Eglise Notre-Dame-de-la-Chapelle (Chapel Church), Brussels
Standing at the northern end of the Marolles district, with its distinctive black roof easily visible from various parts of the city, the Chapel Church showcases a harmonious fusion of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Believed to have originated in the 12th century as a Benedictine abbey, it became a central feature of medieval Brussels as the surrounding neighborhood thrived. Following a devastating partial fire in the 15th century, it was reconstructed in the Gothic style, now featuring a Baroque bell tower dating from the 18th century.
Notably, the church is renowned for being the final resting place of Francois Anneessens, a historic figure from Brussels who paid the ultimate price for advocating civil rights. Additionally, there is a small memorial near the confessional dedicated to Pieter Bruegel the Elder's memory. Often referred to as the "Peasant Bruegel", he was a Flemish painter and printmaker celebrated for his captivating landscape and scenes of peasant life. Interestingly, he earned the nickname "Peasant Bruegel" because he would disguise himself as a peasant to gain access to lower-class weddings and festivities, drawing inspiration for his future artworks.
Today, the Chapel Church serves as a Polish Catholic parish, welcoming both local worshipers and visitors year-round.
Notably, the church is renowned for being the final resting place of Francois Anneessens, a historic figure from Brussels who paid the ultimate price for advocating civil rights. Additionally, there is a small memorial near the confessional dedicated to Pieter Bruegel the Elder's memory. Often referred to as the "Peasant Bruegel", he was a Flemish painter and printmaker celebrated for his captivating landscape and scenes of peasant life. Interestingly, he earned the nickname "Peasant Bruegel" because he would disguise himself as a peasant to gain access to lower-class weddings and festivities, drawing inspiration for his future artworks.
Today, the Chapel Church serves as a Polish Catholic parish, welcoming both local worshipers and visitors year-round.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Brussels. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Eglise Notre-Dame-de-la-Chapelle (Chapel Church) on Map
Sight Name: Eglise Notre-Dame-de-la-Chapelle (Chapel Church)
Sight Location: Brussels, Belgium (See walking tours in Brussels)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Brussels, Belgium (See walking tours in Brussels)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Brussels, Belgium
Create Your Own Walk in Brussels
Creating your own self-guided walk in Brussels is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
The European Quarter Walking Tour
Along with Luxembourg and Strasbourg, Brussels is one of the European Union’s de facto capitals. The office blocks of the European Quarter are mainly concentrated along and between two wide boulevards – rue de la Loi and rue Belliard – which Léopold II built to connect his Parc du Cinquantenaire with the city center.
Begin your exploration with the EU’s most symbolic construction, the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Begin your exploration with the EU’s most symbolic construction, the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Chocolate Tour in Brussels
Belgium is considered one of, if not the, best producer of chocolate in the world. The country's capital, Brussels abounds in opportunities to taste more than 2,000 different varieties of this delectable treat. There is a plethora of chocolate shops in the city which offer chocolates of all imaginable shapes, sizes and colors.
Planète Chocolat’s chocolate-making demonstration make a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Planète Chocolat’s chocolate-making demonstration make a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Brussels Introduction Walking Tour
Nowadays a major center for international politics, the capital of Belgium, Brussels, is often referred to as the "Crossroads of Europe". Indeed, nestled at the heart of the continent, this city has a history closely linked to that of Western Europe. Repeatedly changing hands between various duchies, empires, republics, and kingdoms, it has evolved from a small rural settlement to an... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Grand Place Walking Tour
World-famous for its imposing Baroque-style buildings, such as the Town Hall, the King's House and the House of Dukes, the Grand Place of Brussels a whole is indisputably a masterpiece of human creative genius, with a special quality of homogeneity and coherency.
The buildings around the Grand Place, all different but built within a very short period, admirably illustrate the Baroque... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.3 Km or 0.2 Miles
The buildings around the Grand Place, all different but built within a very short period, admirably illustrate the Baroque... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.3 Km or 0.2 Miles
Brussels Historical Churches Walking Tour
As well as being Belgium’s political and cultural capital, Brussels is the spiritual home of its most significant churches. Historically, the city has been predominantly Roman Catholic, especially since the expulsion of Protestants in the 16th century. The pre-eminent Catholic temple here, located just a couple of minutes from the Grand-Place, is the Brabantine Gothic Cathedral of St. Michael... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Mont Des Arts Cultural Walk
Mont des Arts, meaning "hill of the arts", is one of the most important cultural sites in Brussels. A classic among the city’s vantage points, it offers a fine city garden and restored showcase of architecture, in addition to several great museums.
Start your journey by traveling towards the old part of the city, where you’ll find the BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts, greatly admired... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Start your journey by traveling towards the old part of the city, where you’ll find the BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts, greatly admired... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Belgian Beer Tour of Brussels
Belgium is world-renowned for its beers and Brussels is the best city to sample the huge variety of flavors. We'll show you the best places to buy them and to drink them. We'll even show you a family brewery where the liquid gold is produced right in front of your eyes! This tour is meant...
What to Buy in Brussels: 14 Ideas for Travelers
It's no secret that Brussels is not all about JCVD muscles and EU headquarters. Small country as such, Belgium abounds in signature items, such as beer, chocolates and... the peeing boy. All of these have made prime Belgian souvenirs for years. Now you can explore the Brussels gift scene in...