Grand Place (Central Square)
The Grand' Place has been at the heart of Brussels' life since the 11th century. Almost totally destroyed by the French bombardment ordered by Louis XIV in
1695, it was later rebuilt in its original architectural style by various workers' guilds. The splendid neo-Gothic and Baroque houses that surround the
cobbled square once housed the headquarters of corporations of artists, merchants and tailors; the City of Brussels Museum in the former Maison du Roi
(King's Residence) allows visitors to explore the city's illustrious trading history. Other buildings in the Grand' Place which provide insights into
Brussels' traditions are the Town Hall, the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate and the Museum of Brewing.
Adress: Grand-Place, 1000 Brussels
Tel: (02) 513 8940
Hôtel de Ville
The Hotel de Ville is one of the premier buildings located in Brussels’ Grand Place. The Hotel de Ville was the town hall dating back to 1402 and today is
the seat of the civic government. The building’s arched windows and stately tower project a monumental impression of stability and timelessness. The Hotel de
Ville is decorated with various sculptors including one of St. Michael slaying a female devil.
When the city’s legislative body is not in session, guided tours of the Hotel de Ville are available. The tours last 40 minutes. However, only a few tours
operate per day. Not all tours are provided in English. Therefore, if is recommended that you plan in advance.
Address: Ilôt Sacré
Admission: Adults 3€, children 2€
Galeries Royales Saint Hubert
Built in 1846, the glass-roofed Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert are split into three parts; the Queen's, King's and Prince's galleries. This light-filled haven
of genteel charm is a place to shop, stroll, pause for coffee or see a film.
Address: Rue des Bouchers
Telephone: (02) 512 2116
Palais Royal
Belgium's royal family now lives in Laeken, but the former Royal Palace is used as official offices and to host functions and can be visited during summer
months. Admire the palace's Throne Room, Great Gallery and Hall of Mirrors.
Since 2003, the royal couple have also been introducing modern art by Belgian artists into the various rooms and hallways. Jan Fabre, Marthe Wéry and Dirk
Braeckman are some of the exhibited artists.
The Royal Palace is located just across from the Parc Royal, sumptuous manicured gardens featuring wide alleys and a central water feature.
Website: www.monarchie.be
Opening time: July to September
Royal Museums of Fine Arts
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts, is one of the most famous museums in Belgium. It is situated in the capital Brussels in the downtown area on the Coudenberg.
There are four museums connected with the Royal Museum, and two of them (the Museum of Ancient Art and the Museum of Modern Art, Brussels), are in the main
building. The other two (the Museum Constantin Meunier and the Antoine Wiertz Museum) are dedicated to specific Belgian artists, are much smaller, and are
located at different points in the city.
Address: Rue de la Régence 3
Website: www.fine-arts-museum.be
Telephone: (0)2 508 3211
Opening time: 10h00 to 17h00
Royal Museum of Central Africa
The Royal Museum for Central Africa, located at Tervuren, in the outskirts of Brussels, Belgium, is a unique museum of its kind. The idea of building such a
museum dates back to 1897 following the World Fair and should be seen within the historical framework of the European race for the conquest and domination of
Africa. King Leopold II was the leading force in Belgium's presence in Central Africa and such endeveaour has passed to history as one of the most ruthless
and brutal colonizations ever. The museum, which was built between 1904 and 1910 modelling after Versailles and the Petit Palais in Paris, intended to
reflect the European colonial view of Africa at that time. The museum collection has hardly changed since the 1960s and has kept the Europe-biased approach
to the Black continent purposefully as a telling source of historical manipulation and eurocentrism.
Address: Leuvensesteenweg 1302
Website: www.africamuseum.be
Telephone: (0)2 769 5211
Opening time: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm; Saturday to Sunday 10am to 6pm