Mary Magdalene Chapel

Mary Magdalene Chapel (French: Chapelle Sainte-Madeleine, Dutch: Magdalenakapel) is a modest yet remarkably old place of worship tucked into the heart of Brussels, just a short walk from the Grand-Place. At first glance it may look like just another small church on the old town's map, but its story reaches back to the 13th century and connects it to some of the earliest religious foundations in the city.

Where did the chapel come from?

The original building on this site was established by the Saccite monks, who founded a convent here in the 13th century. That early structure did not survive intact: in 1580, during a turbulent period of religious conflict and political upheaval in the Low Countries, it was destroyed. What visitors see today is largely the result of a reconstruction carried out in the 15th century, executed in the late Brabantine Gothic style typical of religious architecture in the region at the time.

What lies beneath the foundations?

One of the most intriguing chapters in the chapel's history comes from archaeological work carried out during a later restoration. Excavations beneath the floor uncovered the remains of much older sub-foundation walls, leading researchers to a striking hypothesis: the current building may stand on the site of an even earlier sanctuary, believed to have been built by the Knights Templar. If that theory holds, it would place a place of worship on this exact spot long before the Gothic rebuilding, making the chapel one of the oldest sacred sites in Brussels.

What does the chapel look like today?

The building's structure reflects several historical layers stacked on top of one another. A distinctive red-brick exterior contrasts with the grey stone of the nave inside, where slender Gothic arches draw the eye upward. In the 15th century the church was expanded with two side aisles; during that period it functioned as part of a religious convent, and its interior held the tombs of prominent local citizens as well as altars endowed by the city's craft guilds — a common practice in medieval towns across Flanders and Brabant.

Among the most recognizable features is a Baroque portal dating from 1637, which stands out stylistically against the Gothic body of the building and reflects the successive phases of alteration the chapel underwent over the centuries. The interior is lit by contemporary stained-glass windows, designed and installed in the 1950s as part of a thorough restoration carried out between 1957 and 1958. That project aimed to bring the building's appearance as close as possible to its original 15th-century form.

Why is it worth a visit?

Mary Magdalene Chapel is one of the oldest surviving churches in Brussels and a compact showcase of how different eras — medieval Gothic, Baroque additions, and 20th-century conservation — can coexist within a single, small-scale building. Its location just steps from the Grand-Place makes it an easy addition to any walk through the historic city center, requiring no detour at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the chapel located? In the very center of Brussels, within easy walking distance of the Grand-Place.

Is it still an active place of worship? The building continues to serve as a place of worship in the city center, though given its small size it functions more as an intimate chapel than a large parish church.

What is the oldest part of the building? The foundations are the oldest element — archaeologists believe they may predate the 15th-century Gothic reconstruction, possibly dating to the era of the Knights Templar.

How long does a visit take? Being a small site, seeing the interior and exterior typically takes only about fifteen to twenty minutes.