Grand-Place
Grand-Place / Grote Markt
Victor Hugo called it “the most beautiful square in the world.” This Gothic and Baroque ensemble is ringed by the City Hall and gilded guild houses.
The Grand-Place measures about 110 m long and 68 m wide and has been the commercial heart of the city since the 12th century. In 1695, French artillery bombardment nearly leveled it, but the guilds rebuilt in just five years, raising ornate Baroque guild houses with façades decorated in gold leaf, statues and heraldic emblems. On the southwest side stands the 15th-century Gothic City Hall, whose 96-metre spire is topped by a statue of Saint Michael slaying the dragon, the city's patron saint. Opposite is the neo-Gothic King's House, now the Brussels City Museum, which holds some of Manneken Pis's costumes. Victor Hugo and Karl Marx both lived around the square. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. In mid-August of even-numbered years, some 500,000 begonias are arranged into a giant floral carpet. In winter, the square hosts a light-and-music show and a Christmas tree. Admission to the square is free. The surrounding streets are lined with chocolate shops (Godiva, Neuhaus, Leonidas) and beer halls. Delirium Café is famous for its thousands of beers. The Grand-Place is about a five-minute walk from Brussels-Central station.
Opening hours
Open all day; town hall visits by guided tour only
Nearby sights
- Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries
- Manneken Pis
- Sablon & Notre-Dame du Sablon
- Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium & Mont des Arts
- Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula
- Belgian Comic Strip Center
- Royal Palace of Brussels
- Horta Museum