Basilica of the Sacred Heart Brussels

Basilica of the Sacred Heart or the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart is inspired by its counterpart in Paris. It is an impressive architectural and cultural landmark located in the Koekelberg district, on the outskirts of Brussels. This basilica is the fifth largest church in the world, measuring 89 meters in height and 167 meters in length. Although the entry to the church is free, you can go up to its observation deck offering some of the best views in Brussels, for a charge.

The first stone of the Basilica were laid on the 75th anniversary of Belgian independence by King Leopold II in 1905. Its width of 167 m makes Brussels’ Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the fifth largest church in the world. An architectural masterpiece of the twentieth century, the church fuses two unlikely styles: neo-Gothic and Art Deco. The construction of the church was done in phases, halted due to the two World Wars and finished in its present form only in 1971.

The first thing that draws attention is the massive green dome contrasted with the red terracotta stones of the church. With one of the most beautiful views of the city, the Cathedral’s observation deck stands 53 m tall. Dominating the Northwestern skyline of Brussels, the platform can be accessed either by stairs or the two elevators commissioned by 2012, in the form of a cage and two fully glazed cabins.