Theatre Royal de la Monnaie, Brussels

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The Théâtre royal de la Monnaie, the national opera house, was constructed in the 1850s on the site of an earlier opera house that was destroyed in 1855 by a fire. It has an important place in Belgian history, as an opera performed here in 1830 provided impetus for the revolution that would lead to Belgian independence. It was during the singing of Amour sacré pour la Patrie that the audience, inflamed by patriotic fervour, poured into the streets of the Belgian capital to expel the Dutch from the city. The modern building is in exquisite neo-Classical style with various busts of important figures in Belgian history adorning the façade. I didn't visit the interior (since I do not like opera and wasn't planning on paying for tickets), but I believe that there are some magnificent paintings adorning the ceiling of the hall.

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The Koninklijke Muntschouwburg (Royal Theater of the Mint) is Brussels’ opera house. Built in the mid 19th century, this theatre is the spiritual descendent of the theatre that spawned the revolutionary movement in 1830.

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Great looking Neo-Classical building that can be found near La Bourse. It was originally built in 1817 on the site of a 13th century mint but, following a fire in 1855, it was completely destroyed except for the wonderfull facade. After the fire, the theatre was redesigned by the busy architect Joseph Poelaert (1817-1879) who also had a hand in the Palais de Justice, Chateau Royal at Laeken and St Catherine's Church.

Brussel's theater house. I n 1830 a performance here of an opera tellig the story of an Italian uprsing against Spanish rule sparked a riot and revolution against Dutch rule. A year later Belguim attained independance from the Netherlands.

The Royal Theatre of Monnaie (le Théatre Royal de la Monnaie) got its name from the Mint that stood in front of it.

It was designed by Damesme and inaugurated on 25 May 1819 by Grétry's masterpiece 'La Caravane du Caire'.

There's a bas-relief by Eugène Simonis representing 'The harmony of the human passions'. The sculptor made it in 1851.

Belgium’s Independence began with a song from “La Muette de Portici”, a mediocre opera but it had an aria called “Sacred Song of Fatherland” and it was kind of the straw that broke the camel’s back for the patriots who where in assistance. The rest is history, Belgium got its independence from the Netherlands. It was built originally “A l’italienne” by architects Paolo et Pietro Bezzi at the end of the 17th century. Most of the building you can see today was ordered by William of Orange, king of the Netherlands, on a plan by French architect, Louis Damesme and was inaugurated in 1819. Most of it got destroyed in a fire in 1855. Only the facade and the columns survived. It was rebuilt shortly after.
Today, La Monnaie is still one of the most beautiful building in town and one of the very best opera in Europe. The interior is stunning with a big painted dome representing a sky, Italian-style structure (lots of balconies) and lots of plush red velvet seats (check out the Royal loggia where the King and Queen have their own seats). The Foyer is equally stunning. And you can also visit the Opera on Saturdays.

The Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie is the Opera House in Brussels. In the past it was the Royal coin house where money was made for the Brabant. The beautiful building is located very close to the Grand-Place.