Grand Place in Brussels (Grand place, Grote Markt). Grand Place in Brussels - the central square of the capital of Belgium Grand Place brussels belgium

Brussels turned out to be rich in objects included in the list world heritage UNESCO. There were three of them here. But the most visited is the former market, the central square of the city La Grand-Place.

It is visited by almost, if not all, who come to the Belgian capital. Many do not even suspect that this area is separately allocated by a respected international organization. However, in 1998, La Grand-Place was included in the list of UNESCO sites under number 857.

The official website of UNESCO comments on the inclusion of the square in its list:
"La Grande Place in Brussels is an outstanding integral complex of public and private buildings, dating mainly from the end of the 17th century. Their architecture vividly illustrates the level of social and cultural life of Brussels as an important political and shopping center Europe of that time" (whc.unesco.org/en/list/857)

well versed English language they can read a lot more on the UNESCO website, but I will allow myself a short historical digression and a few photos of the objects that form this architectural ensemble.

UNESCO defines La Grand-Place as a 15th century monument. It is this century that dates back to the construction of the majestic Gothic town hall, which has been completely preserved, and determines the face of the entire complex of buildings.

The town hall began to be built in 1402, and acquired its final form in 1455 with the completion of the construction of the bell tower, 96 meters high. This is the only surviving building in the center of Brussels after the artillery bombardment by the French in 1695. The town hall to this day sometimes serves as the mayor's residence, but is more used for tourist excursions.

An even more ancient building, however, partially destroyed in the same 1695, and later restored, is the Bread House or the King's House (Dutch Broodhuis, French Maison du Roi)

The bread house was built in the 13th century on the market, where bread was baked and sold. But during the reign of Emperor Charles V at the beginning of the 16th century, the house was rebuilt in the Gothic style. Since then, they have been talking about it as the "King's House". So until now he has two equivalent names. Now there is the Brussels Museum, in which, among numerous valuable exhibits, there are more than five hundred costumes of the "Manneken Pis", the first fully preserved costume of which was donated by the French King Louis XV back in 1747.

The remaining buildings, collectively called "Guild Houses", were rebuilt here within four years by various guilds in Brussels immediately after the destruction of the city center at the end of the 17th century.

It was overcast on the morning of October 6, 2014, when I was photographing this material. But, I think it won't hurt to leave the most "bright" impressions about the square... For a bigger impression, you can see how bright and contrasting the same place looked the night before Night cities... Brussels Central Square + bonus

P.S. I'll add a few words to last photo monument Everard "t Serclaes - the folk hero of Brussels. (For those who want to know who it is, I give the link en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everard ...) I noticed how many tourists queue up to touch, but rather rub some part of the body of the sculpture.Something is sure to mean, and I also "rubbed".

It turned out that the locals believe that the statue brings good luck and helps in the fulfillment of desires, if you touch it (already zealous tourists began to rub). And, if you touch your hands, then you will definitely return to Brussels someday ...

The Grand Place has been the heart of Brussels since the Middle Ages. Victor Hugo, the famous French writer of the last century, who lived for some time in Brussels, called the Grand Place the most beautiful of the main squares in Europe, and for good reason)

Grand Place(in Flemish Grote Markt), or the Great Market, is a historical square in the center of Brussels, one of the most important tourist sites in the city. Two of the most important sights are located here - the Brussels City Hall and the Bread House or the King's House.

The market square arose in the 12th century on the site of dried marshes. At the very beginning, it was only the market place of old Brussels, one of the villages on the ancient shepherd's road, along which the herds were driven. The village grew and grew rich thanks to trade. The development of the Grand Place began in 1402 with the building of the town hall Hotel de Ville, which occupies most of its side of the square and was mostly completed in 1480. The original town hall tower, 91 meters high, was built from 1449 to 1455. Its spire is crowned with a weather vane in the form of a five-meter copper figure of the Archangel Michael trampling on the devil. On the facade of the building there are more than a hundred statues, these are copies of ancient originals made in the last century. The interiors are richly decorated with Brussels wall hangings and paintings. Two fountains in the courtyard symbolize the two main rivers of Belgium - the Scheldt and the Meuse.

Brussels City Hall day and night

On the opposite side of the square, the Bread House was built in the 13th century, which, as the name suggests, was used to store bread. Later this building became known as the King's House. Interestingly, the Dutch language still uses the older name (bread house), while in French this building is called the "king's house". In the years 1873-1895 it was renovated in all the splendor of the architectural style of the XVI century, and now it houses the City Museum. In one of its most interesting halls, a collection of costumes is presented, numbering more than 350 exhibits.

On August 13, 1695, the bombardment of Brussels by the French army began for several days. As a result, the entire city center was destroyed. On the Grand Place only the town hall survived, and, in part, the Bread House.

However, after the end of the war, the area was quickly (in just four years) rebuilt by wealthy guilds. As a result, the area took on a look very close to the present. 33 guild buildings built in the 17th century, either pseudo-Gothic or Baroque, complete the rectangle of the square.

Every day in the morning, a flower market opens on the square, and on Sundays - a bird market. Once upon a time in the old days, the Burgundian nobility arranged jousting tournaments here.

Not far from the Grand Place is the famous “Manniken Pis”, or “Manneken Pis”, “the oldest citizen of the capital” and “the bold emblem of Brussels”. The first copy, which has not survived, dates from the 14th century. Oddly enough, this monument is the most famous monument in the country and today has 517 textile suits for ceremonies and has been awarded many orders.

Brussels Ensemble Grand Place included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Grand Place - Grand Place (Grote Markt). Square in the center Brussels, a major tourist attraction, one of the most beautiful squares in the world. The area has a length of 110 meters and a width of 68 meters. It is surrounded by houses built in the 17th century - Guild houses. The ensemble of the market square as a whole was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998. Grand Place was named the most beautiful square in Europe in 2010. Moscow Red Square then took second place. Here are located city ​​hall building (Town Hall) and Bread House (King's House, Broodhuis, Maison du Roi). Every two years (in even years) the square is decorated with the famous Flower Carpet from living begonias, which attracts tourists from all over the world.

In the city center in general, and on the Grand Place in particular, the architecture is dominated by medieval houses in the Flemish style, in particular, in the style of the Flemish Baroque and Brabant Gothic. The architectural ensemble of the Brussels Grand Place took shape in the 16th-18th centuries. The market square itself (just an open area for trading) arose at the end of the 11th century on the site of dried-up swamps, near the fortress on the Seine River, from which Brussels began. At first it was called Nedermerckt (lower market). At the beginning of the 13th century, it ceased to be just an open area - the first "pavilions" appeared, so to speak ... Soon, as the city grew, other buildings surrounded it. Built in the 13th century Bread House(used to store bread), later the building became known as King's house. Between 1402 and 1455 the building was erected town halls, which has been preserved to this day. However, many buildings around the square were destroyed at one time. On August 13, 1695, the bombardment of Brussels by a French army of 70,000 began for several days. As a result, the entire city center was destroyed. On the market square stood only town hall and (partly) Bread House. After the end of the war, the square was rebuilt in four years by wealthy guilds (it's something like medieval trade unions). The Guild Houses are built in the Baroque and Louis XIV styles. Their facades are decorated with carvings, garlands, figurines and columns. Each has its own name and once belonged to a particular guild. Narrow - three or four windows - the facades of these buildings are easy to recognize today. For example, the House "Rozhok" belonged to the shipbuilders' workshop and its facade in the upper part looks like the stern of a ship. BUT House "Swan" was the office of butchers and is decorated accordingly with a sculpture of a swan. In 1845, during the stay of Marx and Engels in Brussels, they often visited the cafe located in this house (this is house number 9), they presented their "Communist Manifesto" to interested parties here. Standing next door house "Star" famous for high relief Everard Circlas(No. 8). Another house, "She-Wolf" was occupied by the guild of archers, the house "Cart" was built in 1697 by the guild of oil and fat producers. There is also "Oak", "Little Fox", one of the houses was built by the brewers' guild (No. 1) - and there now Beer Museum. In the 18th century, the revolutionary masses defaced the Grand Place, destroyed the statues of noble people and even the symbols of Christianity. The buildings were in a terrible state, the facades were mutilated, repainted and not restored. But the new mayor at the end of the 19th century brought order here - and the square shone in its former splendor. Until November 19, 1959, the square remained really a market place - there was trade here ... And the famous Flower Carpet appeared here in 1971. This action turned out to be popular - and therefore, since 1986, every two years, on an ongoing basis, from August 15, a huge carpet of multi-colored begonias measuring 24 by 77 meters and with a total area of ​​1,800 sq.m. is created on the Grand Place for several days. The event attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world. In other years, they decorate with flowers City Hall. Details of promotions - at www.flowercarpet.be.

And from all sides we got to the street Boterstraat, leading us to the Grand Place.

Grand Place or whatever they call it locals Brussels' most important square, the Grote Markt is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe with architecture from three different eras (baroque, gothic and Louis XIV style). Two of the most important sights are located here - the town hall and the Bread House or the King's House (Broodhuis / Maison du Roi). The entire complex has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.

In fact, this was a place where merchants and townspeople sold and bought food. As a result, all the streets surrounding the square are named after products such as chicken (poulet), herbs (herbes), cheese (fromage) and so on.

In addition to the town hall and the Bread House / House of the King, there are almost forty buildings around the square from the period of the 14th - 17th centuries.
Since 1971, every two years on August 15, a colorful design carpet measuring 24 by 77 meters has been created on the square using more than 700,000 multi-colored begonias.

The Grand Place has acquired the status of a city square since the 12th century (then called "Nedermarckt").
She also played a negative role in the history of the Belgian city. In the 16th and 17th century, hundreds of people were executed in the city square for various reasons. Witches and Protestants were burned at the stake, and rioters and other villains were beheaded.

The Brewers' House is the headquarters of the Belgian Brewers' Association. In the basement, there is the main museum of brewing in the country. The museum is open daily from 10.00 to 17.00, on weekends it opens at 12.00. Price ~ 6 euros. Here you can get acquainted with the brewing process and taste the beer in the museum bar at the end of the tour.

Restaurants and cafes around the square are not cheap, but if you are tired then order something light, even just a drink. But you, and admire the area, and rest. There are many Greek, Turkish or Italian style restaurants in the small alleys nearby which are good for a quick bite. There are also many shops with Belgian waffles around. In no case do not buy cheap ones, otherwise you will be disappointed and throw them away without finishing. Better pay more, but enjoy the taste.

The magnificent Grand Place in the center of Brussels is majestic and elegant at the same time. Once on this square, you understand that all other sights of Belgium simply pale in front of this masterpiece of real Gothic art.

through the pages of history

The history of this city square is rooted in the centuries-old thickness of ancient times. All the significant events of this city took place here, the Grand Place saw many rulers and statesmen, great people and celebrities. Each stage of its history is a capture of the pages of urban history:

• XII century - the city Market Square was built on the site of dried marshes;
• XIII century - the Bread House was erected, where bread was stored: hardly anyone at that time could have known that this building would soon turn into the King's House, the main decoration of the square;
• 1402-1455 - the Gothic building of the town hall was built;
• 1695 - the square was destroyed as a result of the shelling of the city by the French army that lasted several days; many sights of Brussels died this year;
• beginning of the 17th century - the Grand Place was rebuilt by rich guilds; now you can see the luxurious guild houses of that time, built in the Baroque or Louis XIV style.

Each building on this square is a real masterpiece of world Gothic art. Nearby are hotels in Brussels, where you can relax after all the excursions.

Grand Place: architectural appearance

The beauty of the square is the buildings that are located on it. For example, the 15th century town hall is unique in its architecture:

• the original town hall tower is 91 meters high;
• its spire is crowned with a weather vane in the form of a 5-meter copper figure of the Archangel Michael;
• the facade of the building is decorated with hundreds of statues;
• the interior of the Town Hall is richly decorated with paintings and carpets;
• in the courtyard you can see two picturesque fountains.

The King's House, which now houses the Belgian City Museum, is an excellent example of neo-Gothic style in architecture. You can also visit the beautiful museum complex Royal Museums of Fine Arts.

One of the great traditions of the Grand Place is the creation of a huge carpet of flowers every two years. An incredible sight is a drawing of millions of multi-colored begonias. Its size is 24 x 77 meters, and the total area is 1,800 square meters. meters.

Once in the very center of Brussels - on the Grand Place - you can not pass by this Gothic splendor. Here you want to walk endlessly, seeing the sights of Brussels, decorating this square with their Gothic lace.

Working hours: a large market is open daily from 9:00 to 20:00.