Grand Place [1] , Grote Markt [1] ( French Grand-Place , Dutch Grote Markt ) is a historical square in the center of Brussels , one of the most important tourist sites of the city. Here are two of the most important attractions - the town hall and the Bread House or the King's House ( Dutch Broodhuis , French: Maison du Roi ). The Brussels Market Square Ensemble is a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Grand Place [* 1] | |
|---|---|
| fr. Grand-Place , Netherlands. Grote Markt [* 2] | |
 | |
| A country | Belgium |
| Type of | cultural |
| Criteria | ii, iv |
| Link | 857 |
| Region [* 3] | Europe |
| Inclusion | 1998 (22nd session) |
Content
- 1 History
- 2 Flower Carpet
- 3 Images
- 4 notes
- 5 Links
History
The market square arose in the 12th century on the site of dried swamps. In the 13th century, the Bread House was built, which, as the name implies, was used to store bread. Later, this building became known as the King’s House. Interestingly, the Dutch language still uses the older name (bread house), while in French this building is called the “king’s house”. Between 1402 and 1455, the Gothic town hall building was erected, which has survived to this day.
On August 13, 1695, the French army began shelling Brussels for several days. As a result, the entire city center was destroyed. Only the town hall and, in part, the Bread House / King's House survived on the market square.
However, after the war ended, the square was quickly (in just four years) rebuilt by rich guilds. As a result, the square took on a form very close to the present. Guild houses built in the Baroque style and the style of Louis XIV [2] .
Flower Carpet
Every two years, starting in 1971, a huge carpet of flowers is created on Grand Place on August 15 for several days. Millions of colorful begonias create a pattern of 24 by 77 meters, with a total area of 1,800 m². Having become popular, this tradition continues to this day, thereby attracting thousands of visitors from around the world [3] .
Images
Town Hall
Bread House / King's House
Guild houses
Circular panorama of the Big Market
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 Belgium: Background map: Scale 1: 500,000 / ed. Chimshidova A.G. - Moscow, Omsk: Roskartografiya, Omsk Cartographic Factory , 2003. - (Countries of the World "Europe"). - ISBN 5-85120-144-4 .
- ↑ Uit in eigen land. Reader's Digest, Brussel, ISBN 9 70818 000
- ↑ GRAND PLACE