Coudenberg - Former Palace of Brussels

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From the Middle Ages, a castle overlooked Brussels from the Coudenberg hill.

From the 12th century, the successive monarchs and their representatives transformed a small fortified castle into a sumptuous residential palace, one of the most beautiful palaces of Europe and one of the main residences of Charles V.

This prestigious building was severely damaged by fire in 1731.

Some 40 years later, the ruins of the palace were pulled down and the ground was flattened out for the construction of the new royal district.

The remains of this palace make up the Coudenberg archaeological site.

During the visit, people will discover the Rue Isabelle and the old structures of the main buildings of the former palace of Brussels, which are now the foundations for today’s royal district and the Hoogstraeten House. In this House are displayed the most interesting discoveries made during the various archaeological excavations conducted on the Coudenberg site.