Guided Visit to Coudenberg Palace
Discover What's Hidden Beneath
Brussels' Place Royale
Since the 11th century, Coudenberg ("Cold Mountain") has served as the residence of the sovereigns. The Dukes of Brabant, Charles V, Charles of Lorraine, and the Kings of the Belgians have all lived here. In the 14th century, the castle of the Dukes of Brabant occupied most of the summit of the Coudenberg. As the castle was gradually transformed into a palace between the 15th and 17th centuries, it was extended, altered, and embellished, until it was destroyed in a catastrophic fire in 1731. Forty years later, Charles of Lorraine leveled the ruins to make way for the Place Royale as we now know it.
Within the past decade or so, archeologists have excavated beneath the cobblestones to reveal the remains of Charles V’s three story Palatine Chapel, the Magna Aula or large ceremonial hall where the knights of the Order of the Golden Fleece met, the Lalaing-Hoogstraeten manor house, and a stretch of Rue Isabelle, which lay buried and mostly forgotten for 200 years. Much of this fascinating subterranean world is now open to the public as an extension of the BELvue Museum of Belgian royalty, located in a wing of the Royal Palace .
Our visit with an English-speaking guide will take about an hour and a half. Be sure to dress warmly and wear comfortable walking shoes. Afterwards, we’ll stroll down the Mont des Arts to the Natural Caffè and enjoy a hot drink.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, February 13
Time: 1:00 pm
Place: Entrance via BELvue Museum, Place des Palais 7, 1000 Brussels
Price: €15 for ACB and AWCB members; €18 for non-members
Reservations are due by noon on Thursday, February 10 by email (info@americanclubbrussels.org), online at www.americanclubbrussels.org, or by telephone to the ACB Office Manager (02.219.58.08). Payment to ACB at 427-9195881-44 will confirm your reservation. Be sure to mention “Coudenberg” in the communications section of the virement. Note that cancellations are possible until noon on Thursday, February 10. Participants canceling after this time, as well as no-shows, are charged the full cost of the event.
