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 church today you can admire the 15th-century figurine of the Black Madonna and Child (standing on the altar behind the glass). During the riots , in 1744 year, protestants threw a statue into the Senne River. He was fished out and has since been surrounded by a special cult. Among the interior fittings, it is worth paying attention to the historic pulpit and confessional.
The church also contains the tomb of the 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, creator of Jansenism, a theological and spiritual movement in the Catholic church, banned by Pope Innocent X, and then by Clement XI.
The church also contains the tomb of the 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, creator 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's Tour Noire. The Black Tower is a fragment of one of the city's first defensive walls built in the 12th century. It is integrated into the modern hotel that surrounds it. This combination is an excellent example of the existence in Belgium, and in particular in Brussels, of a disrespectful attitude of the authorities towards historical or architectural achievements.
Also the church of St. Catherine is an example of this approach of the Brussels authorities to the historical heritage. In 2012 the church was closed and the authorities immediately decided to desacralize it. There were plans to create a market within the church walls! Ultimately, thanks to the action of indignant citizens of the city, priests and local entrepreneurs, this decision was withdrawn and the church is still an active temple. Unfortunately, among 110 churches existing in Brussels around 40 such a sad end is awaiting. Ignorance of the city authorities has already gone so far as to allow the creation of toilets at the outer walls of the churches. It is also sad that fewer Belgians see this as something inappropriate.
Also the church of St. Catherine is an example of this approach of the Brussels authorities to the historical heritage. In 2012 the church was closed and the authorities immediately decided to desacralize it. There were plans to create a market within the church walls! Ultimately, thanks to the action of indignant citizens of the city, priests and local entrepreneurs, this decision was withdrawn and the church is still an active temple. Unfortunately, among 110 churches existing in Brussels around 40 such a sad end is awaiting. Ignorance of the city authorities has already gone so far as to allow the creation of toilets at the outer walls of the churches. It is also sad that fewer Belgians see this as something 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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