Brussels, Basilica of Koekelberg

Brussels, Basilica of Koekelberg, originally uploaded by e³°°°.

The basilica of the Sacred Heart (or basilica of Koekelberg), one of the biggest churches in the world (view taken on the Nieuwstraat / Rogierplein).
It was built to remember the 75th anniversary of the Belgian independence. In 1905 king Leopold II laid the first stone. The initial plans of architect Langerock to built a gigantic neo-gothic church were stopped at the beginning of World War I. In 1919 the construction continues but with another architect (Van Huffel) and modern plans. The church was finished in the late 1960's.
The interior decoration is in 1930's art deco style. Since 1997 visitors can climb into the dome from where you have a beautiful panorama over Brussels and the surrounding area.