During the 10th century a fortified castle was built on an island in a swamp of the
river Zenne. This meant birth for Brussels. Near the castle after the land
reclamation, an open market grew by the name of 'Niedermerct'. In the 13th century
houses were built arround this market place. They stood very near to eachother
rather chaotically ordered seperated by the gardens. In the 14th century a fountain
was placed on this market place which would last for 263 years.
Building the Town Hall quickened the regroupement of the buildings arround a
square market place.
The square was the stage for many festivities, but also for the most dreadful
In august of the year 1695 field marshall Villeroy, who served Louis XIV of
France, laid siege to the town. The 'Grote Markt' was almost completely destroyed by
the bombardments. Only the stone walls of the Town Hall (Stadhuis) and the structure
of the King's House (Koningshuis) survived the disastre. But the people of Brussels
rebuilt their market quickly and succesfully. In 1793, during the French Revolution,
many statues representing Christian or of nobility were destroyed;
Some large scale building projects were avoided during the 19th century and thanks
to the effort of Mayor Buls many of the finest buildings were restored (1882 - 1920).
Next to the Gothic Town Hall and Bread
House (Broodhuis), the many facades show a rich collection of
renaissance and baroque elements.
Here you can find amongst other buildings: