Grand Place (Grote Markt) Brussels

Here is the center of Brussels: the Grand Place ("Großer Platz", also "Grote Markt" in Flemish) captivates with its magnificent architecture. Because around the Grande Place are lined up splendidly decorated houses with their baroque facades and gables. Since 1998 the place has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Two majestic buildings outperform each other on the Grand Place of Brussels. On the one hand, the City Hall of Brussels, right opposite the House of Bread, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Museum of the City of Brussels is located. The rivalry between the two buildings is no coincidence: the Duke of Brabant replaced the 13th century wooden bread halls - hence the name Broodhuis - in the 15th century with a prestigious building that had to showcase its power and thus counterbalance it. the imposing building opposite, symbol of urban independence. The French name Maison du Roi owes the building to Charles V, once ruler of a large part of the world and also once owner of the Broodhuis. Destroyed in the 16th century, it was rebuilt in neo-Gothic style at the end of the 19th century by city architect Victor Jamaer.
Not only the history and the exterior of the Broodhuis is worthwhile. Inside, the Museum of the City of Brussels provides a richly decorated overview of the history of Brussels, with a great deal of attention to art, crafts, archeology and folklore. The original Manneken Pis statue is also housed here for security reasons, but his wardrobe - with nearly 1,000 outfits larger than any fashionista's - must be admired in the specially designed museum in Eikstraat. So much closer to the naked guy.

A combination ticket gives access to the Museum of the City of Brussels-Broodhuis and the Garderobe MannekenPis.

Source: VisitBrussels

The Great Square is one of the landmarks of Brussels and has made it onto the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is framed by numerous important buildings, such as the town hall, the so-called bread house, the houses of many guilds and some private houses.