The Grand-Place, Belgium

The Grand-Place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This place was a muddy sand-bank between 2 brooks before any house was built. That is where Brussels got its name - "broek sella". The sand-bank was turned into a lower market which sold English and French textiles, French wines and German beer. Wooden houses were built around the market in the middle ages and by 14th century, wealthy families started building stone mansions which led to the market developing (into the main commercial administrative centre).

The Grand-Place

Nowadays a daily flower market is held from March to October usually accompanied with light shows and concerts. Every two years (the next event will take place on the 13th-16th of August 2020) the Grand-Place is decorated with 750 000 begonias creating a 300 square meter flower carpet.

The town hall. We saw a bride and groom on the balcony and were thinking which royalties they are, but they were just "normal" people who had to pay a lot to get there

The town hall was completed in 1420 and quickly became a political centre. The royalty and emperors were received in the square but also executions were held there.

Brussels City Museum

Across the Grand-Place is the Brussels City Museum which is dedicated to the history of the city where you can see 750 Manneken-Pis costumes. Its French name is Maison du Roi which translates as The Kings House even though no royalty has ever lived there. Another name of it is The Bread House due to the many centuries that the city’s bread market was held here. Now, the building is home to a museum focusing on the history of the city of Brussels.

Visit the square during different times of the day to get the full experience