Visit the Grand Place in Brussels
Updated January 17, 2023 by pierre
The Grand-Place in Brussels, a place not to be missed!
It is one of the most beautiful squares in the world! Do not hesitate to see it during your visit to Brussels. The Grand Place in Brussels is made up of a set of buildings born towards the end of the XNUMXth century and constitutes the heart of Brussels. Each architecture reflects the liveliness of the social and cultural life of an impressive political and commercial center.
If you come for a day ou a weekend in Brussels, do not miss to pass by! feel free to take a lunch break near the Grand-Place. Some restaurants are not overpriced.
The architecture of the Grand Place
The Grand-Place in Brussels represents a remarkable fusion of architectural styles and artistic characterizing the cultural richness of the region. It is above all the image of the evolution of a merchant city in northern Europe. Victor Hugo described him as theone of the most beautiful places in the world. Karl Marx totally succumbed to her charm. She becomes Unesco World Heritage from 1998. Once in this square, you will feel surrounded by Brussels castles worthy of a Belgian Harry Potter.
A place full of history in Brussels
Initially called Nedermarkt, the square only inherited its current name during the 1965th century. Occupying the place of an important former market in Brussels, the Grande-Place of Brussels gathers around it, emblematic buildings which reflect a unique architectural richness. The Grand-Place is the image of the success of Brussels, which managed to recover from a terrible bombardment perpetrated by Louis XIV in XNUMX, sparing only a few houses and theHôtel de Ville. Built between 1401 and 1459, it inherited a impressive gothic style. On its ground floor there are various arcaded galleries. The building is distinguished above all by an elegant tower culminating at 96 meters. Opposite is the king's house became the city museum. It is one of the most imposing architectures of the Grande-Place built around the XNUMXth century in a flamboyant Gothic style. Indeed, despite the reconstruction work, the square has managed to keep its ornamental richness.
What activities take place on the “ Grote Market »
The rectangular shape that the Grande-Place has inherited is the result of a multitude of modification and extension works that only ended after 1965. Located in the heart of Brussels, the Grand-Place is the scene of several day and night entertainment. Cafés and restaurants line the square and offer a magnificent view of the architectural richness of the houses from a terrace. The Place changes appearance at every moment of the day. If in the morning, it is the seat of a flower market, in the evening, it lights up to reinforce the beauty of its facades. Each year, the Grand-Place receives various idyllic events such as the Flower Carpet which take place there every two years or Belgian Beer Weekend and l'Ommegang, the reconstitution of the arrival of Charles Quint in Brussels.
Things to do in the center of Brussels near the Grand-Place
- Restaurants and cafes near the main square of Brussels
- Zineken Piss, the pissing dog near the Grand-Place
- Famous statues in the center of Brussels
- The new City Hall Museum
