Catch Up...Part II

Eglise de Saint Nicolas. This 1000 year old church is "...surrounded by fine old houses." Not much remains of the original 11th century building as it was heavily damaged by the French bombardment of 1695. In fact, a canon ball fired by the French troops can still be seen in one of the pillars by the side altar dedicated to the Holy Virgin (originally built in 1486). During the religious conflicts between the Catholics and Protestants in 1572, 19 priests were tortured and killed in the Dutch city of Gorinchem (Gorkum). In 1868, the relics of these "Martyrs of Gorkum" were brought to this church for permanent display.

The church of Saint Nicolas is diagonally opposite the Brussels Stock exchange.

The main altar.

To the right of the main altar is this side altar dedicated to Saint Nicolas.

On the left side of the main altar is this altar dedicated to the Holy Virgin. Constructed in 1486. One of the nearby pillars still contains a canon ball fired by the French during the conflict of 1695.

The reliquary for the "Martyrs of Gorkum".

  The church of Notre Dame de la Chapelle. Constructed in 1134 under the orders of Godfrey I of Leuven, this is one of the oldest churches in Brussels. Also damaged by the French bombardment of 1695, this church was restored to its original looks.

A professional photograph of the Notre Dame de la Chapelle church.

The main altar. Unfortunately, light coming in through the stained glass windows prevents seeing their full glory.

Just to the right of the main altar is this niche which was left in its original, unrestored, condition.

One of the side altars dedicated to Saint Boniface.

Many of the churches we have visited here have elegantly carved wooden pulpits. This is one of the finest.