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 cornerstone for this impressive building was laid in 1776 by Charles of Lorraine, Governor-General of the Austrian Netherlands during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa. The construction was entrusted to the architects Guimard and Montoyer. On October 29, 1787, after 11 years of construction, the church was consecrated. Nowadays it serves function 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 1849, the Flemish architect Tieleman Frans Suys he designed an octagonal wooden bell tower with four bells. In 1852, decorative frescoes were painted in the pediment.
The place where children from the royal family were baptized
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 depict King David and Moses. The three statuettes on the pediment are: St. James (in the middle), St. Andrew (right), and Saint John (left). They were made by the sculptor Egide Melot. The chancel contains pews for the royal family, and a special passage allows direct access to the gardens of the royal palace.
The monument in the middle of the Place Royal depicts Godfrey de Bouillon riding his horse during his First Crusade.
On July 21, 1831, on the steps leading to the church porch, Leopold I took the oath of allegiance to the constitution. The funeral of King Albert I's parents (1905 and 1912) and the funerals of King Leopold III and Prince Charles in 1983 also took place here.
The temple also hosted the baptisms of children from the royal family, who were baptized as:
The monument in the middle of the Place Royal depicts Godfrey de Bouillon riding his horse during his First Crusade.
On July 21, 1831, on the steps leading to the church porch, Leopold I took the oath of allegiance to the constitution. The funeral of King Albert I's parents (1905 and 1912) and the funerals of King Leopold III and Prince Charles in 1983 also took place here.
The temple also hosted the baptisms of children from the royal family, who were baptized as:
Leopold II in 1835
Albert I in 1875
Leopold III in 1901
Charles in 1903
Marie-Jose in 1906
Josephine-Charlotte in 1927
Baudouin in 1930
Philippe in 1960
Astrid in 1962
Albert I in 1875
Leopold III in 1901
Charles in 1903
Marie-Jose in 1906
Josephine-Charlotte in 1927
Baudouin in 1930
Philippe in 1960
Astrid in 1962
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Address:
Place Royale
1000 Brussels |
Opening hours:
Tuesday-Saturday: 13:00-17:45
Sunday: 8:30-17:45 |
Fare: Free admission
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