The romantic castle
The 1870 restoration gave it fairy-tale turrets.
Zairon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photoglob Co., publisher — Public domain · FrDr — CC BY-SA 4.0 · FrDr — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Halle Gate is the sole survivor of Brussels' second city wall (fourteenth century): a fortified gate of 1381 with towers and a bridge that once spanned a moat, spared the nineteenth-century demolition of the walls because it served as a prison and then a depot — and restored in a romantic Gothic style (1870) with a conical roof and added turrets that gave it a fairy-tale-castle look. Today it is a museum (a branch of the Art & History Museum) on the city's medieval history and fortifications: armour, guilds and weapons, models of the walls, and the guardroom with its original walls. On the roof, a circular walkway beneath the eaves gives a view over southern Brussels and the working-class Marolles district. On the centre's southern edge (metro Porte de Hal) — a short visit for the medieval enthusiast and for families (children love the castle). Closed Mondays.
The 1870 restoration gave it fairy-tale turrets.
A circle beneath the eaves overlooking southern Brussels.
Medieval Brussels in its weapons and wall models.
Boulevard du Midi 150, 1000 Brussels
Egmont PalaceAn aristocratic palace in the Sablon district, sixteenth-century in origin and r14 minutes walk4.6
Place du Grand SablonThe Grand Sablon is Brussels' most refined square: an elegant sloping piazza rin14 minutes walk4.2
Church of Notre-Dame du SablonNotre-Dame du Sablon is Brussels' loveliest Gothic church after the cathedral, a14 minutes walk4.5
Horta MuseumThe Horta Museum is the house and studio of Victor Horta, father of architectura15 minutes walk4.5
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of BelgiumThe Royal Museums of Fine Arts are Belgium's largest art complex, on the Place R17 minutes walk4.6For the medieval enthusiast and families with children: yes, an enjoyable hour in a real castle. For others: its exterior (free) suffices. Best combined with a morning in the nearby Marolles district: the flea market on Place du Jeu de Balle (daily mornings, biggest at weekends) and its vintage shops.