Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Brussels

The National Basilica of the Sacred Heart (also: National Basilica of the Sacred Heart, French Basilique Nationale du Sacré- Cœur, Dutch National Basiliek van het Heilig Hart ) is a basilica in the Art Deco style, which was built between the years 1905 and 1970. It is located on the territory of the Brussels commune Koekelberg and is therefore also referred to Kuckelberg Basilica ( Basilique de Koekelberg French or Dutch Basiliek van Koekelberg ).

History

The basilica was placed under King Leopold II for the 75th anniversary of the independence of Belgium commissioned and designed by the architect Pierre Lange rock than neo-gothic cathedral in the first version. After the construction work had quietly situated at the time of the First World War, in 1920, the Flemish architect Albert Van Huffel was entrusted with new designs, which should, inter alia reducing costs. The church was founded on January 28, 1952 by Pope Pius XII. for minor basilica raised.

The Basilica has a length of 141 m ( nave ) and a width of 107 m ( cross- ship), so it is one of the largest churches in the world in its present form. It is also the world's largest building in the Art Deco style and can accommodate around 2,000 people. The dome has a diameter of 33 m and is the Basilica a height of 93 m. At 53 m there is an observation deck that offers a glimpse of the center of Brussels.

On the morning of July 21, the Belgian National Day, a thanksgiving service with Te Deum celebrated in the basilica in the presence of the royal family, the annual state ceremony initiates as the celebration of the National Day.

In the basilica, among others, a museum of religious art.

Equipment

The Basilica organ was built in 1958 by the organ builder Loncke family and supplemented several times since then. The instrument has 51 registers on three manuals and pedal. The tracker action is electro-pneumatic.

• Pairing: Pairing normal, super and Suboktavkoppeln