The central square of Brussels, The Grand-Place

The central square of Brussels, The Grand-Place, the Grote Markt, recorded in 1998 on the list of UNESCO World Heritage site, is a great place, full of history, but also of life. Over the centuries, the market saw turnirurilor, of burnt offerings at the stake of some Protestants, the decapitării of others, political meetings, to riot, suffered extensive destruction by bombing, or by fire, but each time he survives, showing we are today at a venerable age (9th century), more beautiful than ever.

The square is rectangular with sides oriented approximately on big direction NW-SE. From every corner starts one block from corner, where I joined us, Rue au Beurre (Butter Street), in the western corner, Rue de la Tête d'Or (Golden Head Street), the eastern corner, Rue de la Colline (the Hill of the Street) and the south cornerRue des Chapeliers, (Pălărierilor Street). Perpendicular to the sea from South-West, enters the second half of her, Rue Charles Buls. Perpendicular to the sea from the North-East, entering the big square two streets, Rue de Chair et Pain (Meat and bread Street), to the northern corner of the Rue des Harengs (herring taken Street), to the eastern corner.  The most important buildings in the market are L ' Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall) and at the Maison du Roi (the King's House).

L ' Hôtel de Ville, is located on the southwest side, between the Rue de la Tête d'Or and Rue Charles Buls. Built între1402-1455 is the only building remaining in the market, from the middle ages. Gothic Tower has a height of 96 m and bears atop the statue of Archangel Michel (Michael), the patron saint of Brussels, slaying the Dragon.  The building is asymmetrical, being placed in the middle of the tower and, in addition, the two sides are not the same. A legend says that the architect of the building was hurled from the top of the Tower, realizing the mistake committed. In reality, the asymmetry is due to the fact that the two sides were built separately.

Here I make a parenthesis, to tell you that I learned the things you tell us, pasting a group of French tourists and listening to what they say Guide. The method is good if you are on your own and you do not have a guideline (or speaker). We applied this method many times, you recommend warmly.  La Maison du Roi (the King's House) is located between Rue de Chair et Pain and Rue des Harengs. Destroyed several times, was built in its current form in 1873, in neo-Gothic style. Currently, there is the Museum of Brussels.

In addition to these two splendid buildings, there are also other, equally beautiful, that round out and close the market.  Let's walk through the market, sense] counter clockwise.  Between Rue de la Tête d'Or and Rue au Beurre (northwest side) there are six buildings, glued to one another, concurându between them for beauty: Le Renard (Fox), postăvarilor Guild House dates from the 15th century and has the top statue of Saint Nicolas, patron of the postăvarilor Le Cornet (Cornetul), the seamen's Guild into one House, dating from the 15th century, La Louve (she-Wolf)oath, the house built in 1690 the archers, has a bas-relief façade, depicting Romulus and Remus, the breast-feeding of lupoaică (the legend of Rome) You bag (the bag), carpenters Guild House, with its façade decorated with carpentry tools, dating from the 15th century to the Brouette (Maid), craft sellers fat House, dating from the 15th century, is decorated with the statue of St. Gilles.

Between Rue Charles Buls and Rue des Chapeliers (aligned with the Mayor's Office): Le Mont Thabor (Mount Thabor) is a private house in the 17th century at the Rose (the rose), is a private house, since the beginning of the 18th century l'arbre d'Or (the Golden Tree), craft beer, House currently houses the Musée de la Brasserie (brewery Museum). Dates from 1696. On the roof is the equestrian statue of Charles-Alexandre de Lorraine Le Cygne (the Swan), butchers Guild House L ' Étoile (the star), Amman, head of House district in the Duchy of Brabant between the Rue des Chapeliers and Rue de la Colline (Southeast):

• Alsemberg, private house, dating from 1699
• Maison des Ducs de Brabant (House of the Dukes of Brabant), ensemble of seven separate houses, having a common front, which are 19 busts of the Dukes of Brabant.
• La Renommée, l'ermitage, at Fortune,
• Le Moulin à vent-Guild House platter, You Can d ' étain-Guild House carpenters and caretaşilor,
• La Colline-sculptors Guild, house builders and cioplitorilor in stone,
• La Bourse.

Between Rue de Chair et Rue au Beurre and Pain: Le Heaume (Helmet cavalry) Cavalry House Le Paon (the Peacock) Le Samaritain, or Le Petit Renard (Singh, or Small Fox) and Oak, two houses dating from 1696 Sainte-Barbe, private house, built in 1696 L ' Ane, private house. Thus giving the detour to mention market here that many of the houses on the sides of the square are ornamented with numerous poems in Latin, by Petrus van der Borcht (1676-1739).

If you arrive there, book your time to enjoy his leisure-all the buildings on the Market.  One last caveat: in the corner of the Rue de la Tête d'Or, is a tourist information Office, where you can find interesting materials, you can ask for information and you can even book a place to stay.