Koekelberg Basilica, also known as the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart, is perched atop the Koekelberg Hill between the municipalities of Koekelberg and Ganshoren in the Brussels-Capital Region. It is the 5th largest church in the world, located in Belgium.
It is a blend of brick and reinforced concrete, masterfully crafted in the Art Deco style. It features two thinner towers and a green copper dome that rises 89 meters (292 feet) above ground, making it a prominent landmark on the Brussels skyline.
The Basilica offers a lot more, so make sure to step inside and explore the captivating museums, exhibitions and the array of sculptures that adorn its interiors.
According to Wikipedia, the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a parish church and minor Basilica of the Roman Catholic religion located in Brussels, Belgium. The Basilique du Sacré-Coeur in Paris served as inspiration for its Sacred Heart dedication.
King Leopold II ceremonially laid the first stone in 1905, marking the 75th anniversary of Belgian Independence. The two World Wars interrupted the building, which wasn’t completed until 1970. It is one of the largest churches in the world by area and is a part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels.
The church is commonly referred to as the Koekelberg Basilica (French: Basilique de Koekelberg; Dutch: Basiliek van Koekelberg) and is situated at the top of the Koekelberg hill, between the towns of Koekelberg and Ganshoren.
The enormous brick and reinforced concrete building, which dominates Brussels’ northwest skyline, is built in the Art Deco style with neo-Byzantine influences. It has two thinner towers and a nearly as-tall green copper dome. The Basilica may be seen with the naked eye from miles away outside of Brussels on a clear day.
