The National Basilica of the Sacred Heart, popularly known as the Koekelberg Basilica, is a Catholic minor basilica and parish church in Brussels, Belgium. Inspired by the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur in Paris, King Leopold II laid its first stone in 1905 during the 75th anniversary of Belgian independence. Construction, however, was delayed by the two World Wars and financial difficulties, and was only completed in 1970.
Recognized with an award at the 1925 International Exhibition in Paris, the design by architect Albert Van Huffel features two slender towers and a large green copper dome rising 89 meters above ground. The exterior features a combination of reinforced concrete, terracotta layering, Dutch belvédère bricks, and white dimension stone from Burgundy, while the distinctive green roofs and domes are clad in Congolese copper.
Basilique nationale du Sacré-Cœur
The altar, liturgical furniture, and choir cross were created by the sculptor Jacques Dieudonné.
nave
altar by the sculptor Jacques Dieudonné
Basilique nationale du Sacré-Cœur - dome
Basilique nationale du Sacré-Cœur - dome
Basilique nationale du Sacré-Cœur - ceiling
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