Hotel de Ville - Town Hall, Brussels

There are seven ways to enter in the Grand Place. They are all small streets, but they all merge into a big market square. The most significant building in the square is the Town Hall. The architecture of Town Hall is very bizarre as one of its wing is greater then the other one. The construction of Town Hall has started in 1402 and finished in 1455.

When entering the Market Place from one of the seven side-streets, one's eyes are drawn automatically to the gothic tower of the town hall pointing skywards. Up to this day the "Hotel de Ville", or "Stadhuis" is considered to rank among the most beautiful city halls. The first stone was laid in the spring of 1402. The architect is believed to be JACOB VAN THIENEN.
After the destruction of Brussels in August 1695 by the French troops of DE VILLEROY, only the tower and the outside walls of the town hall had been saved. Restoration works started almost immediately after the catastrophe. In the 17th and 18th centuries the original decorative statues withered away or disappeared. By 1840 a complete restoration was necessary. It was then that the entire facade became decorated with a total of 203 little statues representing the Dukes and Duchesses of Brabant who ruled the dukedom between the year 580 and 1564.

Guided tours of the Town Hall are possible on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The 96-metre tower cannot be climbed, but some of the Town Hall's rooms can be visited - such as the 18th century Council Chamber.

The Town Hall (Hotel de Ville in French, Stadhuis in Dutch) on the Grand'Place is without a doubt one of the most striking buildings in Belgium. It was built during 1402-1448. Architect was Jan Van Ruysbroeck - legend has it he threw himself off the tower which, upon completion, seemed to de-center the building.

One of the most famous sights in Brussel is the medieval town hall on the Grote Markt. If I had time I'm sure there's a lot of details to be admired.

I took this picture just a few hours before a big beerfestival would start. That's what those tents belong too. Unfortunately I couldn't attend the festival myself.

This is said to be the most famous building in the Grand Place. The town hall on the 17'th century and and still exist as one of magnificent building with a tower in town.
If you are lucky enough to be in Brussels during christmas time, you can watch the building with it's blinking lights.

Dominating the Grand Place with its gothic tower is the Town Hall.

The first stone was laid in the spring of 1402. This original town hall (which is now the left wing) was completed in 1405, together with a small tower. In 1444, the original building was extended with a smaller right wing, which was ready in 1449. In that same year the tower that still crowns the building today was built.

Finally, in 1455 a guilded statue of St. Michael slaying the devil was put on top.
The original statue remained on the tower until June 1996, when it was replaced with a completely new one.

After the destruction of Brussels in August 1695 by the French troops only the tower and the outside walls of the town hall were standing. Restoration works started almost immediately.
In 1840 a complete restoration was necessary, because the statues were eroded. The entire facade became decorated with a total of 203 little statues representing the Dukes and Duchesses of Brabant who ruled the dukedom between the year 580 and 1564.

The town hall is still the seat of the Mayor of Brussels .

The town hall can be visited only with guided tours in French, Dutch, English, and German.

Walking around amazing central square of Brussels called Grand Place (Grote Markt in Flemish) I surely put attention to the most beautiful building in the city. I just admired impressive Gothic beauty of the Town Hall.

It was built in 15th century with one more wing added in 18th c. It's walls are highly decorative and in contrast to early gothic churches are not asthetic in form. I liked it's architectural details a lot.

The town hall is still the seat of the Mayor of Brussels. It can be visited only with guided tours. The very rich decorated interiors made the Town Hall one of the most beatiful monuments of Belgium.

When entering the Market Place from one of the seven side-streets, one's eyes are drawn automatically to the gothic tower of the town hall pointing skywards. Up to this day the "Hotel de Ville", or "Stadhuis" is considered to rank among the most beautiful city halls in the Low Countries.

The construction of the building represents the growing power of Brussels as the capital of the Dukedom of Brabant. Until the end of the 14th century some small wooden houses and inns used to stand on the site where later the town hall would be build. Because of the growing importance of the city, the administrators decided to buy these old houses one by one, demolish them and build a new town hall that would match the city's need for a large administrative center. The first stone was laid in the spring of 1402. This original town hall (which is now the left wing) was completed in 1405, together with a small tower. The architect is believed to be JACOB VAN THIENEN. However, on March the 3rd 1444, the original building was extended with a smaller right wing, which was ready in 1449. In that same year the architect JAN VAN RUYSBROECK built the tower that still crowns the building today. This extension of the town hall was a result of the rivalry between Brussels and the neighboring city of Leuven. Leuven also aspired to the title of 'capital of the Dukedom of Brabant' and had therefore constructed a massive and extremely prestigious town hall (which still is the most beautiful one in Belgium and worth a trip

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This is the Town Hall (L'Hotel de la Ville), it is a gothic piece of art, built in the 15th century.
After the destruction of Brussels in August 1695 only the tower and the outside walls of the town hall had been saved.
Restoration works started almost immediately after the catastrophe and were completed by 1840.
The town hall is still the seat of the Mayor of Brussels
It can be visited only with guided tours.