The Best Churches

Cathédrale des Sts-Michel-et-Gudule (Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula; Brussels): Although more than a little plain to look at, both outside and inside, compared to the generally extravagantly decorated run of Europe's Gothic cathedrals, St-Michel's has much to commend it. A purity of line and lack of superfluous frills makes it seem like the distilled essence of a style that dominated European cityscapes for half a millennia.