Brussels+Historic+Center

=Brussels=

Brussels Historic Center
The rich history of Brussels sits in the main town square referred to as The Grand Place. This historic center of Brussels is rich with history. Brussels’ town square (or old market square) called “Grote Markt” in Dutch, has been around since the 13th century. It has been built up over the centuries. The downtown area with the King’s House, the Town Hall and the Houses of the Guilds all show the different architectural styles of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. There are some nights that the buildings are used as the canvas for a light and music show.

The biggest and most impressive building in the square is the King’s House. It is also called Broodhuis (Dutch), or Maison du Roi (French). It is in the middle of the historic center and immediately across the street from The Town Hall. It is likely it was built around the same time that the markets of the city began to grow so it only makes sense that this area became the town’s center. It is an interesting fact this was around the 13th century when it was originally a bakery. The changes to the building to its grand presence began in the 15th century by the Duke of Brabant and continued to its more original neo-gothic style in the 18th century. Even though its name would make you believe royalty once lived there, no kings ever lived in the building. It is currently the Brussels City Museum.

The Town hall building was built between 1402 and 1455 and has a gothic tower that reaches 96 meters in height. At the top of the tower is a golden statue of St. Michael who is the patron saint of Brussels. One of the most world famous statues, the Manneken Pis, has become a very important icon for Brussels. There are many legends around the actual statue that are discussed under the section specifically about the statue. There are over 725 different costumes for the statue that are housed in the King’s House. Not too far off the town center is also the female version of the statue, Jeanneke Pis and if that wasn’t enough, there is a dog version called the Zinneke Pis that sits at the corner of Rue des Chartreux and Rue du Vieux Marche aux grains. Each has their own sculptor and history or legend to go with them.

North of the Grand Place is an area called Ilot Sacre or Sacred Island where the Brussels Stock Exchange is located. Also to the north, there is an area called the Royal Galleries. These are places for shopping and were one of the first places for this activity in Europe. Boutiques, antiques, chocolate, cafes and restaurants are all available in this shopping gallery area. These are all found around Butchers’ Street which is famous because of the old guild of butchers that once inhabited that place. Now, it has many meat and seafood restaurants. The city center of Brussels has been described as breathtaking in all of its rich history and splendid architecture. The variety of shops and restaurants take you back in time while keeping you in the present.