Brussel - Grote Markt
Bruxelles - Grand Place
The "Grote Markt" or "Grand Place" is one of the
most beautiful squares of Europe and the main tourist attraction of
Brussels.
From the 14th century on rich patrician families and guilds built
stone houses that replaced the modest wooden houses. The market turned
into the main commercial and political centre of the city. The town
hall (statue on the left of the photo) was built from 1402 till 1455.
On August the 13th 1695 the square was bombed to ruins by order of
Louis XIV of France (a revenge for of a lost battle in Namur.
Between 1695 and 1700 the guilds rebuilt all the houses. Also the
destroyed town hall was rebuilt.
Karel Buls, mayor of Brussels ordered that the houses of the Grote
Markt had to be preserved in their original style.
destinatio (very busy), Zita Kamugira, londonconstant, Nfinity00, and 20 other people added this photo to their favorites.
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Kurt Modler 61 months ago | reply
great...
HappyTellus 57 months ago | reply
We used this excellent photo in our travel destination description of Brussels at www.happytellus.com/brussels/belgium.
ms.wakame 56 months ago | reply
Beautifully done!
zadkineS 41 months ago | reply
Gran ciudad Bruselas y bonita foto.