Grand Place (Grote Markt) - details and images

"One of the most beautiful squares in Europe, if not the world." This is the sentence most often heard when tourists who visit the city of Brussels are asked to describe the city's central square. French speakers refer to it calling it the "Grand -Place, while in Dutch is called the Grote Markt. "Tourists today are not the only ones who admire the beauty of this location in Brussels. Archduchess Isabella, daughter of Philip II of Spain wrote about this market During his visit to Brussels in 1599 septemrbie: "I was never given to see something so beautiful and exquisite as the town where the market hall rises to the sky. decorations on buildings are truly remarkable."

Writers like Victor Hugo and Baudelaire were also impressed by the charm of the market, dominated by City Hall The building in Brussels, the Royal House and the medieval guild houses. Origin now called Grand Place market is somehow a very humble. The place was just a sandy soil between two springs flowing into the river Senna. Over time this land was turned into "Niedermerckt" or "below market". In the 12th century Brussels became a turning point of trade routes between Bruges, Cologne and France. Lana English, French wine and German beer were sold in the port and in this market.

During the Middle Ages small wooden houses began to appear around the market, but later, after the 14th century, wealthy and powerful patrician families built their houses of stone here. Little by little, the market has become commercial and administrative center of the city. In 1402 construction was begun in the Brussels town hall, this building would be completed in 1455. Market had become important political center where meetings were held, where executions were put in place and where dukes, kings and emperors were officially welcomed. In later years, all the wooden houses were replaced by beautiful stone residences, mostly owned by guilds of Brussels.

On August 13, 1695, the famous square was bombed and almost brought to ruin stage MARSHAL Villeroy card. By order of Louis 14th of France, it nearly destroyed the entire city of Brussels in retaliation for a battle lost in Namur (south Belgium). Between 1695 and 1700, the guilds have rebuilt all the houses. Hall, who had been severely damaged and it was rebuilt. In the 18th and 19th centuries most houses have entered the private propiretatea, and the new owners have been trying to modernize these houses changing their appearance, until the mayor of Brussels, Karel Buls, decided that these houses should be preserved as the Grand Place More possible in their original state. Without the intervention of the law promulgated by the mayor and he would be mutilated and unique style of these houses of downtown Brussels.

Nowadays, the Grand Place in Brussels is the main tourist attraction. During the entire year, the Great Market in Brussels is visited by thousands of people who enjoy your time here to see beautiful buildings, or rest at one of the many terraces and enjoying an excellent Belgian beer. Concerts and other kinds of musical events are held here in various periods of the year. The best known are taking place here eveniminete Ommegang (an historical procession that takes place in early July) and biennial flower carpet.



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