- Address: Grand Place, Brussels, Belgium
- Ground: XIII century
- Cost of visiting: 4 euros
The central square of the Belgian capital is famous not only for the giant carpet of begonias covering its paving stone, but also for its ancient architecture. One of the two most notable buildings of the Grand Place in Brussels is the King's House - a Gothic building, from a distance attracting the views of tourists.
History and architecture of the palace
The King's house, like any ancient structure, has a rich history. In the first years after the construction, it was used as a bakery warehouse, due to what became known as the "Bread House", which is still in use today. Subsequently, the castle existed as a prison, a tax office (during the Duke of Brabant) and even a dwelling house of a ducal family.
So why is the building called the House of the King? Sometimes this causes a lot of confusion, because in Brussels there is also the Royal Palace - the official residence of the ruling dynasty, while the King's House actually has nothing to do with the Belgian monarchs. It is believed that he was called so thanks to the truly royal privileges enjoyed by foreign governors-general who ruled the country. It was at a time when the French, led by Napoleon, conquered Brussels, bringing a lot of destruction. By the way, this version of the name, like the King's House, is available only in French, whereas in the Belgian this building is called just Broodhuis (Bread House).
More than once the building of the King's House in Brussels was reconstructed. The building has found the kind that appears to the eye of the tourist today, only in the XIX century. Although the style of the structure is defined as Gothic, its unusual lace suggests a more ancient origin. And indeed - with the last reconstruction of the King's House, drawings were used as far back as 1515. The author of the architectural project was Victor Jamaer. Spacious galleries, openwork turrets and numerous columns in combination with the lace sculpture of the King's House are an example of unsurpassed architectural architecture, the only one of its kind.
What is interesting about the King's House for a modern tourist?
Today the building of the Bread House is an urban museum. Being a guest of Brussels , you can not only admire the impressive appearance of the structure, but also to be inside. There are several exhibitions devoted to the history of the city. In the museum of the King's House you will see old tapestries, a large collection of maps and city plans, as well as quite modern installations of reconstructions of the historical part of Brussels.
And also this museum is the place where a huge collection of costumes of the famous "Manneken Pis" is stored. As is known, many international guests and delegations bring to the city specially made clothes for this "national hero" of Belgium during their visits to Brussels.
How to get to the King's House in Brussels?
This landmark - one of the central in the Belgian capital - is in the heart of the historic part of Brussels, on the Grand Place. The building of the King's House is difficult to confuse with anything, so colorful it looks and is. As a guide, you can use the city hall, which is located opposite the Bread House.
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