Sainte-Catherine Church

Sainte-Catherine Square sits at the heart of the lively neighbourhood that shares the same name. Here, creativity and culture are under the spotlight. The church you see over there was built on the site of a former dock from Brussels' old port. It was constructed between 1854 and 1874 by Joseph Poelaert, the same architect who did the Palace of Justice. Inspired by the Church of Saint-Eustache in Paris, it features a hybrid architectural style that blends both Gothic and Baroque elements. In the 1950s, it was almost demolished to make way for an open-air car park, but after a long wait, its renovation finally began in 2021! To the right of the church, you can spot the bell tower of the original Gothic Sainte-Catherine Church, built in the 14th century. The Baroque tower, added in 1629, was restored in the early 20th century and is now listed as a historic monument.