Palais du Coudenberg - Coudenbergpaleis

Coudenberg Palace


Useful Information

Location: Place des Palais 7, 1000 Bruxelles.
(50.842679, 4.360724)
Open: JAN to JUN Tue-Fri 9:30-17, Sat, Sun, Hol 10-18.
JUL to AUG Tue-Sun, Hol 10-18.
SEP to DEC Tue-Fri 9:30-17, Sat, Sun, Hol 10-18.
01-JAN, 21-JUL, 25-DEC colsed.
24-DEC, 31-DEC -16.
[2018]
Fee: Adults EUR 7, Adults (18-27) EUR 5, Children (0-17) free, Seniors (65+) EUR 6, Disabled EUR 5, Unemployed EUR 5, Brussels Card free.
Groups (15+): Adults EUR 6.
Combi Ticket with BELvue: Adults EUR 12, Adults (18-27) EUR 8, Children (0-17) free, Seniors (65+) EUR 10, Disabled EUR 8, Unemployed EUR 8, Brussels Card free.
Groups (15+): Adults EUR 10.
[2018]
Classification: SubterraneaUnderground City
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours: D=90 min, self guided.
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: wheelchair accessible
Bibliography:
Address: Palais du Coudenberg - Coudenbergpaleis, Place des Palais 7, 1000 Bruxelles, Tel: +32-2500-4554, Fax: +32-2502-4623, E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1100 the counts of Leuven and Brussels built their castle on the heights of Coudenberg
1183 German Emperor Frederik Barbarossa created the Duchy of Brabant and Coudenberg gained in importance.
1356 second enclosure of the city, the castle was no longer necessary as a primary defence and gradually converted into a residential palace.
1430 new wings for the palace and the Aula Magna built.
12th century begin of the extension of the old castle into a chateau
03-FEB-1731 chateau damaged by fire

Description

Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. used to hold court in a palace on Coudenberg Hill in Brussels. Unfortunately this pallace took fire in 1731 and was paved over to become the foundation of today’s Royal Square. But the palace was not destroyed by the fire or the construction of the new square. It is simply covered by newer buildigs and is now "underground".

The inhabitants of the capital soon forgot about the Coudenberg, the Bellevue Hotel used a small part of the space as a wine cellar for some time. The palace, the Aula Magna (Grand Hall) where Charles V. and his entourage enojoyed lavish banquets, was excavated at the turn of the century. It is now part of a visit to the Palais du Coudenberg, although you have to look for it, as it is not normal to check out the cellars. But if you know where to look, its quite an impressive underground structure.

The Aula Magna has seen a lot of history. In this hall Margaret of Austria formally relinquished her regency over the Low Countries to Charles von Habsburg in 1515. Here Charles V became the Duke of Burgundy and abdicated in favour of his son 40 years later.