The Brigittines chapel

This page has been automatically translated from French into English by a translation software. Automatic translations are not as accurate as translations made by professional human translators. Nevertheless these pages can help you understand information published by the City of Brussels.

   

The chapel was built in 1667 according to plans of the architect Léon Van Heil, for the order of Brigittines which had bought the ground some years previously. The chapel was closed down in 1784 on order of the emperor Joseph II.

The chapel almost became the seat of a pawnshop, before serving in succession as a warehouse for books, as a military pharmacy, as an arsenal and as a house of reception for poor men. Under Napoleon's reign, the City Council wanted to make a school for children of the lower middle class, but the chapel was eventually sold to a private individual who used it as warehouse for wood and barrels of beer.

In 1839, a new owner installed a slaughterhouse and a store of meat there. The first floor was used as butcher's shop. It later became an exhibition hall and a mail sorting office. On Sundays it was used as a room for dancing and conferences.

In 1920 the building was in decay and it was therefor put on sale. 2 years later, the City of Brussels decided to acquire and restore it. The Brigittines chapel was classified for its facade in 1936, before being classified for the whole building in 1953.

In August, 2007, the Italian architect Andrea Bruno made a second chapel, offering the center of Contemporary Art of the City of Brussels all the necessary conveniences to welcome spectators and artists. Besides, 6 artists' workshops, a housing and a garden were built.

Brigittines and the City of Brussels

The association of the Brigittines now develops the artistic ideas for the chapel. Brigittines is a pleasant and friendly meeting place. The chapel is a Contemporary Arts Center for dance, theatre, music, performance and plastic arts.

ON THE AGENDA : Dance. Lamali Lokta