Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Located in the outskirts of Brussels, in the neighbourhood of Koekelberg, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Sacré-Coeur Basilica) is an architectural masterpiece from the twentieth century.

The church was established to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Belgian independence. King Leopold II lay down the first stone in 1905, but the temple was completed many years later in 1971 due to construction being stopped during World War I and World War II.

The first thing visitors will spot is its enormous green-coloured dome contrasting with the red coloured terracotta stones of the church. The interior is vast and from inside too, visitors find themselves immediately drawn to its beautiful dome.

The city's most beautiful views

If you are looking for the best views in Brussels, then we recommend walking up to the Basilica’s observation deck. The cathedral's terrace offers 180-degree views and stands 174ft (53 meters) tall.

Climbing to the dome will also give you access to the museum and other inaccessible parts of the Basilica.

Beautiful but outside the centre

Although the Sacre Coeur Basilica is one of the best temples in Brussels, it is a little far from the city centre. If you’re only going to be in Brussels for a few days, you will probably not have time to visit this magnificent church.