What is the Grand Place in Brussels famous for, where is it located and how to get there. The Town Hall, the Royal House and other famous houses on the Grand Place.
The Grand Place, located in the center, deserves the title of the most beautiful and elegant square in Europe. This is true not only because the entire column is entirely devoted to its attractions, but Napoleon also spoke when he first found himself in the center of the Grand Place.
Even today, travelers who have seen a lot agree that the buildings surrounding the square on all sides in an even square look as if they were carved from stone by the most skilled craftsmen. UNESCO, in turn, included the Grand Place ensemble and openwork facades in the list of world cultural heritage.
Sightseeing tours of Brussels
No sightseeing tour of Brussels is complete without visiting the central square, Grand Place. If you order one of them, we recommend that you hint to the guide that you would not mind seeing the collection of Manneken Pis costumes, which is located in the City Museum.
More democratic group excursions - as an option - do not imply personal preferences, but they still give a general idea of the Grand Place and its attractions.
Famous houses and landmarks
The legend telling about the emergence of the Grand Place is as follows: “One day, King Louis XIV, tired of stories about the beauty and splendor of Brussels, decided to personally visit this city. Imagine his surprise when he discovered that Brussels is indeed much more beautiful than itself! In a fit of anger, the king ordered the destruction of the city, throwing burning land mines at it. But the Belgians are a stubborn people: rich merchants and artisans spared no expense and built a new, even more beautiful central square.”
Thus, the Grand Place is the only medieval square in Europe whose architectural design was carefully thought out.
The two elements that form the Brussels Grand Place are the Gothic town hall and the Royal House, rebuilt between 1873 and 1896. Without exception, all the houses that belonged to various guilds appeared after 1695. No matter how narrow they were, their architect did not abandon the lush Baroque decor. On the eastern side of the Grand Place is the so-called House of the Dukes of Brabant. Behind its façade are six guild houses. On the left is the same Royal House, built in the spirit of historicism and designed in the style of purely French late Gothic.
Now let's look at each of the attractions of Brussels, located within the perimeter of the Grand Place, or the “Grand Market”, as it is also called.
1. Guild houses on the Grand Place
The houses in which artisans and merchants who belonged to various professional guilds worked still stand here in an exact row: the Painter's House, the Tailor's House, the Butcher's House and the Boatman's House. The guides recommend paying attention to them first (it is advisable to be able to distinguish one from the other), even before you are dazzled by the King’s House (aka “Royal House”) and the City Hall.
2. Town Hall on the Grand Place
The residents of Bruges were the first to build a large town hall in Flanders. The building in the style of French cathedral Gothic expectedly aroused the envy of Brussels, which was on an economic boom. Thus, in 1402, “competitive” construction began on the Grand Place, which, according to the architects’ plans, was supposed to surpass its Bruges counterpart in size and splendor. Initially, the same “crazy” project was brought to life as in Bruges, but on a higher floor. However, in 1426, when the government consisting of aristocrats was expelled from Brussels, it was decided to complete the construction of both the tower and the right wing of the town hall.
Thus symbolically, the townspeople demonstrated that from now on they “take into their hands” both power and the fate of their hometown. Only three decades later, the magnificent city hall on the future Grand Place was ready.
It is believed that from the building that today bears the name Hotel de Ville, further development of the area began. The structure is a cathedral with a spire going somewhere into the sky: its total height is 96 meters. The spire is topped with a five-meter copper weather vane depicting the Archangel Michael. The facade was decorated relatively recently - in the last century - in the Baroque style, which was then at the peak of popularity, and with an abundance of statues on the facade.
As intended, the town hall in the capital of Belgium surpassed a similar building in Bruges in all respects: it is richer decorated and noticeably taller.
3. Royal House on Grand Place
The Royal House is a huge palace that houses The Brussels City Museum. There is an exhibition telling about the history of Brussels, starting from the first days of its foundation. You may be interested in the collection of works of medieval artisans, historical documents and archaeological exhibits.
A building with intricate architecture, as if woven from stone like lace, arose on the Grand Place on the site of the “Bread House” located here, in which bread was baked and sold. At the end of the 17th - beginning of the 18th centuries. The royal house was completely reconstructed. By the way, contrary to the name, none of the kings ever lived there.
Working hours The Brussels City Museum: daily from 10-00 to 17-00, except Mondays and holidays. Admission is paid and includes a single ticket to visit three exhibitions at once - the historical and archaeological exhibition, the Lace Museum and the Manneken Pis Wardrobe. Ticket prices: for adults - €8, for students and pensioners - €6, children under 18 years old - free.
Flower festival at the Grand Place
Grand Place in a blooming “carpet” of begonias
Once every two years, a fragrant carpet of colorful begonias blooms on the Grand Place. This is a global festival, everyone prepares for it in advance. Tourists book hotels for mid-August (dates fluctuate from year to year, but you can focus on the 15th) in order to “stake out” a room at an adequate price, and the Belgians near Ghent carefully grow “flower material” that will fill the entire central square, leaving not too spacious pedestrian paths around the perimeter.
The width of the flower carpet on the Grand Place reaches 75-80 m in length and 25 in width. This floral splendor lasts for 3 days. And in order to take the most beautiful photographs, you need to go up to the observation deck of the town hall.
Where to Stay in the Grand Place
Grand Place is the most desirable place in Brussels to live and explore interesting places. Don't be afraid that there are only expensive five-star hotels in the area. Hotels at affordable prices - of course, by European standards - are also available:
1.
Address: Grand Place 15, Brussels, Belgium
The address of the mini-hotel speaks for itself: Grand Place 15. On the dates of the flower festival, rooms are sold out a year and a half in advance. The rest of the time, it’s quite possible to book a place if you dream of staying in the “thick of things” and in a historical building. Tip: to get that same view of the Grand Place, you need to book a room on the side of the square, since the rooms also face the “back side”.
2. Warwick Brussels - Grand Place
Address: Rue Duquesnoy 5, Brussels, Belgium
Five-star hotel in a historic building with classic-style rooms. Guests note the convenient location (3 minutes from the Grand Place and other attractions, as well as the train station), professionalism of the staff and delicious varied breakfasts. The cost is even cheaper than Résidence Le Quinze Grand Place Brussels overlooking the square.
3. B&B Vaudeville
Address: Galerie de la Reine 15, Brussels, Belgium
Hotels in the Grand Place: B&B Vaudeville
Bed/breakfast hotel at Galerie de la Reine 15 (it's a 5-minute walk to the Grand Place, closer to the sculpture). Stylish modern hotel, where each room is individually designed. The rooms are spacious, with huge beds (they obviously didn’t skimp on mattresses and linens) and baths.
Where to eat on Grand Place - cafes and restaurants
The most convenient way to admire the architectural ensemble of the square is from a cafe nearby. The prices there are not cheap, but acceptable for a one-time promotion. To be more precise - pan-European. But what’s more important is the view from the window that opens from every restaurant. I know three cafes where you can drink coffee and have a snack:
- La Chaloupe d'Or- a good restaurant at Grand Place 24-25. A mix of Belgian, French and pan-European cuisine with a beautiful view of the Grand Place. You can have a full lunch (a large selection of first and second courses, appetizers) and drink a glass of wine.
- Beer Tasting Experience- for €16 they give you an express tour of local brewing: they tell you how it wins hearts, how and with what to use it correctly. To avoid getting bored during the process, they serve 5 types of foamy drink - from classics to the most original flavors (all included in the price). Located on the first floor of the town hall.
- El Greco- It’s difficult for fans of healthy eating and Mediterranean cuisine in Belgium, where there are fried potatoes, steaks and liters of beer all around. At Grand Place 36 you will find a pleasant restaurant serving Greek cuisine.
Everard ‘t Serclaes - a place where wishes come true
There is another iconic place on the square that is easy to miss if you don’t know about its existence. This is a sculpture of the brave knight Everard ‘t Serclaes, who liberated Brussels from the invaders. The bronze monument, resting in one of the arched walls of the Grand Place, at the crossroads of the square and the Rue Charles Bulle, on the road to Mannequin Piece, today fulfills wishes.
Whether the knight likes it or not, tourists flock to him to properly rub their hands and chest and someday return to the capital of Belgium.
A plus was the Everard ‘t Serclaes body parts polished to a golden shine.
How to get to Grand Place
Not far from the Grand Place there is the metro station Central Station / Brouckère: 1-5. If you are going to go by bus, then you need number 48 or 95. By train you can get directly to Central Station - the railway station is 10 minutes away.
Prices and description
- addresses, programs, dates
- how to get there
Brussels has plenty of attractions to keep you and your family busy during your holiday in this beautiful city. These attractions are best visited during the day, while in the evening you can enjoy exotic and trendy restaurants and bars. You can also use the “Hop on Hop off” excursion buses, which will conveniently deliver you to your destination and allow you to enjoy the sights of the city at any time within 24 hours from the moment of first use.
Grand Place
Grand Place - the central square of Brussels and the first thing tourists usually visit in the city. Its name is in French Grand place and in Dutch Grote markt. The small but graceful 15th-century town square has passed through the centuries to become a modern embodiment of Brussels' history, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All the buildings on the square have historical value, and the town hall of the Hotel de Ville is still open today! The square is located in the heart of Brussels, close to Brussels Centrale train station.
Metro: Bourse/Beurs, Gare Centrale/Cenraal
Pissing boy
Just a few short and narrow streets from the Grand Place is the famous Mannekin Pis statue, as the locals call this work of art. The Manneken Pis not only attracts thousands of curious tourists to Brussels every year: the Brussels residents themselves hold many celebrations at this bronze fountain. At last count, this little boy has already acquired more than 700 costumes from many countries around the world for all the events held throughout the year.
Address: Intersection of Rue de l"Etuve/Stoofstraat and Rue du Chene/Eikstraat
Metro: Bourse/Beurs, Gare Centrale/Cenraal, Anneessens
Palace of Justice
Palace of Justice- a majestic building towering over the entire city, from the windows of which a stunning view of evening Brussels opens. The building still serves its main functions and serves as the seat of the Belgian High Court. The palace is crowned with a majestic gilded dome, and its facade overlooking the square is decorated with numerous columns.
Address: Poelaertplein 1
Metro: Louise/Louiza
Atomium
Mini Europe
Mini Europe is a theme park, where you can admire small copies of the most famous monuments, landmarks and landscapes of Europe. The Mini-Europe park is located in Brupark at the foot of the Atomium. Families with children can look forward to an unforgettable day at this beautiful and educational park. The miniatures presented here are 25 times smaller than the originals. Among the most famous exhibits, it is worth highlighting the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Mount Vesuvius and, of course, the Grand Place!
Address: Bruparck
Metro: Heysel/Heizel
Website: http://www.minieurope.eu
European quarter
The European Union has firmly established itself in Brussels. Constant EU activity in the city has caused the growth European quarter in the eastern part of the city, located between the Arts-Loi, Trone, Maalbeek and Schuman metro stations. In this rectangle, street after street there are houses made of glass and concrete, in which various structures of the European Union and other international organizations work, including the headquarters of NATO. Many countries have also opened their embassies here, taking advantage of the proximity of EU institutions.
Metro: Arts-Loi/Kunst-wet, Trone/Troon, Maalbeek, Schuman
Place Grand Sablon
This wonderful architectural ensemble consists of buildings from the 16th to 19th centuries. Today on Grand Sablon square There are mainly high-end antique shops, restaurants and chocolate shops. At Grand Sablon you can have a pleasant dinner or just take a walk surrounded by the indescribable atmosphere of antiquity. Every weekend, the square is enlivened by an antique market with its red and green awnings, attracting crowds of curious onlookers.
Address: Place du Grand Sablon
Metro: Louise/Louiza, Porte de Namur/Naamseport
Fiftieth Anniversary Park
Parc du Cinquantenaire or Jubelpark- not just a park, but a real national landmark. Translated, the name of the park means “fiftieth anniversary park.” The park was created under Leopold II in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of Belgian independence.
The fiftieth anniversary park is symbolically shaped like a pentagon, like the inner and outer ring of the city. The park is located just outside the inner ring, near the European Quarter. In the southeastern part of the park, behind the fountain marking the entrance to the park, there is a huge arch.
The two wings of the arch are the location of three museums. In the left wing there is the Autoworld car museum, demonstrating the evolution of the car from its very invention to the present day. The right wing houses the art and military museums. Visitors can climb for free to the top of the arch, which offers good views of Brussels and the European Quarter.
The park hosts many different events: concerts, parties, festivals, aperitifs, film screenings. This is even the starting line for the Brussels Marathon.
You can get to Centenary Park from the Merode metro station, or in the opposite direction of the park from the Schuman metro station.
Metro: Merode, Schuman
What is the Grand Place in Brussels famous for, where is it located and how to get there. The Town Hall, the Royal House and other famous houses on the Grand Place.
The Grand Place, located in the center, deserves the title of the most beautiful and elegant square in Europe. This is true not only because the entire column is entirely devoted to its attractions, but Napoleon also spoke when he first found himself in the center of the Grand Place.
Even today, travelers who have seen a lot agree that the buildings surrounding the square on all sides in an even square look as if they were carved from stone by the most skilled craftsmen. UNESCO, in turn, included the Grand Place ensemble and openwork facades in the list of world cultural heritage.
Sightseeing tours of Brussels
No sightseeing tour of Brussels is complete without visiting the central square, Grand Place. If you order one of them, we recommend that you hint to the guide that you would not mind seeing the collection of Manneken Pis costumes, which is located in the City Museum.
More democratic group excursions - as an option - do not imply personal preferences, but they still give a general idea of the Grand Place and its attractions.
Famous houses and landmarks
The legend telling about the emergence of the Grand Place is as follows: “One day, King Louis XIV, tired of stories about the beauty and splendor of Brussels, decided to personally visit this city. Imagine his surprise when he discovered that Brussels is indeed much more beautiful than itself! In a fit of anger, the king ordered the destruction of the city, throwing burning land mines at it. But the Belgians are a stubborn people: rich merchants and artisans spared no expense and built a new, even more beautiful central square.”
Thus, the Grand Place is the only medieval square in Europe whose architectural design was carefully thought out.
The two elements that form the Brussels Grand Place are the Gothic town hall and the Royal House, rebuilt between 1873 and 1896. Without exception, all the houses that belonged to various guilds appeared after 1695. No matter how narrow they were, their architect did not abandon the lush Baroque decor. On the eastern side of the Grand Place is the so-called House of the Dukes of Brabant. Behind its façade are six guild houses. On the left is the same Royal House, built in the spirit of historicism and designed in the style of purely French late Gothic.
Now let's look at each of the attractions of Brussels, located within the perimeter of the Grand Place, or the “Grand Market”, as it is also called.
1. Guild houses on the Grand Place
The houses in which artisans and merchants who belonged to various professional guilds worked still stand here in an exact row: the Painter's House, the Tailor's House, the Butcher's House and the Boatman's House. The guides recommend paying attention to them first (it is advisable to be able to distinguish one from the other), even before you are dazzled by the King’s House (aka “Royal House”) and the City Hall.
2. Town Hall on the Grand Place
The residents of Bruges were the first to build a large town hall in Flanders. The building in the style of French cathedral Gothic expectedly aroused the envy of Brussels, which was on an economic boom. Thus, in 1402, “competitive” construction began on the Grand Place, which, according to the architects’ plans, was supposed to surpass its Bruges counterpart in size and splendor. Initially, the same “crazy” project was brought to life as in Bruges, but on a higher floor. However, in 1426, when the government consisting of aristocrats was expelled from Brussels, it was decided to complete the construction of both the tower and the right wing of the town hall.
Thus symbolically, the townspeople demonstrated that from now on they “take into their hands” both power and the fate of their hometown. Only three decades later, the magnificent city hall on the future Grand Place was ready.
It is believed that from the building that today bears the name Hotel de Ville, further development of the area began. The structure is a cathedral with a spire going somewhere into the sky: its total height is 96 meters. The spire is topped with a five-meter copper weather vane depicting the Archangel Michael. The facade was decorated relatively recently - in the last century - in the Baroque style, which was then at the peak of popularity, and with an abundance of statues on the facade.
As intended, the town hall in the capital of Belgium surpassed a similar building in Bruges in all respects: it is richer decorated and noticeably taller.
3. Royal House on Grand Place
The Royal House is a huge palace that houses The Brussels City Museum. There is an exhibition telling about the history of Brussels, starting from the first days of its foundation. You may be interested in the collection of works of medieval artisans, historical documents and archaeological exhibits.
A building with intricate architecture, as if woven from stone like lace, arose on the Grand Place on the site of the “Bread House” located here, in which bread was baked and sold. At the end of the 17th - beginning of the 18th centuries. The royal house was completely reconstructed. By the way, contrary to the name, none of the kings ever lived there.
Working hours The Brussels City Museum: daily from 10-00 to 17-00, except Mondays and holidays. Admission is paid and includes a single ticket to visit three exhibitions at once - the historical and archaeological exhibition, the Lace Museum and the Manneken Pis Wardrobe. Ticket prices: for adults - €8, for students and pensioners - €6, children under 18 years old - free.
Flower festival at the Grand Place
Grand Place in a blooming “carpet” of begonias
Once every two years, a fragrant carpet of colorful begonias blooms on the Grand Place. This is a global festival, everyone prepares for it in advance. Tourists book hotels for mid-August (dates fluctuate from year to year, but you can focus on the 15th) in order to “stake out” a room at an adequate price, and the Belgians near Ghent carefully grow “flower material” that will fill the entire central square, leaving not too spacious pedestrian paths around the perimeter.
The width of the flower carpet on the Grand Place reaches 75-80 m in length and 25 in width. This floral splendor lasts for 3 days. And in order to take the most beautiful photographs, you need to go up to the observation deck of the town hall.
Where to Stay in the Grand Place
Grand Place is the most desirable place in Brussels to live and explore interesting places. Don't be afraid that there are only expensive five-star hotels in the area. Hotels at affordable prices - of course, by European standards - are also available:
1.
Address: Grand Place 15, Brussels, Belgium
The address of the mini-hotel speaks for itself: Grand Place 15. On the dates of the flower festival, rooms are sold out a year and a half in advance. The rest of the time, it’s quite possible to book a place if you dream of staying in the “thick of things” and in a historical building. Tip: to get that same view of the Grand Place, you need to book a room on the side of the square, since the rooms also face the “back side”.
2. Warwick Brussels - Grand Place
Address: Rue Duquesnoy 5, Brussels, Belgium
Five-star hotel in a historic building with classic-style rooms. Guests note the convenient location (3 minutes from the Grand Place and other attractions, as well as the train station), professionalism of the staff and delicious varied breakfasts. The cost is even cheaper than Résidence Le Quinze Grand Place Brussels overlooking the square.
3. B&B Vaudeville
Address: Galerie de la Reine 15, Brussels, Belgium
Hotels in the Grand Place: B&B Vaudeville
Bed/breakfast hotel at Galerie de la Reine 15 (it's a 5-minute walk to the Grand Place, closer to the sculpture). Stylish modern hotel, where each room is individually designed. The rooms are spacious, with huge beds (they obviously didn’t skimp on mattresses and linens) and baths.
Where to eat on Grand Place - cafes and restaurants
The most convenient way to admire the architectural ensemble of the square is from a cafe nearby. The prices there are not cheap, but acceptable for a one-time promotion. To be more precise - pan-European. But what’s more important is the view from the window that opens from every restaurant. I know three cafes where you can drink coffee and have a snack:
- La Chaloupe d'Or- a good restaurant at Grand Place 24-25. A mix of Belgian, French and pan-European cuisine with a beautiful view of the Grand Place. You can have a full lunch (a large selection of first and second courses, appetizers) and drink a glass of wine.
- Beer Tasting Experience- for €16 they give you an express tour of local brewing: they tell you how it wins hearts, how and with what to use it correctly. To avoid getting bored during the process, they serve 5 types of foamy drink - from classics to the most original flavors (all included in the price). Located on the first floor of the town hall.
- El Greco- It’s difficult for fans of healthy eating and Mediterranean cuisine in Belgium, where there are fried potatoes, steaks and liters of beer all around. At Grand Place 36 you will find a pleasant restaurant serving Greek cuisine.
Everard ‘t Serclaes - a place where wishes come true
There is another iconic place on the square that is easy to miss if you don’t know about its existence. This is a sculpture of the brave knight Everard ‘t Serclaes, who liberated Brussels from the invaders. The bronze monument, resting in one of the arched walls of the Grand Place, at the crossroads of the square and the Rue Charles Bulle, on the road to Mannequin Piece, today fulfills wishes.
Whether the knight likes it or not, tourists flock to him to properly rub their hands and chest and someday return to the capital of Belgium.
A plus was the Everard ‘t Serclaes body parts polished to a golden shine.
How to get to Grand Place
Not far from the Grand Place there is the metro station Central Station / Brouckère: 1-5. If you are going to go by bus, then you need number 48 or 95. By train you can get directly to Central Station - the railway station is 10 minutes away.
Prices and description
- addresses, programs, dates
- how to get there
The Grand Place, which is also sometimes rightly called the Market Square, the Grote Markt, is the central and most important square of Brussels. In addition, it is the main and most visited tourist attraction in the Belgian capital.
If a tourist takes a sightseeing tour of Brussels, he will definitely end up at the Grand Place. The fact is that here are two of the most important attractions of the city - the city hall and the Bread House (also known as the House of the King). And the general ensemble of the square is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Grand Place is also famous for its tradition of decorating the square with an incredible carpet of flowers every two years. The first such event was held in 1971 and since then has constantly attracted tourists from various countries. From August 15, over the course of several days, a huge carpet of millions of colorful begonias is created on the square.
The size of the flower carpet is impressive - 24 by 77 meters. It covers an area of 1800 square meters.
In addition, the Christmas market, which is traditionally held in winter, is of the greatest interest to travelers and residents of Brussels itself. At this time of year, the square is decorated, a Christmas tree is put up, and various stalls with souvenirs and food appear.
Not far from the square there is a huge number of hotels (both very expensive and luxurious, and quite budget ones, by Brussels standards) and guest houses, and apartments are also available for rent. This is the most popular part of the city among tourists, so there is plenty to offer. You should book rooms in advance, as during the high season everything here is usually fully booked.
You can have a snack on the square at one of the popular restaurants or cafes located in historical buildings.
The large market itself on the square is open from 09:00 to 20:00.
History of the Grand Place
The appearance of the Grand Place began to take shape in the 12th century. Before this, the current area contained a vast swampy area that had to be drained. Already in the 13th century, the Bread House was built, the building of which now houses a museum, which you should definitely visit if you find yourself in Brussels. As for the Brussels City Hall in the Gothic style with a tower 91 meters high, it was built over 50 years, from 1402 to 1455.
Fortunately, during the attack of the French army on Brussels in August 1695, the town hall was practically not damaged. Its patio with two fountains also remained untouched. But the Bread House was partially destroyed by explosions. However, it took only 4 years to completely restore the central square. This was largely due to the rich merchants who lived in Brussels. It was then that Guild houses in the Baroque and Louis XIV style appeared here. From the 18th century to the present day, the area has not undergone any changes.
How to get there
Usually tourists come to the square for the first time as part of a group excursion. A visit to the square is included in any of the sightseeing tours of the capital of Brussels (there are a lot of offers). If you are vacationing here for several days or a week, you will probably visit the square more than once, as it is the center of the cultural and tourist life of the city.
You can get here on your own either on foot if you live in the historical center, or by public transport if you live in another area of Brussels. So, if you arrived in Brussels by train, then from the Central Station to the Grand Place is only about 400 meters.
As for the metro, the nearest station is De Brouckere (lines 1 and 5 of the Brussels metro) is just 500 meters from the square. This is about 15 minutes at a leisurely pace. The distance is the same from the Gare Centrale metro station (the same metro lines 1 and 5).
The closest bus stops to the square are Parlement Bruxellois, Beurs, Grand-Place. Buses No. 33, 48, 95 stop here. You can also get off at the Arenberg stop (buses No. 29, 66, 71), which is located in the north of Grand Place. You can also take the tram to the Beurs stop. The routes you need are No. 3, 4, 32.
In addition, you can use taxi services. The Uber app is very popular in Brussels. It is fashionable to order a car using a special application on your smartphone. You can also call a taxi from the local Brussels official service. True, the cost of a taxi in the capital of Belgium is quite high. Check it in advance, before the trip, so that you are not surprised by the final amount later.
Panorama of Grand Place on Google Maps:
Video "Light show at Grand Place, Brussels"
Grand Place is one of the main avenues of the Belgian capital, located in the heart of the metropolis and proud of its unique attractions. It is worth starting excursions around the city from this famous place, since according to legend, it was this site that marked the beginning of the emergence and development. In addition, it is not only the active, but also the historical center of the capital.
Grand Place in Brussels: history of creation
The history of the famous ancient square began in the 12th century, when numerous swamps were dried up on its future territory. Over the next few centuries, the infrastructure of the structure was built:
— In the 13th century the famous Bread House appeared, or, as it is also called “The King’s House”
— In the 15th century, the left side of the Town Hall was built.
The end of the 17th century was disastrous for the Grand Place, since during the French attack the well-groomed modern site was left in complete ruins; only the Town Hall managed to survive in almost its original form, which lost only the sculptures on the facade and the monument to St. Michael at the top of the tower.
After the end of hostilities, the square was quickly reconstructed thanks to the participation of wealthy guilds. Most of the buildings were reminiscent of the style of Louis XIV, and were also carried out in the Baroque architectural style. The appearance of the square from those times has largely been preserved to this day.
In 1998, the architectural ensemble of the central square was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Modern Grand Place in Brussels is a unique architectural monument that is very popular among tourists and residents of the capital. It amazes with its unusual architecture, as well as the historical buildings located on its expanses, erected during the Middle Ages:
1) Brussels Town Hall is a beautiful metropolitan building, built in the 15th century and intended for the work of the city administration. Over time, the administration of the capital was moved to another building, but the mayor of the metropolis continues to work in the historical building. Despite the fact that the mayor of the city continues to sit in the town hall, you can appreciate the luxury of its interiors during group excursions, which are held for just a few hours, two days a week.
The interior decoration of the building is reminiscent of royal chambers, since expensive materials, gilded decorative elements, and luxurious tapestries were used in its modeling. No less surprising is the façade of the building, which has an asymmetrical shape and is decorated with numerous statues of rulers and sculptures of saints.
2) The Bread House (or the King’s House) is an ancient building, which, despite its second name, was not used for the work of monarchs for a single day. It is often called a record holder among buildings that have repeatedly changed their appearance and purpose. So, in the history of the building the following functions are known:
- in the 13th century the building was used as a warehouse for bakery products
- a few years later it was converted into a place for holding criminals
- then it was bought by the Duke of Brabant and played the role of his personal tax office, and then became the family estate of the ruler.
- after the conquest of Brussels by the French, the Duke's House began to be called the House of the People, which, due to the vesting of foreign governors with royal privileges, was renamed the House of the King.
Nowadays, the historical building houses the city museum, the exhibition of which consists of works by Belgian craftsmen who worked in various historical eras. Among the exhibits of the cultural institution you can find stunning tapestries, interesting paintings, and even modern reconstructions of the historical city center.
In addition, on the Grand Place for about 30 years in a row, starting from August 15, for several days you can watch a parade of flowers that cover the avenue like a fluffy multi-colored carpet.
Grand Place: how to get there?
The Grand Place is located in the very center of the Belgian capital, so you can get to it by several means of transport:
— by trams
The main avenue of the city is reached by routes No. 3, 4, 31, 32, which stop at the Bourse stop.
- by buses going to the Parlement Bruxellois stop (No. 48 and 95)
Also not far from the Great Square is the De Brouckere metro station.
