Église Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg (Church of St. James on Coudenberg Hill)
It is one of the finest examples of 18th-century neoclassical architecture in Belgium. The foundation stone of this impressive building was laid in 1776This is a variable, click here to edit by Charles of Lorraine, Governor-General of the Austrian Netherlands during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa. The construction was entrusted to a pair of architects, Guimard and Montoyer. 29 October on 1787 the year, after 11 years of construction, the church was consecrated. Nowadays, it serves as a royal cathedral and is also the main temple of the Military Ordinariate in Belgium.
The temple during the French Revolution
During the French Revolution, the monastery and church were closed. The church was transformed into the Temple of Reason and then into the Temple of Law. During this period, the bas-relief on the pediment was replaced by the eye of reason, and the statues were given the names of pagan deities. The church returned to Catholic control in 1802. In the year 1849 the Flemish architect Tieleman Frans Suys designed an octagonal wooden bell tower with 4 bells. In 1852 year, decorative frescoes were made in the pediment.
Place of baptism of children from the royal family
The external façade is characterized by a triangular pediment and six Corinthian columns, reminiscent of Greco-Roman temples. The two large statues that flank the porch represent King David and Moses. The three statuettes on the pediment are: Saint James (center), Saint Andrew (on the right), and Saint John (on the left). They were made by the sculptor Egide Melot. There are benches for the royal family in the presbytery, and a special passage provides direct access to the gardens of the royal palace.
The monument in the middle of Place Royal shows Godfrey de Bouillon, riding on horseback, during his First Crusade.
21 July 1831, on the stairs leading to the church porch, Leopold I took an oath of loyalty to the constitution. The funeral of the parents of King Albert I (1905 and 1912) and the funerals of King Leopold III and Prince Charles in 1983 also took place here.
Baptisms of children from the royal family also took place in the temple, and they were baptized as:
The monument in the middle of Place Royal shows Godfrey de Bouillon, riding on horseback, during his First Crusade.
21 July 1831, on the stairs leading to the church porch, Leopold I took an oath of loyalty to the constitution. The funeral of the parents of King Albert I (1905 and 1912) and the funerals of King Leopold III and Prince Charles in 1983 also took place here.
Baptisms of children from the royal family also took place in the temple, and they were baptized as:
Leopold II in 1835 year
Albert I in 1875 year
Leopold III in 1901 year
Charles in 1903 year
Marie-Jose in 1906 year
Josephine-Charlotte in 1927 year
Baudouin in 1930 year
Philippe in 1960 year
Astrid in 1962 year
Albert I in 1875 year
Leopold III in 1901 year
Charles in 1903 year
Marie-Jose in 1906 year
Josephine-Charlotte in 1927 year
Baudouin in 1930 year
Philippe in 1960 year
Astrid in 1962 year
Address:
Place Royale
1000 Brussels |
Opening hours:
tuesday-saturday: 13.00-17.45
sunday: 8.30-17.45 |
Ticket price:
Free entrance
|