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Church of Our Lady of Victories at the Sablon 🇧🇪

Attraction · Belgium

CountryBelgium Best timeDaytime TypeAttraction
© Voyager747 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Located in Brussels' Sablon district along Rue de la Régence, the Church of Our Lady of Victories at the Sablon is a magnificent Catholic landmark that offers you a captivating journey through Belgian architecture and heritage. Built primarily in the 15th century using Gobertange stone, this historic monument blends late Brabantine Gothic design with 19th-century neo-Gothic elements and rich interior decor. Your visit reveals a story born from the 14th-century Crossbowmen's Guild, whose famous legend of Beatrijs Soetkens and a stolen miraculous statue sparked Brussels’ celebrated annual Ommegang event.

Inside, you will see a striking nave where capital-less pillars create an airy vertical feel, anchored by twelve 17th-century apostle sculptures and an intricate 1697 Baroque pulpit resting on the Four Evangelists. Explore the choir to admire restored 15th-century polychrome murals, stained glass windows, and fine artwork including Michiel Coxie’s Resurrection of Christ triptych. You should not miss the church’s crowning jewels: two lavish High Baroque chapels commissioned by the prominent Thurn und Taxis family, dedicated to Saint Ursula and Saint Marculf.

Located between Place Royale and the Palace of Justice, this historic sanctuary delivers an authentic, art-filled experience in central Brussels.

What to see at Church of Our Lady of Victories at the Sablon

  • Late Brabantine Gothic exterior made from Gobertange stone, adorned with 19th-century neo-Gothic details and 57 statues.
  • Two 17th-century High Baroque chapels built by the noble Thurn und Taxis family.
  • Remarkable nave featuring capital-less pillars, 12 apostle statues, and a 1697 Baroque pulpit supported by the Four Evangelists.
  • Choir showcasing 15th-century polychrome murals and a triptych painted by Michiel Coxie.
  • Historical origins tied to the Crossbowmen's Guild, Beatrijs Soetkens' miraculous story, and Brussels' annual Ommegang.

Visiting tips

Cross the street after your visit to see the memorial plaque marking the site where the Thurn und Taxis family once resided and founded the first international postal service in 1516.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Church of Our Lady of Victories at the Sablon is easy to reach on Brussels’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula and Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Brussels travel guide.

Plan your trip

See the full Brussels travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.