A place travelers can visit Grand Place

Reviews: Grand Place

General description: Grand Place

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Description
This has been the heart of the city since ancient times. Locals, newcomers, visitors, newlyweds and guests of state all mingle on the cobbles of this, the "most beautiful theatre in the world" (Jean Cocteau). The restaurants with their terraces are the theatre boxes. Young people gather at the steps of the Maison du Roi. From there, one can fully appreciate the elegant splendour of the Town Hall. Miraculously this symbol of bourgeois power was one of the few buildings to escape Louis XIV's bombardment in 1695. The 91 m high tower, crowned with a statue of the city's patron saint, Michael, asymmetrically divides the Late Gothic façade which is completely covered with sculptures. The former Linen Hall on the southwestern corner of the inner courtyard was destroyed and then rebuilt in strict Baroque style in 1706. This is where the Mayor has his seat. On the other corner, the city council used to meet in a princely hall. The self-confident citizens decorated it, just like emperors and kings, with precious tapestries and a ceiling fresco glorifying Brussels and Brabant. Between the council rooms and the Mayor's Cabinet there are extravagantly furnished reception and meeting rooms. The offices of the lay judges on the square side are no less magnificent. Luckily, they did not suffer the fate of the Wedding Hall and the Gothic Hall which were converted in keeping with the prevailing taste for the Neo-Gothic during the 19th century. At that time, Neo-Gothic gingerbread style relaced the old Maison du Roi opposite the Town Hall. The craftsmen's guilds which, alongside the patricians, were a pillar of Brussels society, rebuilt their proud houses on the Grand' Place in record time after being destroyed in 1695 - making them even more beautiful than before. All of these buildings have special names. The square is dominated by the uniform and harmonious façade of the so-called House of the Dukes of Brabant. The "King of Spain" with its smart dome - once the seat of the bakers' guild - takes pride of place on the corner with the narrow Rue au Beurre. In L'Arbre d'Or (The Golden Tree), the brewers still invite guests to a drink (No.10). At Le Cygne (The Swan), guests wanting one of the most desirable tables have to book long in advance. Only gentlemen wearing ties are permitted to enter the smart cocktail bar Le Cerf volant (The Kite) and its restaurant on the first floor. Those who still haven't found the love of their life yet should try stroking the bronze arm of the knight Everard't Serclaes - legend has it that they will find true love within the year.
The city's favourite meeting place - with its ornate Town Hall and the magnificent guild houses - bears witness to Brussels's wealth.

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