In Brussels it is possible to find some of the most impressive Gothic buildings in all of Europe. The cathedrals of the Belgian capital are usually true treasures of this architectural movement, and today we are going to visit one of its most important churches, the Notre Dame do Sablon.
Europe is known for its ancient and impressive cities, some of it have centuries and centuries of history, so some of its buildings rise on the foundations left by previous constructions.
As an example, we can mention the case of the Notre Dame do Sablon Church. This was built in the late 14th century, and was planned to replace a much smaller chapel, which had been built in the 12th century.
With so many years of history, it is not surprising that Notre Dame do Sablon has gone through some difficulties, some so serious that they put the very existence of the church at risk.
One of the most difficult times was during the Calvinist revolt, when many of the church’s religious works of art and statues were stolen, destroyed, or looted.
Likewise, Notre Dame do Sablon had to survive the French invasion of Belgium, and the fighting of the First and Second World War.
Finally, and after having remained for a long period of time with its doors closed, the church was able to reopen in the middle of the 19th century, and since then it has been one of the most important religious temples in the entire Belgian capital.
If you’re spending a couple of days in Brussels, then feel free to add Notre Dame do Sablon to your must-see list. This is one of the most notorious tourist attractions in the city, and every year it receives thousands of visitors.
One of the peculiarities that make this church so fascinating are its very large stained glass windows, which fill the interior space of the place with light. Likewise, it is easy to notice its resemblance to the Cathedral of Brussels, since the two were made with quite similar styles.
Regarding its internal decoration, Notre Dame do Sablon is quite simple, and it is not as extensively adorned as other similar churches. In part, this is because during the Calvinist era, many of the works on the site disappeared and could never be recovered.
Despite this, this remains one of the most valuable churches for the Catholic community, being even a place of pilgrimage for many believers in the region.
The location of this church is almost as central as that of the Cathedral of San Miguel and Santa Gúdula, so you can get there by tram or bus.
If you wish, you can walk through the historic center of the city, although to save some time, it is more convenient to use the public transport service.
The entrance to the Church of Notre Dame do Sablon is free, you can visit it and stay in it as long as you want, as long as you follow the rules established to preserve the order and structure of this ancient and precious construction.
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