Grand Place description and photos - Belgium: Brussels (Topic)

Grand Place description and photos - Belgium: Brussels. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Grand Place.

Photo and description

The Grand Place, or Grote Markt, is an important historical and tourist center of Brussels, where the City Hall and the King's House (or Bread House) are located. The ensemble of the market square, built in the Louis XIV and Baroque style, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Grand Place is the most magnificent and elegant central square, surrounded by a square of carefully selected architectural masterpieces belonging to the guilds of merchants and artisans : House of the painter, House of the tailor, House of the boatman. The most impressive are the King's House and the City Hall. The town hall was erected in 1402, its high spire is decorated with a five-meter copper weather vane in the form of the Archangel Michael, and the statues of the facade depict various stories from the life of the city.

The huge House of the King today houses the Communal Museum, which tells the story of the creation of Brussels. Despite its name, this building has never been the home of any king. The lacy stone architecture of the King's House arose on the site of the former Bread House, where in the XIII century. they baked and sold bread.

Twice a year, a huge rectangular carpet of flowers is created on the square, decorating the Grand Place for three days. Multicolored begonias are specially grown near Ghent for this occasion.

You can enjoy this grandiose spectacle and the beauty of the architectural ensemble, comfortably sitting in one of the cafes on the square. Here you will also see the famous “Golden Barkas” tavern, where Victor Hugo lived, as well as the “House of the Swan” restaurant, the entrance to which is decorated with a swan sculpture.

We also recommend reading Solovetsky Zosimo-Savvatievsky Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery description and photos - Russia - North-West: Solovetsky Islands

Topic: Grand Place description and photos - Belgium: Brussels.