Church of St. Catherine |
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is the work of the outstanding architect Joseph Poelaert, the creator of the monumental Palace of Justice project. The temple was built in place of the old church, built in the 15th century. The work went on at a dizzying pace. Construction began in 1854 and after twenty years, in 1874, the church was consecrated.
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Inside the temple, you can admire the 15th-century statue of the Black Madonna with the Child (it stands on the altar, behind the glass). During the riots, in 1744, Protestants threw the statue into the Senne River. It was fished out and has been held in a special cult ever since. Among the interior fittings, it is worth paying attention to the historic pulpit and confessional made of wood.
The church also houses the tomb of French priest Antoine Arnauld (1612-1694), who spent the last 15 years of his life in exile in Brussels. He was a supporter of Bishop Ypres Cornelius Jansenius, founder of Jansenism, a theological and spiritual movement in the Catholic Church, banned by Pope Innocent X and then by Clement XI.
The church also houses the tomb of French priest Antoine Arnauld (1612-1694), who spent the last 15 years of his life in exile in Brussels. He was a supporter of Bishop Ypres Cornelius Jansenius, founder of Jansenism, a theological and spiritual movement in the Catholic Church, banned by Pope Innocent X and then by Clement XI.
The church stands on the site of the former river port. From the 16th century, Brussels was connected to the sea by a channel that transported the products of craft guilds to the then markets of the whole world. In 1870, the river road was filled up, the port was moved northwest of the center, and the current church square was erected in place of the salt and grain quay. The tradition of this place, despite the already filled harbor basins, remains alive. This is where the largest restaurant area is located. Mussels, seafood and fish are served here. The square closes with a twenty-meter fountain-monument, created by the sculptor G. de Vreese. The Anspach Fountain commemorates the Grand Mayor of Brussels, Jules Victor Anspach (1829-1879), who initiated the thorough modernization of the capital's infrastructure carried out in the 80 of the 20th century.
Church of Sts. Catherine photo. http://eglisesaintecatherine.be/photos/
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CHURCH OF ST. Catherine photo. http://eglisesaintecatherine.be/photos/
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Several dozen meters behind the church of St. Catherine is home to Tour Noire. The Black Tower is a fragment of one of the first city walls, built in the 12th century. It is integrated into the surrounding modern hotel. This combination is an excellent example of the fact that in Belgium, and in particular in Brussels, the authorities' disrespectful attitude towards the historical and architectural heritage.
Also the church of St. Catherine's is an example of such an approach. In 2012 the temple was closed, and the authorities immediately decided to desacrate it. There are plans to create a market within the walls of the church! Ultimately, thanks to the actions of outraged citizens of the city, priests and local entrepreneurs, this decision was withdrawn and the church is still an active temple. Unfortunately, out of the 110 churches in Brussels, around 40 will have such a sad end. The ignorance of the city authorities has already reached such an extent that they allow for the creation of toilets next to the outer walls of churches. It is also sad that fewer and fewer Belgians see it as inappropriate.
Also the church of St. Catherine's is an example of such an approach. In 2012 the temple was closed, and the authorities immediately decided to desacrate it. There are plans to create a market within the walls of the church! Ultimately, thanks to the actions of outraged citizens of the city, priests and local entrepreneurs, this decision was withdrawn and the church is still an active temple. Unfortunately, out of the 110 churches in Brussels, around 40 will have such a sad end. The ignorance of the city authorities has already reached such an extent that they allow for the creation of toilets next to the outer walls of churches. It is also sad that fewer and fewer Belgians see it as inappropriate.
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Address:
Place Sainte Catherine 50
1000 Brussels |
Opening hours:
monday-friday: 9.00-20.00
saturday, sunday: 9.00-19.00 |
Ticket price:
Free entrance
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