Grand Place

Hotels near Grand Place, Brussels, Belgium .

Grand Place is the main attraction of Belgium’s capital Brussels and is considered by many as one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe, if not the world. Even writers such as Victor Hugo and Baudelaire have sung its praises.

Called Grand Place by French speakers and de grote Markt by dutch speakers, it is beautifully set in between Guild houses, a dominating town hall and the King’s House, build by the Duke of Brabant to counter the municipal power symbolized by the town hall. But if its grandeur is easy to spot today, the square had a rather different beginning.

In the 12th century Brussels served as a commercial crossroad between Bruges in Flanders, Cologne and France. The site where the Grand Place is now located used to be a sand bank. A lower end market was quickly formed here, selling goods from all over Europe; from English wool to German beer.

In 1455 when the Town Hall was completed, the square was already established as a centre of power and politics, due to the wealthy families building their mansions there. It was here meetings were held, executions took place and where kings and emperors were officially received.

In 1695 Louis XIV of France had the square bombed to ruins in retaliation of loosing a battle in Namur, South Belgium. The guilds spent the next five years rebuilding the square and in the 18th and 19th centuries most of these houses became privately owned. To keep an architectural unity the mayor Karel Buls decided that all houses should maintain their original style.
Today the Grand Place is a great place to stroll around and admire the glorious buildings. As in the days of old there is a bustling street life, but these days the commerce mainly takes place in the many terraced café’s and bars scattered around the square. Having a Belgian beer in Grand Place is a must for all visitors!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Place

Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames.

Review nearby accommodation, Grand Place hotels, motels, apartments, restaurants, things to do & more.

Search Hotels in Brussels.

Cheap accommodation and hotels in Grand Place - Resorts, Motels, Travel & more.

Location
Check In
Check Out

Nearby Attractions and Landmarks:

Anderlecht
Antwerpen International Airport
Antwerpen International Airport
Arcade De Guimard
Atomium
Berchem-Sainte-Agathe
Brussel
Brussels Casino
Brussels Exhibition Centre
Brussels Expo
Brussels Kart
Brussels National Airport
Brussels Palace of Justice
Brussels South Charleroi Airport
Bruxelles-Central
Bruxelles-Midi
Bruxelles-Nord
Duden Parc Brussels
Egmont Palace
Eindhoven Airport
Eindhoven Airport
Eindhoven Airport
Etterbeek
European Parliament
European Parliament
European Quarter
European Quarter
European Quarter
Evere
Ganshoren
Grand Place
Grand Place
Guild Houses
Ixelles
le Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie
Lesquin Airport
Lesquin Airport
Liège Airport
Liège Airport
Liège Airport
Manneken Pis
Mannekin Pis
Metro Station
Mont des Arts
Palais des Congres
Quartier Louise
Royal galleries of Saint Hubertus
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
Royal Palace of Brussels
Royal Palace of Brussels
Royal Square
Rue Neuve
Sablon Church
Sablon District
Sablon Square
Saint-Nicolas Church
Schaerbeek
Sint-Gillis
Sint-Joost-ten-Node
St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral
The King's house
Town Hall
Town Hall
Uccle
Vismêt
Waterloo
Watermaal-Bosvoorde
Woluwe-Saint-Lambert