What to see and do in Grand Place, the most beautiful place in Brussels

The main square of a large city usually houses one of the monuments most important of it and concentrate a great tourist environment.

There are squares of great beauty in many European cities, but there is no doubt that one of them is the Grand Place of Brussels, through which I have had the opportunity to walk again during my most recent trips to belgium.

Contrary to what you may think if you don't know her yet, Brussels It does not have the enormous extension of other cities like Paris, London or Madrid.

In fact, I can tell you that to a large extent your Brussels sightseeing tour will focus on the Grand Place and its surroundings, where you will find a large part of the attractions of the European capital.

Yes, the Grand Place It will surprise you by its large dimensions and, above all, by the majesty of some of the monuments that surround it, highlighting the buildings of the Brussels City Hall and King's House.

But the beauty of this enormous square is found in its architectural ensemble with various architectural styles, from Gothic, to Baroque, Neoclassical and Neo-Gothic.

History of the Grand Place in Brussels

The artistic importance of this monumental complex will help you with the fact that in 1998 it was declared Heritage awarded by the Unesco.

The current configuration of the Grand Place It dates back to the beginning of the 1402th century, when the construction of the town hall began in XNUMX.

This was carried out in three successive phases as a result of the great competition that existed between the cities of Brussels y Leuven for having the most majestic town hall building.

The one of Brussels It was not completed until 1455, when the spire of the soaring 96-meter-high central tower was raised.

Of course, since so many changes and extensions were made to the building, the construction had numerous defects.

A critical moment in the history of Brussels City Hall It was in August 1695, when it was bombed by the French, and as a consequence barely the facades of both the town hall building and the aforementioned building were left standing. King's House.

The wooden houses that surrounded the square were also completely destroyed, but they were rebuilt in later years.

What to see and do in Brussels' Grand Place

when you get to Brussels I advise you to start your visit of the city in the Grand Place.

In your visit of the Grand Place in Brussels There are several corners that you should pay attention to.

Brussels City Hall

The town hall building will draw your attention to its grandeur and the numerous statues that cover its façade, copies of original statues that are preserved in the Brussels City Museum, one of the corners that you can visit in the square.

Due to its orientation, the beauty of the Brussels City Hall You will appreciate it much better in the morning, when the sunlight illuminates its facade.

King's House on Grand Place in Brussels

In front of the town hall is the aforementioned King's House, an old bread market that from 1406 began to fulfill the functions of Justice room.

The building that you can now see is the result of a reconstruction in neo-gothic style made in 1873, and currently houses the aforementioned Brussels City Museum.

In fact, throughout the 19th century the various buildings in the square were little by little rebuilt.

Brussels City Museum

At Brussels City Museum, through its collections, the history of the now European capital is shown throughout the centuries.

During your visit you will be able to see everything from archaeological objects or models of the city, to paintings, sculptures, porcelain, altarpieces and tapestries.

The Brussels City Museum visiting hours They are, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 17 p.m.

 Bar and restaurant terraces on the Grand Place in Brussels

Now, one aspect that will surely catch your attention on your walk through this great square, to which you will return several times during your trip, is that you will find it full of Tourists at any time of the day…or night.

This great atmosphere is also fostered by the numerous terraces of bars and restaurants that surround a large part of the square.

Be sure to sit in one of them to enjoy the architectural beauty of the buildings that surround the square, and its great atmosphere.

And you will also see that you can also experience this environment in your evening visit to the Grand Place.

On the other hand, as you can imagine, the Grand Place It is the place where numerous cultural events take place throughout the year.

And if you visit her in month of August, you will be able to see one of the most famous images of this square, when every two years the center of it is covered by a huge flower carpet.

Photos Grand Place Brussels

As an invitation for you to visit it, here you have more photos of the Grand Place in Brussels.