Église Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg (Church of St. Jacob on the Coudenberg)
This is one of the greatest examples of 18th century neoclassical architecture in Belgium. The cornerstone for the construction of this impressive building was laid in the year 1776 by Karol Lorraine, the general governor of the Austrian Netherlands during the reign of Empress Maria Teresa. The construction was entrusted to a pair of architects Guimard and Montoyer. 29 October October 1787, after 11 years of construction, the church was consecrated. Today, it serves as a royal cathedral, and is also the main temple of the Military Ordinariate in Belgium.
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 the Law. During this period, the low relief on the pediment was replaced by the eye of reason , and the statues were named after pagan deities. The church returned to Catholic control in 1802 a year. In the year 1849 Flemish architect Franciszek Tieleman Suys he designed an octagonal wooden belfry, with 4 bells. In 1852 year, decorative frescoes were made in the pediment.
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 the Law. During this period, the low relief on the pediment was replaced by the eye of reason , and the statues were named after pagan deities. The church returned to Catholic control in 1802 a year. In the year 1849 Flemish architect Franciszek Tieleman Suys he designed an octagonal wooden belfry, with 4 bells. In 1852 year, decorative frescoes were made in the pediment.
The external facade is characterized by a triangular pediment and six Corinthian columns, reminiscent of Greek-Roman temples. Two large statues that flank the porch, depict King David and Moses. Three statues on the pediment are, Saint. Jakub (inside), Saint. Andrzej (on the right), and Saint. Jan (on the left). They were made by sculptor Egide Melot. The presbytery has benches for the royal family, and a special passage allows direct access to the gardens of the royal palace. The monument in the middle of Place Royal depicts Godfrid de Bouillon riding a horse during his first crusade.
21 July 1831 a year, on the stairs leading to the church porch, Leopold I swore an oath of loyalty to the constitution. Also here was the funeral of King Albert I's parents (1905 and 1912) and the funerals of King Leopold III and Prince Charles in 1983.
21 July 1831 a year, on the stairs leading to the church porch, Leopold I swore an oath of loyalty to the constitution. Also here was the funeral of King Albert I's parents (1905 and 1912) and the funerals of King Leopold III and Prince Charles in 1983.
The temple also had baptisms of children from the royal family who were baptized as:
Leopold II in 1835 year
Albert I in 1875 a year
Leopold III in 1901 a year
Charles in 1903 a year
Marie-Jose in 1906 a year
Josephine-Charlotte in 1927 a year
Baudouin in 1930 a year
Philippe in 1960 a year
Astrid in 1962 a year
Leopold II in 1835 year
Albert I in 1875 a year
Leopold III in 1901 a year
Charles in 1903 a year
Marie-Jose in 1906 a year
Josephine-Charlotte in 1927 a year
Baudouin in 1930 a year
Philippe in 1960 a year
Astrid in 1962 a year
Address:
Place Royale
1000 Brussels |
Opening hours:
tuesday-saturday: 13.00-17.45
sunday: 8.30-17.45 |
Ticket price:
Free entrance
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