Grand-Place
Central square of Brussels, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
The Grand-Place, also called the Grote Markt, is the main square of Brussels, Belgium. It measures 68 by 110 metres and is completely paved. The square is lined with ornate Baroque guildhalls that once belonged to the city’s guilds, along with two larger buildings: the Flamboyant-style Town Hall and the neo-Gothic King’s House, also known as the Bread House, which now houses the Brussels City Museum. It is Brussels’ most important tourist attraction and its most recognizable landmark, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
The square’s construction began in the 11th century and was mostly finished by the 17th. In 1695, during the Nine Years’ War, French troops bombarded Brussels, destroying most of the square. Only the Town Hall’s façade and tower—which had been the artillery’s target—along with a few stone walls, survived the incendiary balls. The surrounding houses were rebuilt in the following years, giving the square its current look, though they were often modified in later centuries. Starting in the mid-19th century, the square’s historical value was recognized, and it underwent a thorough renovation.
The Grand-Place is considered one of the world’s most beautiful squares. It regularly hosts festive and cultural events, including a huge flower carpet laid in its center every even-numbered year in August. It is also a focal point for Christmas and New Year celebrations, and a Christmas tree has been placed there annually since the mid-20th century.
- location
- Brussels, Belgium
- dimensions
- 68 by 110 metres (223 by 361 ft)
- construction_start
- 11th century
- major_reconstruction
- After 1695 bombardment
- UNESCO_designation
- 1998
- notable_structures
- Town Hall, King's House/Bread House
Lore & Background
The Grand-Place's construction began in the 11th century and was largely complete by the 17th. In 1695, during the Nine Years' War, most of the square was destroyed during the bombardment of Brussels by French troops. Only the Town Hall's façade and tower, which served as a target for the artillery, as well as some stone walls, resisted the incendiary balls. The houses that surrounded the Grand-Place were rebuilt during subsequent years, giving the square its current appearance, though they were frequently modified in the following centuries. From the mid-19th century, the square's heritage value was rediscovered, and it was thoroughly renovated.
The square witnessed many tragic events. In 1523, the first Protestant martyrs Jan van Essen and Hendrik Vos were burned by the Inquisition on the square. In 1568, two statesmen, Lamoral, Count of Egmont and Philip de Montmorency, Count of Horn, were beheaded in front of the King's House. In 1719, François Anneessens, dean of the Nation of St. Christopher, was beheaded on the Grand-Place. The square frequently hosts festive and cultural events, among them, in August of every even year, the installation of an immense flower carpet in its centre.
Reader's Guide
The Grand-Place is the central square of Brussels, Belgium, and its most important tourist destination and memorable landmark. It is considered one of the world's most beautiful squares and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. The square is surrounded by opulent Baroque guildhalls of the former Guilds of Brussels and two larger edifices: the city's Flamboyant Town Hall, and the neo-Gothic King's House or Bread House building, housing the Brussels City Museum. The square measures 68 by 110 metres (223 by 361 ft) and is entirely paved.
Its construction began in the 11th century and was largely complete by the 17th. In 1695, during the Nine Years' War, most of the square was destroyed during the bombardment of Brussels by French troops. Only the Town Hall's façade and tower, as well as some stone walls, resisted. The houses were rebuilt during subsequent years, giving the square its current appearance. From the mid-19th century, the square's heritage value was rediscovered, and it was thoroughly renovated. The square frequently hosts festive and cultural events, including an immense flower carpet in August of every even year, and annual Christmas and New Year celebrations with a Christmas tree erected since the mid-20th century.
Did You Know?
- The Grand-Place measures 68 by 110 metres (223 by 361 ft) and is entirely paved.
- In 1695, during the Nine Years' War, most of the square was destroyed by a French bombardment; only the Town Hall's façade and tower resisted.
- The square has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
- In August of every even year, an immense flower carpet is installed in the centre of the square.
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