Where is Brussels Town Hall located?

The landmark stands on the south side of Grand-Place, directly opposite the King's House.

Which figure stands atop the spire?

A gilt metal statue depicting Saint Michael slaying a dragon stands at the summit.

Why is the building asymmetrical?

The off-centre layout stems from construction in separate stages alongside spatial constraints on the square.

What survived the bombardment of the city?

The stone exterior shell survived the artillery barrage and resulting fire, while municipal archives and interior art collections were lost.

Which architectural style defines the main tower?

The tower is built in the Brabantine Gothic style with an openwork pinnacle.

Schaerbeek · Belgique

hôtel de ville de Bruxelles: ce qu’il y a autour, comment y aller et quand venir · 2026

Urban researchers and administrative fellows based around the Grand-Place contend with dense tourist foot traffic while working adjacent to the city's surviving medieval civic headquarters.

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À propos du lieu

Built across distinct medieval campaigns, the Gothic municipal landmark stands as the sole surviving medieval structure on the Grand-Place.

Construction began on the eastern wing under architects Jacob van Thienen and Jean Bornoy before guild integration prompted the addition of an extended western wing. Jan van Ruysbroek completed the central Brabantine Gothic spire, placing a gilded statue of Saint Michael slaying a dragon at the apex. The progressive expansion across distinct building campaigns produced noticeable asymmetry between the spire, portal, and facade.

Hostile artillery bombardment gutted the interior, destroying civic archives and master paintings by Rogier van der Weyden while leaving the masonry shell standing. Architect Cornelis van Nerven directed the subsequent reconstruction, adding classical rear wings around an inner courtyard. The municipal complex later accommodated the States of Brabant and sheltered the revolutionary Provisional Government.

Associations

Brabantine GothicDistinctive architectural style of the main tower and medieval facade.
Saint MichaelGilded statue of the patron saint slaying a demon atop the openwork spire.
Asymmetrical FaçadeOff-centre portal and uneven wings resulting from fragmented construction.
Artillery BombardmentDevastating shelling gutted the interior and destroyed irreplaceable civic art.
Cornelis van NervenArchitect who added classical rear wings over ruined market grounds.

Faits

The structure stands on the south side of the Grand-Place directly opposite the Brussels City Museum.
Jan van Ruysbroek designed the Brabantine Gothic spire crowned by a statue of Saint Michael.
Artillery fire destroyed historic town archives and paintings by Rogier van der Weyden during wartime bombardment.
Reconstruction under Cornelis van Nerven added classical wings that converted the building into a quadrilateral layout.
The Provisional Government used the town hall as an operational base during the Belgian Revolution.

Mis à jour le 21 septembre 2026Source : Wikipedia

hôtel de ville de Bruxelles: ce qu’il y a autour, comment y aller et quand venir · 2026

Aux alentours6

Built across distinct medieval campaigns, the Gothic municipal landmark stands as the sole surviving medieval structure on the Grand-Place.

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