM

Satellite picture

One of the strangest churches i have ever seen is Basilique. It has been created in order to satisfy all the religious nessecities of its inhabitants. Strangelly, it has been transformed to a place where exhibitions take place and some years ago even animals entered the church for a recreational theme.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Brussels is visible from the center of Brussels. I’d seen it many times to the west down Leopold II Tunnel at the north end of the main shopping street (Nieuwstraat) as I continued on my way to Gare du Noord. I decided to take a closer look one day, but it certainly took longer than I expected to get there. It’s a straight walk, but the 100 year old church is the fifth largest in the world which is why it’s visible from so far away. There aren’t any building to obstruct the view either as the church looks out over the grassy Parc Elisabeth (Elizabeth Park). Worth the trip, but it’s probably smarter to take a tram or bus to get there.

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Brussels City Hall is situated on "la grand place" and is an exeptional building b'cause it wasn't build right.
The architect didn't place the tower in the middle like he intended.
When construction was finished he killed himself, he jumped of the tower.

Basiliek van het Heilig Hart or Basiliek van Koekelberg) is the fifth largest church. Built in art deco style, its located on the territory of the Koekelberg Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium. It was built to remember the 75th anniversary of the Belgian independence.
King Leopold II of the Belgians (Louis Philippe Marie Victor) laid the first stone in 1905 and the edifice was completed in 1971, in 89m high and 167m long.

In 1997 the dome of the Koekelberg Basilica was opened for visitors. A elevator and many stairs leads you to the top from where one has one of the best views over Brussel that are available. The centre with the graceful cityhall tower, as well as the Automium, are all in your view.

When the Basilica of Koekelberg was built, Art Deco became quite popular around the world. Initially the church should have been constructed in Late Gothic styles, but in the 1930-ies one decided to go for the Art Deco architecture that one can see now. Inside a lot of marble is used, as well as colourful glass in lead windows. Besides that also the fine organs and transcept within the church are worth your attention.