ROYAL PALACE OF BRUSSELS

Description

Essentials about the Royal Palace of Brussels in brief

Monarchists and lovers of magnificent palaces should not miss a visit to the Royal Palace during a trip to Brussels. The Royal Palace is located opposite the Palace of Nations at the south end of Brussels Park and is today a symbol of Belgium’s constitutional monarchy. The palace is the official residence of the Belgian king and is also used for state receptions and other ceremonies. In summer, the gates of the neo-baroque palace are opened to the public so that visitors can admire the magnificent salons inside.

The history of the Royal Palace of Brussels

The Coudenberg, the former court castle of the Burgundians and Habsburgs, once stood on the present site of the Royal Palace. It was largely destroyed by fire in 1731 and subsequently demolished. A smaller residence took its place. William I, King of the Netherlands, decided in 1815 that the former four houses should be developed into a royal palace. The work was completed in 1829. A year later, Belgium gained its independence and the new Belgian King Leopold I chose this palace as his residence.

His successor, Leopold II, gave the neo-baroque palace its present appearance. The reconstruction work lasted until 1903 and the palace was used as the residence of the Belgian royal family until the death of Queen Astrid in 1935. After that, the then King Leopold III moved to the Castle of Laeken, where the royal family still lives today.

The Royal Palace of Brussels today

The Royal Palace in the center of Brussels is still the official residence of the king, serving him for state receptions and other official duties and housing the offices of the court. In addition, the palace now houses a museum with a collection on the Royal Belgian dynasty. Since 1965, the Royal Palace of Brussels has been open to the public in the summer, allowing visitors to marvel at the sumptuous salons, galleries and staircases inside.