| Grand' Place & guild houses tips and photos posted by real travelers and Brussels locals. • 582 Photos
• 430 Reviews
See all Brussels Things To Do |
 | Brussels Grand' Place & guild houses Reviews | 1 - 10 of 430 |  |
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).
|
 | |  |
Visiting Brussels?
Read reviews about Brussels Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
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
|
Oh, what a great piece of fine architecture. This House of the Dukes of Brabant, located on the Grote Markt.
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
|
Opposite the beautiful City Hall, there is another remarkable building: the House of the King.
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
|
Everybody visits the 'grote markt' in Brussels.
What I am going to tell you isn't known by
lots of people. You can see everybody doing
it but what is the meaning of it?
By 'doing it' I mean rubbing the commemorative
plaque on the corner of the 'Karel Buls straat'
or the 'Rue Charles Buls'.
The large bronze plaque is the work of
'julien Dillens' -(1849-1904).
It was inaugurated on 20 july 1902 and it shows
3 important episodes in Brussels history.
The one you can see in the picture is
''t Serclaes'.
He was murdered in 1388 after he recaptured
Brussels.
One of the plaques shows the popular fury
after his dead. People besieged the
'castle of Gaasbeek'. The castle was
completely destroyed after a month.
Anyway people rub 'Everhard 't Serclaes'
arm , dog...
People are convinced it brings good luck.
You can often see people close their eyes
and make a wish.
If you are a young unmarried girl and not a lesbian
you might just even get more lucky..
'T Servaes' will find you a -good- husband
within the month. So keep your eyes wide
open when prince charming walkes along. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Visiting Brussels?
Read reviews about Brussels Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
This is our City Hall. Beautiful isn't it? For me, the spire looks like a fragile lace in concrete... on which perches the Archangel Michael, patron saint of the city.
Most of time, in Belgium, city halls are located on the very Grote markt or Grand-Place according to the language of the area you are visiting.
Construction of this Brussels gothic building is reported to begin in 1402. Also, it seems that it was the only building to survive the 1695 bombing during the French occupation of Brussels.
I had a chance once to attend the wedding ceremony of a friend. Inside was not that impressive but it's not that common one gets married there. Wedding ceremonies are usually held in Maisons communales (municipality halls). In the case of my friend, I don't really know why they have chosen the City hall.
Yet, at the end of the ceremony, we went outside and yes, that was beautiful. Many people around. When I could move back and watch the picture sessions from afar, the majesty of the building added to the ambience were impressive. Elegant!
The mass in a neighbouring church was heavenly. Was it Saint-Nicolas? Leave a Comment Directions: Grand-Place. Metro M station: Debrouckère, Gare centrale (Central station)Website: http://www.ilotsacre.be
|
| | |
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
|
| | |
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
|
| | |
Grand'Place (Grote Markt in Flemish): "The most beautiful theatre in the world" said French cinematographer Jean Cocteau. And it's difficult not to agree. You're walking in the narrow streets surrouding the Grand' Place and then, bang, comes this wide open spaces framed with gorgeous, gilded buildings.
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
|
| | |
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
|
|
- Le Meridien Hotel Brussels
Carrefour de l'Europe 3, Brussels - Hotel Madou
Rue du Congrès 42, Brussels - VENDOME
Boulevard Adolphe Max 98, Brussels - President Wtc
Blvd du Roi Albert II, 44, Brussels - Golden Tulip Residence Florence
Rue De Florence 1-11 (formerly Golden Tulip Residence Florence), Brussels - Apart'hotel Citadines Bruxelles Sainte Catherine
51 quai au Bois a Bruler, Brussels - Cascade Hotel
128 Rue Berckmans Berckmansstraat 128, Brussels - Manos Premier Hotel Brussels
Chaussée de Charleroi, 100-106, Brussels - Holiday Inn Garden Court Brussels-expo
Avenue Imperatrice Charlotte 6 Parc des Expositions, Brussels - Floris Grand Place
6 - 8, Rue des Harengs, Brussels - Queen Anne
Blvd Emile Jacqmain 110, Brussels - HOTEL MANOS STEPHANIE
28 Chaussee de Charleroi, Brussels - Aris Centre
78 - 80 Rue Marche aux Herbes Grasmarkt, Brussels - Nh Brussels Airport
De Kleetlaan14, Brussels - Novotel Wavre Bruxelles Est
Rue de La Wastinne 45 (formerly Novotel Wavre Bruxelles Est), Brussels
|
on March 4, 2007
on April 19, 2004
on March 8, 2004
on April 8, 2004
on November 20, 2004
on June 11, 2007
on March 18, 2006
on January 21, 2008
