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Grand Place Of Brussels

A Brief Introduction

Listed as one of the sites of world heritage by UNESCO in 1998, Brussels’s grand place is indeed among the most beautiful town squares of Europe. It is called De Grote Market in Dutch while the French speaking population of the country know it by the name of Grand-Place. The biggest attraction that the square possesses for tourists is its popular biennial flower carpet. After every two years, a huge carpet of flowers is set up in the square during the month of August for a few days. The other most popular event taking place on the square annually is the Ommegang: an ancient ceremony having duration of three days from the 3rd of July to July 5th. Fourteen hundred participators start from Sablon, wearing costumes and marching all the way, end their procession at the square.

Geography Of The Square

The most dominating building around the square is the town Hall with its glowing Gothic tower which can be seen from almost every part of the city, and the King’s Building or Le Maison Roi. All the buildings in its neighborhood reflect architecture of three different eras: Baroque, Gothic, and Louis IX.


Historical Background

Originally a sand hank between two brooks flowing to the river Seine, the place became a market known as “Lower Market or Neidermerckt:. During the 12th century the place had become large sales center of English, German, and French goods. Initially there used to he small wooden houses in the area, but by the fourteenth century, big stone mansions appeared around the square. In 1400 the construction of the Town Hall was completed. By that period the market square had not only become the commercial center but also the city’s political one. The place was used for meetings, receiving dignitaries, and also for the execution of criminals. On August 13th, 1695, it was ruined by heavy bombardment upon the order of Louise the XIV of France to retaliate the defeat of France in a battle in South Belgium. All the buildings, destroyed in the incident, including the town hall, were reconstructed between 1695 and 1700.

The square is always crowded and is visited by tourists and students at day time whereas by young people at night sitting on stones and gossiping, enjoying fine Belgian bear. The square lies at the junction of three main streets: Rue de Midi, Rue Marche aux Herbes, and Rue du Lombard. Being originally a market place where largely food items were bought and sold, the streets around the square are named after various eatables; such as, poulet, herbes etc. The Maaison Roi or King's House bears the less common Dutch name, Broodhuis, meaning Bread House.  

Location: 5Q53WM7G+23

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