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This image shows the interior of the St. Nicholas Church in Brussels, This church existed already in the 12th century. The church suffered from fire and war (bombing). An almost completely new church, including a new tower, was built around 1700 and stands until today, except the tower, which collapsed in 1714. The church was restored several times, the first time in 1804 and the last time in 1956. Today it's a small, but lovely church in the city centre of Brussels. Although it's small, it has some important art treasures, including 'The Virgin with the Sleeping Child', attributed to the famous Belgian painter Rubens. Above this painting a cannonball is immured, recalling the bombing of 1695.

The birthday of St. Nicholas is on December 6th. On St. Nicholas eve Dutch and Belgian children get presents like a lot of children elsewhere in the world get presents from Santa Claus on Christmas. The period just before December 6th gives great fun when hordes of children are muttering their prayers (read: 'order list', lol) to the holy Saint, but also, and that's even more fun, are piling up their stuff from the previous year for the altar for their less fortunate peers!

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