Trésor de la cathédrale Saints-Michel-et-Gudule

About the museum

The Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudule, in the heart of Brussels, originated in a chapel dedicated to Saint Michael, replaced in the 11th century by a Romanesque church. In 1047, Count Lambert II of Leuven and his wife Oda founded a chapter there and had the relics of Saint Gudule transferred. From 1226 the church was rebuilt in the Brabant Gothic style; the choir dates from 1226 to 1276, the nave and transept from the 14th to the 16th centuries. Chapels were added, including that of the Holy Sacrament of the Miracle (1534-1539).

The building suffered several sackings, notably by the Geuzen (Beggars) in 1579 and by French revolutionaries in the 1790s. It has been a listed monument since 1936 and became a cathedral, together with Mechelen, in 1962 when the Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels was created. A major restoration between 1983 and 1999 was accompanied by excavations that uncovered remains of the Romanesque church and its crypt.

The treasury is displayed in the Gothic chapel of the Holy Sacrament. It contains a collection of reliquaries, including the Dhramal reliquary cross, monstrances, chalices, ciboria and liturgical vestments, as well as paintings, such as the “Legend of Saint Gudule” by Michel Cocxie, and sculptures, notably the “Virgin and Child” by Conrad Meit. The Romanesque remains of the west front and the 11th-century Romanesque crypt can be visited separately.

Highlights

• Reliquaries, including the Dhramal reliquary cross
• Monstrances, chalices, ciboria and liturgical vestments
• “Legend of Saint Gudule” by Michel Cocxie
• “Virgin and Child” by Conrad Meit
• Romanesque remains of the former church
• 11th-century Romanesque crypt (by appointment)

Permanent exhibitions

• Le trésor de la cathédrale – Reliquaries, goldsmiths’ work, liturgical vestments, paintings and sculptures displayed in the Gothic chapel of the Holy Sacrament.
• Vestiges romans et crypte – Remains of the west front of the former Romanesque church and the 11th-century crypt beneath the choir, probably intended to house the relics of Saint Gudule.

Admission & discounts

Entrance to the cathedral is free; only the treasury, the Romanesque remains and the crypt are paid. The treasury is paid for on site, in cash.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The cathedral is accessible to people with reduced mobility: entrance through the shop door on place Sainte-Gudule (on the right when facing the cathedral); simply ring the bell. Animals are refused, except guide dogs accompanying visually impaired people.

Kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

A free activity booklet for children aged 6 to 12, “La lanterne de sainte Gudule”, is available in French, Dutch and English.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Cathedral shop (religious objects, souvenirs, brochures) open daily from 10:00 to 17:30, and on Sundays from 13:00 to 17:30. Food and drink must be consumed outside.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit