Victor Hugo Walk in Brussels - The Grand-Place and the Town Hall

If you have ever been to Brussels, you probably have been at the Grand-Place and have seen the magnificent Town Hall. I can imagine that you took your time to have a look around and take pictures of this building, zooming in on all the spectacular details.

When Victor Hugo came to the Belgian capital for the first time in 1837, he was a tourist too. And he – like many other before and after him – was impressed by the Grand-Place and the Town Hall as well. In his journal he wrote:

The Town Hall of Brussels is a jewel, a dazzling fantasy dreamed up by a a poet, and realized by an architect. And the square around it is a miracle.

For more information about the Grand-Place, have a look here. The Town Hall itself dates from the Middle Ages; the east wing, which is the oldest part of the building, was built in the beginning of the 15th century. On the 96 meter high tower you can see the metal statue of the archangel Michael, who happens to be the patron saint of the Belgian capital. The numerous statues on the facade represent nobles, saints and allegorical figures.

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