Known as the capital of Europe, Brussels' unique character comes from the coexistence of French and Flemish culture
Now home to people of many different nationalities, this mix has added a cosmopolitan flavor to the urban atmosphere
The city's vibrant atmosphere is further enhanced by picturesque medieval streets, lively squares, stately boulevards
impressive monuments, spacious parks, cozy cafes, and a dynamic cultural life. Brussels' Grand Place is a remarkably homogeneous arrangement of public and private buildings
dating mainly from the late 17th century. The dominant architectural style of this important political and commercial center
provides a vivid illustration of the level of social and cultural life of the era in which it was built
In 1998, Brussels' Grand Place was included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The origins of the Grand Place, however, are humble. The site once formed a sandbank between two brooks which ran downhill to the River Seine
The sandbank was later reclaimed to be turned into the Niedermacht, or Lower Market
By the 12th century, Brussels had become a commercial crossroads between Bruges and Flanders, Cologne and France
English wool, French wines and German beer were sold in the harbor and marketplace
During the early Middle Ages, small wooden houses were scattered around the marketplace
But beginning in the 14th century, the city's rich and powerful partitioned families began to build stone mansions there
The market was also gradually turned into the city's main commercial and administrative center
Construction on the town hall was begun in 1402 By which time the square had already become Brussels' political center
Where town meetings were held, executions were carried out And dukes, kings and emperors were officially received
In the following centuries wooden houses were mainly replaced with beautifully decorated stone ones
mostly owned by Brussels Guilds. On August 13, 1695, the prestigious square was completely destroyed
during a bombardment by Field Marshal de Villroy. The attack was carried out by Order of Louis XIV of France
in retaliation for the French defeat at Metamor. Between 1695 and 1700, the guilds rebuilt their houses
and the heavily damaged town hall was entirely reconstructed. When entering the marketplace from one of the seven side streets, one's eyes are drawn
automatically to the town hall's Gothic tower which soars skywards. The 96 tower in the Brebentine Gothic style was designed by Jan van Broersburg in the 15th century By 1840 a complete restoration of the town hall led to the decoration of the entire facade
with a total of 203 little statues representing the dukes and duchesses of Brabant who ruled
the dukedom between the years 580 and 1564. The construction of the building represented
the growing power of Brussels as the capital of the Dukedom of Brabant
Because of the growing importance of the city, the administrators decided to build a new town hall
that would meet the city's need for a large administrative center. The original statue of Saint Michael remained on the tower until June 1996
when it was replaced with a new one. The rooms inside the Town Hall were furnished during several different periods and display
a variety of styles. In the rear wing, intended for the state of Brabant, are opulent rooms in the style of
Louis XIV from the early 18th century. The large council chamber boasts a superb ceiling by Victor Janssens and tapestries
woven according to his designs. A masterpiece of Gothic civil architecture from the 15th century, the town hall is famous for its sumptuous interior
Paintings, sculptures and tapestries evoke local and national history in one of the most opulent settings in Belgium
In the Gothic wing of the town hall, two former state rooms were refurbished in the 19th century
in the strict neo-Gothic style. The wedding room and the Gothic room shown here were the
site of official ceremonies. Other parts of the building include the official rooms used by
alderman, now decorated with works of art purchased by the city in the 19th and 20th centuries
The great Banquete Hall and the marriage chamber shown here are both beautifully paneled
The interior of the town hall was completely destroyed during the bombardment of Brussels in 1695
A large proportion of the archives were lost at that time, along with precious paintings by Weyden, Van Dyck, Coxsey and Rubens
No major work was carried out in the 18th and early 19th centuries
leading to deterioration of the building's overall state. This trend was reversed after 1840, as various campaigns were organized for the preservation
restoration and embellishment of the building fa and interiors The construction of a belfry and modest municipal hall took place only in the course of the 14th century
At the turn of the 15th century, this first municipal hall was replaced by what constitutes the left wing of the current Gothic building today
The right wing was built in the middle of the 15th century
Opposite the town hall stands another of Brussels remarkable historical buildings. The beautiful neo-gothic building with its many decorative statues is known as the Maison
du Roi in French or the Brutus in Flemish. It is now home to the historical city museum
In the beginning of the 13th century a wooden construction stood here, used by the bakers
sell their bread. In 1405 a stone building replaced the original wooden bread hall
When, during the early 15th century, bakers began selling their products door to door
the ancient bread hall began to be used increasingly for administrative purposes by the Duke of
Brabant, hence the French name Maison du Roi, or the King's House. During the reign of the
Emperor Charles V in the first part of the 16th century, the King's House was rebuilt in the
flamboyant Gothic style
In 1887, the king's house became home to the City Museum of Brussels
The museum's collection includes original statues from the town hall, paintings, wall
tapestries, and different artifacts related to the history of the city. The collections of the Museum of the City present a very diversified character
Models, objects like flags, banners, sculptures, paintings, altarpieces, tapestries, china, plans of the city, as well as archaeological collections
The wardrobe of the mannequin piece also has a special place in the museum's collection
The famous mannequin piece remains the emblem of the rebellious spirit of the city of Brussels
Mannequin Peace was initially a fountain in Brussels that played an essential role in the distribution of drinking water
beginning in the 15th century. Towards the end of the 17th century
the statue began to grow in importance in the urban imagination, having survived the bombardment of Brussels in 1695
During important city events, the statue is dressed in luxurious clothes. Brussels Place des Martres took its name from the fallen heroes who were buried there after the fight for Belgium's independence
The square, with its elegant classical houses, was built between 1774 and 1776, according to the design of architect Claude Fisco
Together with the Place Royale, which dates from the same period, it marked the beginning of a classical period of urban construction in Brussels
Before the revolution it was called Place de Saint Michel and was the site of markets and fairs For a brief period after the French Revolution it was renamed Place de la Blanchisserie since it had been used for bleaching textiles
The new stock exchange building was built on the site of the 13th century Recolet convent
whose ruins have been preserved in an underground museum on the Rue de la Bourse
The Brussels Stock Exchange was founded by Napoleonic Decree in 1801. Construction on the Stock Exchange began in October 1869
and the building was inaugurated in 1874 at a ceremony intended by King Leopold II and Queen Marie Henriette
The building style mixes elements of the Neo-Renaissance and Second Empire architectural styles
The Galerie Saint-Hubert, built in 1846, feature luxury shops and cafes, a cinema, and a theatre
They provide a link between the surroundings of the Town Hall Square and the National Opera
Smaller side galleries are the universe of antiquarians and librarians. The Cathedral of St. Michael and Goudola is located on the Troerenberg Hill
which divides the lower town from the upper town. As early as the beginning of the 11th century, a church has stood on the site
In 1047, the Duke of Brabant, Lambert II, had the relics of St. Goudola transferred from the St. Gork Church in the center of Brussels
to the new church on the Troerenberg Hill. Inside, twelve pillars clearly determine the interior of the cathedral, whereas triforia and stained-glass windows in the late Gothic style allow light to stream into the church
The most outstanding feature of the church's interior are its stained-glass windows, designed by various artists
For centuries, the arts and the Christian faith have had a rich and fruitful relationship, which has led to the creation of works of sublime beauty, such as those that adorn Brussels Cathedral
The cathedral underwent almost continuous renovation throughout the 20th century. Modern-day Brussels serves as capital of the European Union, and thus hosts the Union's major political institutions
The presence of the EU institutions has had a colossal impact on the development of Brussels in recent years
Yet the city has managed to hold fast to its important historic roots
symbolized in the magnificent Grand Place