Grand Place

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"One of the most beautiful squares in Europe, if not the world." This is the sentence most often heard when the tourists who visit the city of Brussels are asked to describe the city's central square. French speakers refer to it calling it the "Grand Place", while in Dutch is called "the Grote Markt. Tourists today are not the only admire the beauty of this location in Brussels. Archduchess Isabella, daughter of Philip II of Spain wrote about this market during his visit to Brussels in 1599 septemrbie: "I was never given to see something so beautiful and exquisite as the town square where the mayor is up to heaven. Decorations on buildings are truly remarkable. "

Writers like Victor Hugo and Baudelaire were also impressed by the charm of the market dominated by caldirea City of Brussels, the royal house and houses medieval guilds. Origin market called Grand Place today is somewhat a very humble. The place was nothing but a sandy soil between two springs flowing into the river Senna. Over time the land was turned into "Niedermerckt" or "down market". 12th century Brussels became a turning point of trade routes between Bruges, Cologne and France. Lana English, French wine and German beer were sold in the port and market.

During the Middle Ages small wooden houses began to appear around the market, but then, after the 14th century, wealthy and powerful patrician families have built houses of stone there. Slowly, the market became commercial and administrative center of the city. The year 1402 has begun construction of the Brussels mayor, the building would be completed in 1455. Market had become the political center had an important meeting place where the executions will be implemented and where dukes, kings and emperors were officially welcomed. In subsequent years, all wooden houses were replaced by beautiful stone residences, mostly owned by guilds of Brussels.

On 13 August 1695, the famous square was bombed and almost brought to ruin the book stage marshal Villeroy. By order of Louis 14th of France it has destroyed almost the entire city Brussels as retaliation for a battle lost in Namur (south Belgium). Between 1695 and 1700, guilds have rebuilt all the houses. Hall, who had been severely damaged and it was rebuilt. In the 18th and 19th century most houses have entered the private propiretatea and new owners have also tried to modernize these houses changing their appearance until the Brussels mayor, Buls Karel, decided that these houses of the Grand Place to be preserved as much possible to their original state. Without the intervention of the law promulgated by the mayor and he would be maimed and unique style of these houses in downtown Brussels.

Nowadays, the Grand Place in Brussels is the main tourist target. During the entire year, Grand Market in Brussels is visited by thousands of people who enjoy time spent here to see beautiful buildings, or stopped at one of the many terraces and enjoying an excellent Belgian beer. Sorts of concerts and other musical events are held here in various periods of the year. The best known eveniminete who live here are Ommegang (an historical process that takes place in early July) and biennial flower carpet.

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