 | Brussels Grand' Place & guild houses Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 413 |  |
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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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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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
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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
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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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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
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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
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Sitting in a pavement cafe enjoying the spring sunshine I decided to have a closer look at the many Guildhouses which line the Market Place. The details on most if not all of the buildings are stunning works of art in their own right. The Guiild Houses were built during the times when Brussels economy prospered and wealth was shown through elaborate Guild Houses. At one point in history nearly all was lost to destruction and war. The Guild Houses were re built with even more detail such as you see today all given over to tourism and the restaurant trade. I enjoyed capturing the many lovely details these special buildings provided = a perfect partner to have with a cuppa. Leave a Comment
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Every two years, for 3 days only, in the tropical heat that is the Brussels summer, artists and horticulturalists join forces to create the greatest living carpet in the world!
Designs vary from year to year, and inspiration is drawn from all over - one of my favourites was the persian rug... wow!
The carpet takes up the whole of the central part of the Grand' Place as you can see from the photo. Half a million Begonias smile... this photo was the 2002 carpet... innovation with the 3 dimensional impact and fountains. It was soooo hot that year that 100,000 flowers had to be replaced during the 3 days of the carpet!
Word to the wise: unless you can somehow befriend a generous resident of the Grand' Place, your best bet for an aerial view, with a minimum of queuing is in the Brussels Museum OPPOSITE the Hotel de Ville... pay a couple of euros, avoid the queues, walk peacefully upstairs, get out on the balcony and spend a few minutes being mesmerised! while you're there you'll be able to see the Mannekin Pis's costumes without a problem - everyone else is on the Place looking at the flowers! Leave a Comment Address: All over the Grand' Place!Directions: Every 2 years - even numbers - the August weekend nearest the 15th... in 2004 it will be 12th to 15th. (Will someone please remind me to revisit this page in a couple of years to update the dates?)Website: http://www.ilotsacre.be
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