Church of Our Blessed Lady of the Sablon, Gothic church in Sablon, Belgium
The Church of Our Blessed Lady of the Sablon is a Gothic structure in the Sablon neighborhood with a cross-shaped floor plan and pointed arches typical of that style. Inside, tall columns guide the eye upward, and side chapels are arranged throughout to create separate spaces for prayer.
Construction began in the early 15th century when crossbowmen received permission to build a place of worship on their practice grounds. The church later grew over several centuries as wealthy families added new chapels and funded improvements.
The church is dedicated to Mary and its name comes from the sandy hill that once stood in this neighborhood. Visitors can see fine wooden carvings and religious artworks that show how important this place has been to the city's spiritual life.
The church is easy to reach on foot since it sits in the center of the Sablon neighborhood and is accessible from the busy square. Visitors using wheelchairs should be aware that floors are uneven and entry involves steep steps, so checking exact conditions beforehand is wise.
Inside are two Baroque chapels from the 17th century funded by influential European families, creating distinctly different decorated spaces. These chapels show an interesting contrast between the older Gothic structure and the richer Baroque decoration.
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