Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula
Walking through the streets of Brussels, guided by a strong curiosity
and excitement to find out as much information as possible about the city's most emblematic places of worship, I arrived at the Cathedral
of Saints Michael and Gudula. Another Gothic architectural masterpiece that impressed me during my travels through Europe. Being passionate about this style, I wanted to document the exterior of the cathedral
and the wonderful sculptures inside the sacral building.
The artwork that captured my attention and stirred many emotions
in my soul was the wooden carving of the pulpit carved in 1699 by Hendrik Frans Verbruggen called “Adam and Eve expelled from Eden”. This artwork (among many others) gave me the incredible opportunity
to study new forms and compositions through photography.
My intention is to show the viewer the expressiveness of the characters, the atmosphere within their story, their beauty, and the craftsmanship with which the sculptures themselves were made. At the same time,
it is an opportunity for the viewer to enter the fascinating and instructive world of scripture.
As for the history of the cathedral, it is believed that a chapel dedicated to St Michael was built in the 9th century. In the 11 th century it was replaced by a Romanesque church which became a “collegiale church”
in 1047. The relics of St Gudula were transferred there. From then onwards, it became known as “the collegiale church of St Michael and
St Gudula”. In February 1962, it was given cathedral status, and since then it has been the seat of the Archbishop of Malines-Brussels, together with St Rombouts cathedral in Malines.
The building of the present church in Gothic “Brabançon” style began with the choir in 1226. Works of art: stained-glass window (16th century), confessionals (16th century), pulpit (17th century), carillon (1975).
A thorough restoration of the cathedral was carried out between 1983 and November 1999. Remains of a Romanesque church were discovered, as weIl as a Romanesque crypt under the choir. The source of the last paragraph is www.cathedralisbruxellensis.be.
