Brussels, Belgium2-3 hoursMorning
Grand Place
Grand Place is one of the notable stops in Brussels, with a route-friendly location for your trip.
Quick facts
- Architectural style
- baroque architecture
- Length
- 110 m
- Area
- 1.5 hectares
- Elevation
- 30 m
- Heritage status
- World Heritage Site
Facts from Wikidata, photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Did you know?
Why do all the buildings on the square date from the same period?
A French bombardment in 1695 destroyed almost the entire square. The guild houses were rebuilt within four years, and the square's remarkably unified Baroque look is the result of that rapid, collective reconstruction.
When is the flower carpet laid out?
In even-numbered years, for just four days in mid-August. Close to a million begonias are laid by hand to form a pattern of about 1,800 m².
Why is the town hall asymmetrical?
The tower is off-centre and the two wings have different window rhythms, because the building was extended in two phases. The story that the architect leapt from the tower on noticing is a later invention.
Why go?
- Easy to add to your route
- Good photo stop
- Popular local highlight
