Brussels Grand Place Guild Building. Thread Ariadna: Travel Guide ~ Belgium ~ Brussels ~ Gran Plas

The famous Grand Place Square in Brussels, where and how to get there. Town Hall, Royal House and other famous houses for Grand Place.

Grand Place Square, located in the center, deserves the title of the most beautiful and elegant square in Europe. This is true not only because the entire heading is devoted entirely to its attractions, so still Napoleon said when first turned out to be in the center of Grand Place.

Yes, and today, who had seen a lot of travelers agree that the buildings surrounding the square from all sides with a smooth square, as if sharpened from the stone with a hundred-sighted masters. UNESCO, in turn, included the Grand Place ensemble and openwork facades in the list of world cultural heritage.

Brussels sightseeing tours

Not a single sightseeing walk in Brussels do without visiting the Central Square of Grand Place. If you order one of, we recommend hinting a guide that you do not mind see the collection of the "Pissing Boy" costumes, which is located in the museum of the city.

More democratic group excursions - as an option - do not imply personal preferences, but the overall view of the Grand Place and its attractions are still given.

Famous houses and sights

The legend, telling about the emergence of the Grand Place Square: "Once, the King of Louis XIV, tired of the stories about the beauty and splendor of Brussels, decided to personally visit this city. What was his surprise when he discovered that Brussels really much more beautifully! In the rustling of anger, the king ordered the city to destroy the city, throwing it by burning fugas. But the Belgians people are stubborn: rich merchants and artisans did not regret the funds and rebuilt a new one, even more beautiful central Square».

Thus, Grand Place is the only medieval area in Europe, the architectural project of which was carefully thought out.

Two generators of the Brussels Grand Place of the element - the Gothic Town Hall and again rebuilt from 1873 to 1896. The royal house. Without the exception of the house, belonging to various guilds, appeared after 1695. Some kind of narrow them were - their architect did not refuse a lush baroque decor. On the eastern side of Grand Plas, the so-called house of the Brabant Dukes is located. Six guild houses are hidden behind its facade. On the left is all the same royal house built in the spirit of historicism and the style of purely Fradon Late Gothic.

Now consider each of the attractions of Brussels, located on the perimeter of Grand Place, or the "large market", as it is also called.

1. Guild Houses for Grand Place

Houses in which artisans and merchants who belonged to various professional guilds still stand here exactly in a row: the house of Malar, the house of the tailor, the house of the butcher and the boat house. The guides are recommended to pay attention to the first line (it is desirable to be able to distinguish one from the other), even before you are blinding the house of the king (he is the "Royal House") and the City Hall.

2. Town Hall for Grand Place

The first in Flanders to build a large town hall was the residents of Bruges. The construction in the style of French Cafed Gothic was expected to envy from the Brussels who were on the economic rise. So, in 1402, the "competitive" construction was started at Grand Plas, which, according to the architects, should surpass in the magnitude and magnificence of the Bruges analogue. It was originally embodied the same "awesome" project, as in Brugge, but the floor is higher. However, in 1426, when the government was expelled from the Aristocrats from Brussels, it was decided to complete the tower, and the right wing of the Town Hall.

So symbolically, the townspeople demonstrated that from now on "taken in hand" and the power, and the fate of the native city. Only three decades later, the magnificent town hall on the future Grand Place Square was ready.

It is believed that from the building wearing the name today Hotel de Ville., Further building has begun. The construction is a cathedral with a spire that goes somewhere into the sky: the total height of it is 96 meters. The spire is crowned with a five-meter copper fluger depicting Archangel Mikhail. The facade was decorated relatively recently - in the last century - in the peak of the popularity of the Baroque style and the abundance of statues on the facade.

As he thought, the Town Hall in the capital of Belgium surpassed a similar structure in Brugge in all indicators: it is richer decorated and noticeably higher.

3. Royal House for Grand Place

"Royal House" is a huge palace, which is the city museum of the city (The Brussels City Museum). There is an exhibition that tells about the history of Brussels, starting from the first days of the foundation. May be interested in the collection of works of medieval artisans, historical documents and archaeological exhibits.

The building with an intricate architecture, as if woven from a stone like lace, arose for Grand Place on the spot located here "Bread House", in which baked and sold bread. In the late XVII - early XVIII centuries. The royal house was completely reconstructed. By the way, contrary to the title, none of the kings ever lived there.

Working hours THE BRUSSELS CITY MUSEUM: daily from 10-00 to 17-00, except Monday and festive days. Login paid and inclusions single ticket To visit the three expositions - historical and archaeological exposition, the Museum of Lace and the wardrobe "Pissing Boy". Ticket price: for adults - € 8, for students and pensioners - € 6, children under 18 - free.

Flower Festival on Grand Place Square

Grand Place in the flowering "carpet" from begonia

Once every two years, a fragrant carpet from multi-colored begonia blooms at Grand Place. This is a global festival, everyone is preparing for him in advance. Tourists book hotels in the middle of August (dates "swim" from year to year, but you can navigate on the 15th day) to "stroke" the number on an adequate price, and the Belgians under Ghetom are carefully growing "floral material", which will fill The entire central square, leaving not too spacious pedestrian walkways around the perimeter.

The width of the flower carpet on the Grand Place reaches 75-80 m in length and 25 width. It lasts this flower splendor - 3 days. And in order to make the most beautiful photos, you need to rise to looking platform Town Hall.

Where to stay in Grand Place

Grand Place - the most desirable place in Brussels for life and inspection interesting places. Do not be afraid that in the vicinity of only expensive five star hotels. Hotels at a democratic price - of course, on European standards - also have:

1.

Address: Grand Place 15, Brussels, Belgium

The mini-hotel address speaks for himself: Grand Place 15. For the dates of the flower festival, the rooms are bought out for the year and a half. The rest of the time to book a place is quite real, if you dream to settle in the "thicker of events" and in a historic building. Tip: To achieve the very kind on Grand Place, the room needs to be booked on the side of the square, as the rooms come out on the "back".

2. Warwick Brussels - Grand Place

Address: Rue Duquesnoy 5, Brussels, Belgium

A five-star hotel in a historic building with classic style rooms. Guests point out a convenient location (3 minutes from Grand Place and other attractions as well as railway Station), professionalism professionalism and delicious varied breakfast. The cost is even cheaper than the Résidence Le Quinze Grand Place Brussels overlooking the area.

3. B & B VAUDEVILLE

Address: Galerie De La Reine 15, Brussels, Belgium

Hotels in Grand Place: B & B Vaudeville

Bed / breakfast accommodation at Galerie De La Reine 15 (this is 5 minutes walk to Grand Place, closer to sculpture). A stylish modern hotel, where each of the rooms is made in an individual design. The rooms are spacious, with huge beds (on mattresses and underwear clearly did not save) and baths.

Where to eat on Grand Place - Cafes and Restaurants

Admire architectural ensemble Square is most convenient from the cafe nearby. Prices there are not cheap, but acceptable for one-time action. More precisely - pan-European. But more important is the view from the window, which opens from each restaurant. I know three cafes where you can drink coffee and snack:

La Chaloupe d'OR - Sobotor restaurant at Grand Place 24-25. Mix of Belgian, French and pan-European cuisine with a beautiful view of Grand Place Square. You can fully dine (a large selection of first, second dishes, snacks) and drink a glass of wine.
Beer Tasting Experience - For € 16, there is an express tour of the local brewing: they tell how the hearts conquers, how and with what to use it properly. In order not to be bored in the process, 5 varieties of foam drink are served - from the classics to the most original tastes (all in price). Located on the first floor of the Town Hall.
El Greco. - Fans of healthy nutrition and Mediterranean cuisine are difficult to be in Belgium, where the grilled potatoes, bifhtexes and beer liters. At Grand Place 36 you will find a pleasant restaurant of Greek cuisine.

EVERARD 'T SERCLAES - place of execution of desires

There is another one signal place On an area that is easy to skip if you do not know about its existence. This sculpture is a brave Knight Everrard 'T Serclaes, who freed the Brussels from the invaders. Bronze monument resting in one of the arched walls of Grand Place, at the crossroads of Square and the street Charles Bul, on the way to mannequin-writing - today fulfills wishes.

Like this knight or not, but tourists rushed to him so that the hands and chest should be lost and someday return to the capital of Belgium.

Plus, the part of the body of the EVERARD 'T Serclaes passed to the golden glitter.

How to get to Grand Place Square

Not far from Grand Place is the Central Station / Brouckère Metro Station: 1-5. If you are going to go by bus, then you need Nos. 48 or 95. The train can be reached directly to the Central Station - railway station 10 minutes.

Prices and description
- addresses, programs, dates
- How to get

To visit Brussels and not to see the Gran Place (Market Square, or Grote Markt on Flemish Language) - it means to miss one of the most important places in the city. No wonder this area is introduced into the UNESCO World List as an object with world cultural and historical meaning, and Viktor Hugo expressed the view that it was one of beautiful seats in Europe.

The most interesting buildings of the square are customary to the Town Hall and the Royal, or Bread House. These are the most ancient buildings, preserved after shelling Square in August 1695 by the forsages of the French.

A bit of history:

Even at the beginning of the 12th century, there were swamps, which then dried. Once there was an expanded section of the shepherd road, on which live cattle was chasing. In subsequent years, the area was a place knight's tournaments For Burgundy nobility.

2.
Royal House on Grand Place Square

In the 13th century, the building of the Bread House, which served as a warehouse for products appeared. It is still called in Netherlands, and in French is a royal house. At the end of the 19th century, the house was updated in the spirit of a luxury baroque of the 16th century. Now the building is occupied by the city museum. In one of his halls, 350 vintage costumes were collected, as well as 517 outfits for the "Pissing Boy" are stored here.

The town hall was erected during the heyday Gothic (91-meter Tower 1402-1455 years, side parts up to 1480). On the spiers of the town hall tower is a 5-meter copper fluger, depicting how Archangel Mikhail tramples dark forces.

The statues on the facade were destroyed, and in the 20th century they were restored according to the preserved images. The inner decoration of the Town Hall is interesting for picturesque canvases and wall carpets of local work. The courtyard is decorated with fountains depicting Maas and Shelda - the most important rivers.

After the Belgian-French war, the end of the 17th century, the traders of rich guilds quickly rebuilt the house around the square.

33 new buildings in the trendy then pseudo-gas and baroque style, in a combination with the Gothic Township largely formed a modern look of the square.

3.
View of Square

In even years, since 1986, on August 15-18, a flower carpet from the begonias of different varieties is created on the market square. It turns out a drawing with a size of 24m x 77m, the area of \u200b\u200bwhich is about 1.8 thousand square meters. The crowds of beauty lovers tend these days to Brussels.

A floral market is working on the Gran Place every morning, and a bird market is also on Sundays.

In a lane, next to the square for a reliable fence there is a small figure of the "Pissing boy", the informal symbol of Brussels and the most famous Belgian monument. The first version of the statue appeared in the 14th century, but he, unfortunately, was not preserved.

Drawings on asphalt after the terrorist attack in March 2016:

March 22 in Brussels there was a series of terrorist attacks in the subway and the airport with human victims. After the terrorist attacks, residents of the city left many drawings in the vicinity of the Grand Plas Square in memory of this event with messages to peace, love and solidarity:

August 2nd, 2016

Immediately after, which I gave the most uninteresting attraction of Brussels, I decided to go in my stories to Grand Place - the place that was my beloved in the capital of Belgium, so that there are Belgium, perhaps, this is one of the most beautiful areas in all of Europe. I often in the reports of other tourists noted indulgent and sometimes critical attitude towards Brussels, but in my opinion, even one Grand Place justifies visiting this city.

The emergence of Grand Place in its modern form we owe the king-sun. One of the episodes of the nine-year-old war was the siege of Brussels. In the bombardment of the city by the French in 1695, hundreds of buildings were destroyed, including the Grand Place was almost completely destroyed, only the town hall was survived. But already in a few years later, the area was restored. More precisely, she was built up for a new single plan, all the buildings of the guilds were erected in the popular style of the Flemish Baroque.

I am a famous potato, without a map at the beginning of the story I feel like the Pisa Tower without a foundation. Therefore, I will lay down the location of buildings on the square and then I will use the numbering from this Grand Place card.

I will start with the most impressive structure on Grand Place Square - Town Hall.. The Gothic Town Hall was erected in the 15th century. This is the only one who survived the building on Grand Place. I was very happy when I learned that the Town Hall Building Real (well, almost), and not built in the 19th century imitation of gothic, as, say in or Vienna.

This photo shows that the building is asymmetrically. According to the legend, the architect who discovered asymmetry after the completion of construction, in despair jumped from the tower on the bridge. Not really. Initially, only the left part (10 windows) was built, then the shorter (7 windows) of the building was completed to it.

The rich sculptural decor of the facade of the Town Hall is already the 19th century. Here you can meet the images of many saints, the dukes of Brabant, riders, Gorguli, the heroes of various legends. The statue of the Patron of Brussels Archangel Mikhail, who wins the Soton of the Dragon rises on the tower spiel.

According to legend, Saint Michael Archangel saved from the death of the son of Lambert II Graph Leena. True, I don't know what kind of Henry and Rainier, according to Vicky, Lambert had two sons. In my brief overcast, the story is as follows. The heir of the graph fell in love with a girl. The girl was undoubtedly worthy, but the son of the column in his wife was not suitable because of lower origin. In addition, the young man himself did not like her. Then he occurred a brilliant thought - to kidnap the maiden. But his plan failed and the heir was jailed and they were going to execute soon. There was a change in the female heart, the girl changed his mind about the fan of the victim because of her and went to jail. After a date, she began to pray to God to save the Son of the graph and, as it turned out, quite successfully. God was touched by prayers and sent Archangel Mikhail to make a young man's escape from prison. Further young lovers, I hope, got married, as it should be in legends. And in gratitude for the wonderful salvation, the count announced Archangel Michael to the holy patron of the city.

I can not tell you what events are displayed on this console. But if you are on the square, then try to find on one of the consoles over the lion's porch legend about Judge Herkenbalde. The judge captured his own nephew for rape of a certain maiden. And the scene of the murder, and the scene of the loss of honor is colorfully, if you can put it on the sculpture, depicted in stone.

The picture borrowed. By the way, a very interesting magazine about Brussels, I recommend. And the console itself is located at this lion in the picture below, under which two girls are sitting, smoking jamb for two (yes, on main Square, This is Amsterdam Brussels).

In the town hall, you can only get along with the excursion, they are not so often passing, I think the schedule will find on the Internet. I personally decided to skip this event. All, another photo of the lion's porch of the Town Hall and finishing on it.

Go to the next building for the Grand Pla House of Dukes Brabantsky (13-17). No dukes here lived here, but the facade decorate their busts, as many as 19 pieces, - hence the name. In fact, this is not one house, but as many as seven, united under the same roof. Over the door is installed a guild symbol that belonged to the house. From these images and the names of houses occur. I am not a lover to shoot the details, so you can, when you will find images yourself (from the right edge): Glory (13), Heritage (14), Good luck (15), Mills (16), Pot (17), Hill (16) 18) and stock exchanges (19).

Every even year in August, Grand Plas is covered with a carpet of color. Look in the journal of my Franc:
http://platpaul.livejournal.com/310394.html.
We missed this spectacle, because were 2015, i.e. odd. But still a little flowerfish on the square caught. Sold out the remains of last year's carpet?

Go to the next side of the area, perhaps the most picturesque. Let's start with the right edge. The widespread building belonged to the Guild of Bowls. Called it King Spanish (1), on the facade between the second and third floors, Karl II bust, King of Spain installed. The roof of the house of the Spanish king is crowned with a fluger with Mercury. On the first floor there is the most famous café of Grand Place Square, which is also called "King Spanish", at a minimum, I recommend going and drink beer.

The next building with a funny name " Truck"(2) belonged to the guild by the oil trader (or fat? Translator from French from me so-so).

Building " A bag"(3) owned vehicle guilders.

"Wolf."(4) referred to the archery guild. The fronton (triangular garbage under the roof) decorates the bas-relief of Apollo, piercing the arrows (immediately the archery guild is how-no) Python. Cick-Khe, Travel-bloggers, who I read it, it's no one Snake, and the most real dragon. The ponyph guarded the entrance to the Delphian privilet, and he himself could do, from his behalf of Pythia (the matrix I think everyone watched). Under Pyfhon and Apollo there are four medallions with Roman emperors: Trian, Tiberius , August and Julia Caesar. Go to the floor below and see four statues - Allegoria Truth, Lie, Peace and Discharge. Over the door - image of the Capitol Wolf, who gave birth to the house. Warld the roof of the Phoenix statue - the symbol of the revival of Grand Place and Brussels after wars and destruction.

"Horn"(5) the only house for appearance Which one can determine which guild it belongs. Look at the last floor. Guess? That's right, it's the feed of the ship! And therefore, the guild of boatmen settled here. On the floor below, the facade is decorated with tritons statues and sea horses. Above the entrance to the building shows a postal horn.

And, completes the side of the guild houses " Fox"(6). Here was the center of guild guiladers. As you already understood, a gold-plated fox figure is installed above the door. Just do not ask what foxes have a haberdashery. However, it applies to other guilds. The first floor support Atlanta. On the second The facade decorate the statues depicting four continents: Europe, Asia, Achnika and America, in the center - Statue of Justice. The third supports the Caryatids, and the statue of St. Nicholas is installed on the roof, the patron saint of these merchants (now on the restoration).

You will surprise, but when I walk around the city, then I will take care of everything, as I will then describe my walk in the journal. Whether I am a normal blogger, I, of course, would like every detail of the guild houses, about which I wrote above so that the story would be better illustrated. But this time I still captured something. I hope, in this form, the details of the lush decor will be a little better to consider. In the picture below the house "Bag" (with the Caryatids, i.e. semi-column in the form of auple) and "Trolley".

Statues of continents on the facade "Fox". In the center - justice with a giant sword. Atlants that support the balcony are also good.

Allegorical statues on the facade of "Wolf". On the right with sagging tits - the troubled, then with the scroll (why?) - The world, not true, aims in tourists in some kind of stone, and the extreme left really keeps the book (but does not read it clearly), at the same time, the least Fast four.

At night on the Grand Plas, the elegant backlight, I came here almost every evening in Brussels the benefit of Grand Place is located on the way from our hotel to the famous Delllirium.

The beauty is incredible, I think.

I was in Brussels four evenings (returning from trips around the neighborhood) and one full day, and every time I went to the Grand Place, so do not be surprised by the number of identical pictures at different times of the day.

The next side is five more houses. On right " Star"(8) - one of the most narrow houses of Grand Place. Its roof is decorated with a golden six-pointed star. On the first floor there is a gallery in which the lying (then laid, probably a monument to Everrard T" Serclaes. Just below I will write about it in more detail.

"Swan"(9) - most high building On this side. A rather contrasting building, the first floors are very strict, then the higher, the more the fantasy of the architect. In fact, a house was built in several stages, in the 18th century he bought him a rich guild of butchers and apparently decided to tune the building under his meaty taste. In the "Swan" Karl Marx, who has lived in Brussels for five years, celebrated the new 1848th year. In some reports on Grand Place, I met the statement that he lived here and even wrote his "capital" here, but it is not.

"Golden tree"(10) - the most magnificent and useful house of the five. Why useful? Yes, because this is the house of the guild of brewers! The roof is decorated with the statue of Charles Alexander Lotarian governor of the Netherlands. As the governor deserved the good glory to the wise and mild government. As a person was strict, but Not angry and leaving. Lover to live and a subtle connoisseur and lover of art. He patronized well-known musicians. What apparently, and earned a gold statue.

"rose flower"(11) and" Mountain Tabor"(12) Not allocated for nothing, but also pleasant.

Let's take a little closer to consider the roof "Swan" and "Golden Tree". On the roof "Swan" have three angels, under the central inscription "This house built wool." I am not quite, confessing, I figured out where the butchers had, whose guild belonged to "Swan", got wool, it seems like waste production.

The lights and lights began to burn lights. And, despite, at some reason, the building began to look comfortable and keen.

Gallery at home "Star". See on the left of the pictures of the Japanese? And a little bit behind them is monument Everard T "Serclaes. This resident of Brussels in the 14th century was headed by the liberation of the city from the plaminists occupied by his. The monument is located on the spot where there was a house in which Everrard died. The statue of the dying knight is made in the style of Italian Renaissance than in due time I indignant some critics, allegedly this anachronism, because the hero of Brussels lived in the times of Gothic, so the monument should have been made gothic.

Also on the monument depicted three scenes from the history of Brussels. It's funny that, at a minimum, in three places the author of the monument beat the nickname of Brussels as " eaters Kuritz"(Well, they loved the inhabitants of the city to use this bird in the finished form before): a woman drags a cart with a poultry, the cook holds a chicken, a mug with the inscription" Curishes "in his hands.

Tradition demands from tourists to rub his arm, knee or dog at the foot of the knight, at the same time it is necessary to make a desire that must be fulfilled. Allegedly, this custom originated during the occupation of Brussels by the Germans during the First World War, so residents of the city demonstrated their patriotism (hmm).

The famous Grand Place Square in Brussels, where and how to get there. Town Hall, Royal House and other famous houses for Grand Place.

Brussels sightseeing tours

More democratic group excursions - as an option - do not imply personal preferences, but the overall view of the Grand Place and its attractions are still given.

Famous houses and sights

The legend, telling about the emergence of the Grand Place Square: "Once, the King of Louis XIV, tired of the stories about the beauty and splendor of Brussels, decided to personally visit this city. What was his surprise when he discovered that Brussels really much more beautifully! In the rustling of anger, the king ordered the city to destroy the city, throwing it by burning fugas. But the Belgians are stubborn: rich merchants and artisans did not regret their funds and rebuilt a new, even more beautiful central square. "

Thus, Grand Place is the only medieval area in Europe, the architectural project of which was carefully thought out.

Now consider each of the attractions of Brussels, located on the perimeter of Grand Place, or the "large market", as it is also called.