The buried Rue Isabelle
A whole medieval street beneath the modern Place Royale.
Julian Lupyan — CC0 · DimiTalen — CC0 · Karmakolle — CC0 · Fred Romero from Paris, France — CC BY 2.0
Coudenberg is Brussels' lost palace: on the hill of the Place Royale stood for centuries one of Europe's grandest palaces — seat of the Dukes of Brabant and then Emperor Charles V, who abdicated in its great hall, the "Aula Magna", in 1555. The palace burned in 1731 and its ruins were buried beneath the new Place Royale, until excavations uncovered them. The visit today is underground: you walk the buried medieval streets (Rue Isabelle), the cellars of the great hall and the palace kitchens, among walls from the twelfth century onward — a city beneath the city in which you read Brussels' history from the Middle Ages through the Spanish and Austrian eras. A small museum shows the finds. The entrance is through the BELvue museum of Belgian history (on the Place Royale) — combine them. A quiet, surprising visit for the history lover, steps from Magritte.
A whole medieval street beneath the modern Place Royale.
Foundations of the hall where Charles V abdicated.
Place des Palais 7, 1000 Brussels
Musical Instruments Museum (MIM)The Musical Instruments Museum is among the world's most important instrument mu1 minute walk4.3
CINEMATEKBelgium's royal film archive, housed inside the BOZAR building. It preserves one1 minute walk4.7
Magritte MuseumThe Magritte Museum holds the world's largest collection of René Magritte, Belgi1 minute walk4.4
Palace of Charles of LorraineThe remains of an eighteenth-century palace built by Charles Alexander of Lorrai1 minute walk4.4
BOZAR Centre for Fine ArtsBrussels's principal arts centre, in a building designed by Victor Horta and com1 minute walk4.6For the history lover: yes — the "city beneath the city" idea is unique, the story of the burned, buried palace captivating, and it is quiet away from the crowds. For others: Magritte and the Royal Museums come first. Combine it with the BELvue museum of Belgian history on the combined ticket for two rewarding hours.