Cities
Belgium Brussels Central Brussels Square

Place Royale

Place Royale
About

Place Royale, or Koningsplein, is a stately neoclassical square at the heart of Brussels’ Royal Quarter, steeped in history and architectural harmony. Built between 1775 and 1782 on the ruins of the former Coudenberg Palace, it was designed by Jean-Benoît-Vincent Barré and Gilles-Barnabé Guimard as part of a grand urban renewal project. The square’s symmetrical layout and uniform façades reflect Enlightenment ideals of order and civic pride. At its centre stands an equestrian statue of Godfrey of Bouillon, a medieval crusader and national hero. Framed by cultural landmarks such as the Church of St. James on Coudenberg, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, and the BELvue Museum, Place Royale serves as a gateway to Brussels’ historical and artistic core. Its cobbled expanse and surrounding institutions make it a focal point for both reflection and exploration. Whether admired for its classical elegance or its layered past, Place Royale remains a defining space in the city’s urban and cultural landscape.

Brussels Belgium
Location

Place Royale, or Koningsplein, is a grand neoclassical square situated in the Royal Quarter at Place Royale 1000 Brussels, right in the historic heart of the city. Built between 1775 and 1782 on the site of the former Palace of Coudenberg, the square is distinguished by its elegant symmetry, stately architecture, and the striking equestrian statue of Godfrey of Bouillon at its center. Flanked by the Church of St. James on Coudenberg, Place Royale is surrounded by some of Brussels’ most prestigious museums, including the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, the Magritte Museum, the BELvue Museum, and the Musical Instruments Museum, all within a short stroll. The remains of the Coudenberg Palace can also be explored beneath the square. Just steps away are the Royal Palace, Brussels Park, the Mont des Arts cultural district, and the city’s main cathedral, making Place Royale an ideal starting point for discovering Brussels’ rich heritage and vibrant cultural scene.

Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium Brussels Magritte Museum Magritte Museum Brussels Belgian Comic Strip Center Belgian Comic Strip Center Brussels Musical Instruments Museum Musical Instruments Museum Brussels Autoworld Autoworld Brussels BELvue Museum BELvue Museum Brussels Train World Train World Brussels Museum of the City of Brussels Museum of the City of Brussels Brussels Brouwerij Cantillon Brouwerij Cantillon Brussels Royal Palace of Brussels Royal Palace of Brussels Brussels Palace of the Nation Palace of the Nation Brussels Castle of Laeken Castle of Laeken Brussels La Monnaie La Monnaie Brussels Théâtre Royal du Parc Théâtre Royal du Parc Brussels Royal Flemish Theatre Royal Flemish Theatre Brussels Palais du Coudenberg Palais du Coudenberg Brussels Parc de Bruxelles Parc de Bruxelles Brussels Parc du Cinquantenaire Parc du Cinquantenaire Brussels Bois de la Cambre Bois de la Cambre Brussels Botanical Garden of Brussels Botanical Garden of Brussels Brussels Mont des Arts Garden Mont des Arts Garden Brussels Grand Place Grand Place Brussels Atomium Atomium Brussels Manneken Pis Manneken Pis Brussels Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral Brussels Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert Brussels Statue of Everard t'Serclaes Statue of Everard t'Serclaes Brussels Brussels Town Hall Brussels Town Hall Brussels

User attributes