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Brussels Town Hall

Brussels Town Hall
About

Dominating the south side of the Grand Place, the Brussels Town Hall is a Gothic masterpiece and the only surviving medieval building on the square. Constructed between 1401 and 1455, it served as the seat of municipal power and remains a symbol of civic pride. Its soaring 96-metre tower, crowned by a statue of Saint Michael slaying a demon, is a defining feature of the city’s skyline. The building’s richly decorated façade showcases intricate stone carvings and heraldic symbols, while the interior reveals grand halls such as the Gothic Room and the Wedding Hall, adorned with tapestries and frescoes. Despite suffering damage during the 1695 bombardment of Brussels, the Town Hall was meticulously restored and continues to host official ceremonies and guided tours. Recognised as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it stands not only as an architectural gem but also as a living monument to Brussels’ political and artistic legacy—a place where history, governance, and grandeur converge.

Brussels Belgium
Location

Brussels Town Hall, or Hôtel de Ville, stands proudly on the south side of the Grand Place (Grote Markt), the city’s renowned UNESCO World Heritage central square. This Gothic masterpiece, built between 1401 and 1455, is the only medieval building remaining on the Grand Place and is instantly recognizable by its soaring spire topped with a statue of Saint Michael, Brussels’ patron saint. The Town Hall is surrounded by the opulent Baroque guildhalls that encircle the Grand Place, as well as the neo-Gothic King's House (Maison du Roi/Broodhuis), which houses the Brussels City Museum. In the immediate vicinity, visitors can explore the vibrant streets filled with cafés, chocolatiers, and shops, as well as other iconic attractions such as the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Manneken Pis, and the Bourse. The Grand Place itself is the focal point for many of Brussels’ cultural events, including the biennial Flower Carpet and festive Christmas markets, making the Town Hall an essential landmark at the heart of the city’s historic and cultural life.

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 Place Royale Place Royale Brussels Statue of Everard t'Serclaes Statue of Everard t'Serclaes Brussels

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