"It is all in the Baroque details" Top 5 Page for this destination Brussels Off The Beaten Path Tip by Norali

Visiting this church is, as I said in previous tip, an unusual stuff to do. It will change you a lot from the gothic style of major churches of the capital. I've never thought of visiting the many churches as activities but well, I admit I like this one. For the overall style, this majesty in the darkness, for the details on its metal door pans, for the lovely confessionals. Here I am, finding confessionals "lovely". Amn't I weird ? or maybe it is due to this poor English of mine. lol Well, they were ornated with nice wood carvings. Mary with Baby Jesus on some (all ?) of them. Not the usual rectangular boxes for the average "sinful people of the world". :-)

I also talked about the arson. It was while visiting it with Irisbe that I was reminded the reason of the blackened rooftop. Dannie reminded me then that the church used to house the "Sans-papiers" end of 90s. "Sans-papiers" are "illegal" immigrants. In 1998, they occupied this place, in a kind of sitting demonstration to have their papers delivered. During their stay in the church, there was a shortcircuit, hence the fire. This is the reason of the arson traces, of probably the missing paintings..etc..

Still when I look at both interior and facade, I couldn't ignore the charming presentation. When Dannie and me arrived there, the guy on the bench was reading, then once in a while looked around, admired the facade. Baroque, baroque... I love it.

And... oh! How could I forget? I loved the checkerboard tiles too.

I can recall this Baudelaire when he found in it la beaut? neigeuse d'une jeune communiante... the snowy beauty of a young girl who takes her first communion. and playing backgammon in the evening there is fun. Noone around to watch the game, very peaceful.