See Brussels From The Roof

The National Basilica in Brussels is the fifth-largest church in the world and the largest Art Deco building ever built. One of the landmarks on the Brussels skyline, it is imposing from afar and can be seen for many miles from the western aspect.

However, whilst everybody knows of its existence, it is not always appreciated that since 1997, it has been possible to visit the very top of the Basilica and obtain a view of the City which will leave you speechless. You can take a lift to the roof just under the large green dome and a panoramic view of Brussels will unfold.

The Basilica was built to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Belgian independence. King Leopold II laid the first stone in 1905 intending to make a gigantic neo-Gothic church on the Koekelberg. The plans had to be put on hold in 1914 and by the time construction resumed, a new architect, named Van Nuffel, was asked to construct a modern house of prayer. As a result, the style was changed from neo-Gothic to art deco.

To the people of Brussels and Belgium it seemed that the Basilica would never be finished. Moreover, the construction of the church depended entirely on donations made by worshippers and these donations did not always yield the expected funds. The church was eventually finished in the late 1960's with the construction of the dome and dedicated to the war victories of 1918 and 1944.

Basilica of Koekelberg
Address: 1, parvis de la Basilique, Brussels, Belgium, 1083
Country: Belgium
Tel: +32 (0) 2 425 88 22

Open summer: from 8 am to 7 pm
Open winter : from 8 am to 5 pm
Dome : summertime from 11 am to 3 pm Admission : 2 € (Euro).