Church of Our Lady of Laeken, Gothic Revival church in Laeken, Belgium
The Church of Our Lady of Laeken features three spires, elevated facades, and a grand entrance that demonstrates neo-Gothic architectural principles of the 19th century.
King Leopold I initiated construction in 1854 to honor his late wife Queen Louise-Marie, with multiple architects contributing to the project until its completion in 1909.
The church houses a 13th-century wooden carving known as Sedes Sapientiae, depicting Madonna and Child, which received papal coronation from Pope Pius XI in 1935.
Visitors can access the church and its royal crypt from Tuesday through Saturday between 14:00 and 17:00, except during the month of December.
The royal crypt beneath the church serves as the final resting place for Belgian monarchs, including Leopold I, Albert I, and their family members.
Location: City of Brussels
Inception: 1854
Founders: Leopold I of Belgium
Architects: Joseph Poelaert, Auguste Payen, Antoine Trappeniers, Louis De Curte, Alphonse Groothaert
Architectural style: Gothic Revival
Website: https://notredamedelaeken.be
GPS coordinates: 50.87861,4.35583
Latest update: May 27, 2025 17:31
Brussels combines baroque guild houses, neo-Gothic churches, and modern architecture. The Grand Place forms the historic center with its cobblestone square and gilded facades. The Atomium from 1958 stands in the northern part of the city, displaying the structure of a magnified iron crystal. Saint Michael and Gudula Cathedral preserves Gothic stained glass and wood carvings from the 13th century. The city holds numerous collections of European painting at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts and the Magritte Museum. The Palais de Justice sits on a hill overlooking the city, while the Royal Palace serves as the official residence of the Belgian monarchy. Parks such as Bois de la Cambre and Cinquantenaire Park offer open spaces between city districts. The Belgian Comic Strip Center and the Horta Museum document Belgian contributions to illustration and Art Nouveau design.
Royal Castle of Laeken
908 m
Royal Crypt
75 m
Laeken Churchyard
216 m
Monument to Labor
682 m
Florist Stuyvenberg Gardens
900 m
Annie Cordy Park
91 m
Royal railway station
521 m
Queen Astrid Memorial
305 m
Vierendeel bridge of Laeken
607 m
Former Our Lady of Laeken
147 m
Square Jules De Trooz - Jules De Troozsquare
812 m
21 July Square
244 m
Town hall of Laeken
621 m
Théâtre Royal les Cœurs de Bois
288 m
Justice de Paix de Laeken
752 m
Former Laeken gendarmerie barracks
277 m
Galeries funéraires du cimetière de Laeken
192 m
Logements sociaux du Foyer Laekenois
833 m
Social housing of Le Foyer Laekenois
813 m
Park of the Sint-Annadreef
780 m
Logements sociaux du Foyer Laekenois
848 m
Immeuble Foyer Laekenois
871 m
Logements sociaux du Foyer Laekenois
883 m
Logements sociaux du Foyer Laekenois
934 m
Ciné Rio
408 m
Immeuble Foyer Laekenois
859 m
Logements sociaux du Foyer Laekenois
902 m
Immeuble Foyer Laekenois
909 mReviews
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