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Grand Place
(Market place)
Many have said that Brussels boasts the most splendid
market square in all of Europe. Grand Places esplanade is mesmerizing
and completely enclosed by tall, gabled medieval buildings dripping
with ornamentation and statues. French-speakers refer to it
as the 'Grand-Place', whereas in Dutch it is called 'de grote
Markt'. The tourists of the 20th century are not alone in their
admiration . |
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Archduchess Isabella, daughter of Filip II
of Spain wrote about the square during her visit to Brussels
on September the 5th 1599... : " Never have I seen
something so beautiful and exquisite as the town square of
the city where the town hall rises up into the sky. The decoration
of the houses is most remarkable ".
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Situated on former marshland, it was a centre
of social, economics and politics of the town from the 12th
century. more or less entirely destroyed in 48 hours on the
13th and 14th of august 1695 by the artillery of Marshal de
Villeroy by order of Louis 14 (the Sun King). In less than
4 years however (1696-1700) the powerful trade corporations
had courageously rebuilt their splendid houses in a blend
of Italian and Flemish"Baroque style".
The Grand Place, already a beautiful sight during the daytime,
takes of fairy-art after sunset with the illumations magnifying
the beauty of the architecture. Season from June to september
from 9PM. Spectacle of Music and illuminations.. Don't miss
it, it's incredible...
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Town Hall
(Hotel de Ville)
The left wing, the oldest part, dates from 1402,
the right wing, by an unknown architect was begun in 1444. The
legend says that after he saw that the two parts were not symetrical,
he killed himself jumping from the top of the tower...
At the summit of the marvellous tower is a gigantic weather
cock made of golden bronze, (16 feet) and representing the Protector
of the town. This edifice was partly destroyed in 1695 during
the siege of the town by the armies of the Sun King... |
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