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This has to be the highlight of Brussels, a stunning setting for some real architectural gems. I read that it was described by the Archduchess Isabella, daughter of Filip II of Spain as long ago as 1599 as follows:
"Never have I seen something so beautiful and exquisite as the town square of the city where the town hall rises up into the sky. The decoration of the houses is most remarkable."
This could so easily have been written today, though the buildings we see now were rebuilt by the guilds between 1695 and 1700 following their destruction in a battle with the French.
Nowadays the square is the focus for tourist activity in the city, and rightly so. Here you can see the most beautiful guild-houses, enjoy a beer (at probably inflated prices) at one of the cafes, or as we did catch a sight of a bride en route to the Town Hall for her wedding. In the summer concerts are organized all through the year on the square while the annual Ommegang, an historical procession, takes place at the beginning of July and the famous flower carpet, when the square is spread with begonias, happens every other year – something I would really love to return to Brussels to see.
Staying in a hotel right on the square meant we were able to soak up its atmosphere as we came and went from our room, a real bonus when we had so little time in the city. We were also able to enjoy our breakfast in the café below the hotel (L’Estaminet du Kelderkes) with a window table and a great view over the square – in warmer weather the hotel offers breakfast on the terrace outside.
Make sure when you visit to look up at the details on the buildings. I particularly liked the Maison du Cynge, not far from our hotel (see my 3rd photo). There’s also a good, though busy, tourist information centre here (on the south side in the Town Hall complex).
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The Grand Place is the main tourist attraction of Brussels.
It is a large medieval market square, surrounded by grand buildings, bars and restaurants.
The Grand Place is home to a weekly bird market and an annual Flower Carpet - when the square is covered in a floral display Leave a Comment Directions: Transport: Metro Bourse, De Brouckere or Gare Centrale.Website: www.rondement.be
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The Hotel de Ville or Stadhuis was for me the most impressive of building I saw in Brussels. Descriibed as one of the finest Gothic buildings in Europe. Construction began in the 15 century, the massive central tower which is not quite in the middle of the building was designed by master builder Jacob van Thiemen. I spent quite some time just marvelling at this giant beauty with its 297 statues I didn't even notice I had also captured a pigeon. It is no wonder that the Grote Markt with its special architecture was added to UNESCO's list of world heritage sites in 1998.
Opening times for guided tours in English April - September Tuesday & Wednesday 3.15 Sunday 10.45 & 12.15 October - March Tuesday & Wednesday 3.15pm. Tours for groups minimum 12 people 1.98 euro per person Individuals 2.48 euros per person. Other timings are available from the tourist office which is located in the right wing of the building Leave a Comment Address: Grand Place - Grote MarktPhone: 02 279 43 65Directions: The spire dominates the central area = cant be missedWebsite: http://www.ilotsacre.be
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 House of the Dukes of Brabant by filipdebont
This impressive front house (1698) with a beautifully sculptured fronton, was designed by the Italian architect Palladio.
It looks as it is one big house, but in fact it houses six different Guild Houses.
The pilasters are decorated with busts of the Dukes of Brabant. Leave a Comment
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 House of the King by filipdebont
It is built in the 19th century, the design dates from the 16th century. It was the bread house and later on the house of the Duke. So there never lived a King in this building.
Nowadays it is used as Museum of Brussels.
Here you can learn more on the history of the city and the industrial art.
On the second floor you can see the costumes of Manneken Pis. Leave a Comment
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The Maison du Roi or King's House was in the late 12th. century a wooden building called the Broodhuis it was from here the bakers sold their bread. The 15th. century saw a new building emerge this time called 't Hertogenhuis - the Duke's House although no Dukes ever lived here. This house was demolished when the clay foundations collapsed. On the occassion of the 3rd. re build it was re - christened The King's House by order of Philip ll King of Spain. Again demolished then rebuilt between 1873 - 1896 this time built much more lavishly with Belgian lime stone and blue stone it kept its Royal name - a fitting title for such a majestic building. The first time we saw the King's house was late afternoon with failing light - we just had to return to see it in sunshine.
Opening times Tuesday - Friday 10.00 - 17.00 Weekends & Holidays 10.00 - 13.00 admission price 2.48 euro adult 1.98 euro group minimum 12 guided tours only. Leave a Comment
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When I was there in December the Brussels Town Hall was illuminated with constantly changing lights of different colors.
Second photo: Town Hall from a distance. Leave a Comment
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Nowadays, the Grand-Place is the main tourist attraction of the City of Brussels. You can hear from visitors very often, " It's the best single place to get a feeling of Old Europe," but the tourists are not alone in their admiration:
Archduchess Isabella, daughter of Filip of Spain wrote about the square during her visit to Brussels: " Never have I seen something so beautiful and exquisite as the town square ....."
The most "striking" building with innumerable sculptures like the prophets is the richly decorated, seven storey high gothic Town Hall.
The neo gothic house of bakers guild being created from bluish granite with the bust of Roman emperor Charles II on the facade faces exactly and is a reconstruction of the Gothic building of predecessors.
At the southeast side falls the view of the front of the Maison of The Dukes of Brabant arranged uniformly by flat wall columns. This building of splendour reminding of an Italian Palazzo is actually a group of 7 houses, each with a different name.
The houses on the northeast side are beautiful examples of the Flemish architecture of 17th Century.
In the Middle Ages the houses have not got numbers, but names which are often indicated by a little statue or some part of the decoration. For example the house of bakers guild is named the King of Spain because of the bust of emperor Charles on the facade.
The millers had The Windmill, where the writer of the "Hunchback of Notre-Dame“ and of "Les miserable", Victor Hugo lived in emigration, now the house is home to the Old Brussels Lace Shop.
The Swan - This is where German philosopher Marx spent much of his time in exile. Today gourmets can be spoiled in the restaurant, over whose entrance the stone swan spreads proudly its wings.
The guildhalls now mostly house restaurants, cafés, hotels, and shops. Worth noting are the famous chocolatier: exquisite Godiva at Grand Place 22. and the traditional Belgian restaurant liked very much by both tourists and locals, 't Kelderke, in the cellar at Grand Place 15. Address: Brussels Grand PlaceDirections: From Zaventem International Airport : E40 Brussels/Liège and direction city centre. Follow the direction 'Grand Place'. Metro station Bourse.Website: http://www.visitbelgium.com/bxlhighlights.htm
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 Close-up of statues
ornating the City Hall by melissa_bel,
1 more photos
The original Grand'Place has been destroyed by the army of king of France Louis the XIVth during his war against the Spaniards but the people of Brussels were quick to re-build in a mix of Flemish Renaissance and gothic style. The most distinguishable building is the City Hall. It is the crown jewel of the square. If you look at it, you'll see it is not symmetric. The legend says that when the building was finished, the architect came to see it. He felt so humiliated he climbed on top of the spire and jumped. The building is full of statues: gargoyles, soldiers, ladies, monks... and on top, thrones St-Michael, patron of the city as he gets ready to smithe the Dragon with his sword.
Note : You can visit the City Hall.
The other remarkable building is the Maison du Roi (or King's house), on the other side of the Grand'Place where in fact the king has nothing to do with it. It takes its name from the chimney sculpted figures of Charles V, King of Spain who was the ruler of the Low Lands and an important historical figure. The building host the museum of the City of Brussels and that's where Manneken Pis has his wardrobe. It is not the original building. Most of it has been rebuilt in the 19th century. Leave a Comment
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