Grand Place in Brussels: An Open-Air Museum of History
The Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium, is magnificent and hailed as "the most beautiful square in Europe." Surrounded by buildings of various architectural styles, it resembles an open-air museum that tells the story of its long history. π Address: Grote Markt, 1000 Brussel, Belgium π‘ Historical Highlights: - 11th century: The Grand Place began to take shape as an important commercial center. - 14th century: The construction of the Town Hall was completed, with its Gothic spire becoming a symbol of the square. - 1568: Counts Egmont and Horn were executed here for their resistance against Spanish rule. - 1695: The square was heavily damaged by French artillery fire but was later rebuilt, resulting in its current Baroque style. π Nearby Attractions: - Brussels Town Hall: A Gothic architectural masterpiece with a 96-meter-high spire and exquisite interior decorations. - Huize Den Vos: Built in 1699, it is famous for the fox sculpture on its gable. - Brussels City Museum: Displays the history and culture of Brussels with a rich collection. - Maison du Marchand d'Or: A Baroque-style building that was once the residence of a gold merchant. - Grote Markt Huis: One of the oldest buildings on the square, dating back to the 15th century. - Maison des Ducs de Brabant: Composed of seven houses, representing the seven regions of the Duchy of Brabant. - Everard 'T Serclaes Statue: A statue on the square, and it is said that touching its arm brings good luck. π Tips: - In the evening, when the lights are on, the square becomes even more enchanting. - Every August, the square hosts the "Flower Carpet Festival," where the entire square is covered with flowers, creating a breathtaking sight. - There are many restaurants and cafes on the square where you can enjoy Belgian specialties. There are also numerous chocolate shops and souvenir stores in the vicinity for you to explore. #Belgium #Brussels #GrandPlace #HistoricalArchitecture