City Hall

History and restorations

The City Hall in Brussels is one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic architecture. Since its construction at the end of the Middle Ages, it has served as a meeting place for the City's leaders. It also houses offices and ceremonial rooms which are used by the municipal authorities.

The building was constructed in two stages. The first phase of construction started in 1401 and ended in 1421. At the time, the City Hall was smaller than what you see today. It was limited to the current left wing of the building and the square base of the tower.

During the second phase, from 1444 to 1455, the building took the shape you see before you. A new wing was built on the right side, which was shorter than the one on the left. At the same time, the tower was raised by an octagonal arrow ending in a point.

The imposing look of the completed building testified to the power acquired by Brussels and its municipal authorities at the end of the Middle Ages. As a riposte to the splendour of the City Hall, Charles V had the King's House built on the other side of the square in the following century, as the symbol of centralised power.

Construction of the City Hall was completed in 1455, with the installation of a weathervane in the form of a statue of the Archangel Michael at the top of the tower, the patron saint of Brussels' inhabitants and the official symbol of municipal authority. Saint Michael battling the devil dominates the city at a height of nearly 97 metres.

Since 1996, an identical copy has replaced the original statue. The original is currently on display at the King's House, which now houses the Brussels City Museum.

Along with the entire lower part of the city, the City Hall was burned down during the bombardment of Brussels in 1695, which was ordered by King Louis XIV of France. Fortunately, the building's exterior walls remained intact. However, all of the interior that went up in smoke and needed to be rebuilt, as did all of the houses on the Grand Place.

It was this reconstruction, hastily implemented, that gave the square its unique aspect, which can still be admired today.

Between the 1840s and the early 20th century, the City Hall underwent a comprehensive restoration. In order to further enhance the building, circa 300 neo-Gothic statues were installed on the facades. During the same period, all the houses in the square were also restored, and the King's House was rebuilt.

At the same time, the interior was largely redecorated in a style inspired by the Middle Ages, which was reminiscent of the splendour of Brussels' past. Guided tours are regularly organised at the City Hall. To find out more, please visit the VisitBrussels offices on the ground floor.

Did you know

Incredibly, the wooden door studded with nails that you see on the ground floor of the tower withstood the 1695 bombardment. It is still the original door from the 15th century! When you go through this door, you will arrive in an inner courtyard surrounded by a beautiful classical structure from the early 18th century. This is now part of the City Hall. Until the bombardment of the city in 1695, a Cloth Hall stood on this spot. The famous dyed wool fabrics, which made Brussels famous in the Middle Ages, were sold here.

The sections above are the city's own survey text, Ville de Bruxelles / Data Management, CC BY 4.0.