The Brussels Town Hall, located on the Grand Place, is a masterpiece of Brabantine Gothic architecture. The building was constructed in stages during the 15th century, with the east wing and the iconic 96-meter belfry completed first under the direction of Jacob van Thienen and Jan van Ruysbroeck. The tower is crowned by a gilded copper statue of Saint Michael, the patron saint of Brussels, slaying a dragon.
The structure is renowned for its asymmetrical facade, a result of the building's phased construction and the constraints of the surrounding medieval street plan. The interior houses a collection of 16th-century tapestries, ornate wood carvings, and paintings that reflect the city's historical significance as a center of trade and political power within the Burgundian Netherlands.
Key Facts
- Materials
- Sandstone, Copper, Oak
- Civilization
- Brabantine
- Accessibility
- Limited; guided tours only
- Date(s)
- 1401-1455
- Condition
- Well-preserved, active municipal building
- Original Function
- Administrative center of the City of Brussels
- Key Figures
- Jacob van Thienen, Jan van Ruysbroeck, Charles the Bold
Initial Construction
1401-1421The construction of the east wing began in 1401 under the architect Jacob van Thienen. This initial phase established the core administrative functions of the city government.
Tower and Expansion
1444-1455Jan van Ruysbroeck designed and oversaw the construction of the central tower. The tower's completion in 1455 marked the height of the building's Gothic architectural development.
Bombardment of Brussels
1695During the French bombardment of Brussels, the Town Hall was one of the few buildings on the Grand Place to survive the fire, though its interior was severely damaged.
19th Century Restoration
1840-1900The building underwent extensive restoration and decoration, including the addition of numerous statues to the facade to replace those lost or damaged over the centuries.