St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral

Constructed over a period of three centuries, starting in the early 13th century, the St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral features architectural styles from Romanesque and Gothic to Renaissance. Stop at the cathedral on a small-group walking tour or all-day tour that covers highlights of both Brussels and Antwerp. While some tours simply drive past the church, its interiors are worth exploring. Noteworthy features include stained-glass windows, a baroque pulpit, a 16th-century marble-and-alabaster altarpiece, and a number of 17th-century statues (created to replace those destroyed by iconoclasts in the 16th century).

• The St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral is a must-visit for architecture and history fans.

• Guided tours in French and Dutch are available with advance notice.

• Concerts are held here regularly, and music is sometimes played on the cathedral’s 49-bell carillon.

The St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral is located in the heart of Brussels, about an 8-minute walk from the Grand Place. The nearest metro stations are Parc and Gare Centrale, each a 2- to 3-minute walk from the cathedral; both are served by lines 1 and 5 of the Brussels Metro.

Cathedral visiting hours are weekdays from 7am to 6pm, Saturdays from 3:30pm to 6pm, and Sundays from 2pm to 6pm. The archaeological site is open daily from 8am until 6pm, while the Treasury is open weekdays from 10am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 5pm, Saturdays from 10am to 3pm, and Sundays from 2pm to 5pm, except during liturgical services.

A family of peregrine falcons lives in the northern tower of the cathedral, making it a popular spot for local and visiting ornithology enthusiasts. Local bird experts are often on hand to answer any questions at the observation post, located in front of the cathedral on Rue du Bois Sauvage.