
The Grand Place

by Pablo Lopez
Title
The Grand Place
Artist
Pablo Lopez
Medium
Photograph - Digital Image
Description
The Grand Place (Grand Square) or Grote Markt is the central square of Brussels. It is surrounded by opulent guildhalls and two larger edifices, the city's Town Hall, and the King's House or Breadhouse building containing the Museum of the City of Brussels.
The square is the most memorable landmark in Brussels. It is also considered as one of the most beautiful squares in Europe and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
On 13 August 1695, the bombardment of Brussels set the Grand Place on fire and flattened the majority of it and the surrounding city. Only the stone shell of the town hall and a few fragments of other buildings remained standing. That the town hall survived at all is ironic, as it was the principal target of the artillery fire.
The square was rebuilt in the following four years by the city's guilds. Their efforts were regulated by the city councillors and the Governor of Brussels, who required that their plans be submitted to the authorities for their approval. This helped to deliver a remarkably harmonious layout for the rebuilt Grand Place, despite the ostensibly clashing combination of Gothic, Baroque and Louis XIV styles.
By the late 19th century, a sensitivity arose about the heritage value of the buildings. Under the impulse of mayor Charles Buls, the Brussels' authorities had the Grand Place returned to its former splendour, with buildings being reconstructed or restored.
Uploaded
February 3rd, 2019
Embed
Share