Place Royale

The Place Royale or Koningsplein is a historic square near the center of Brussels, Belgium.HistoryThe square itself is built on the former site of the Baliënplein, which was the main market square adjacent to the former palace of Coudenberg. The palace burned down, however, during a fire that took much of the original royal complex on the night of February 3, 1731. Construction of the new buildings around the square took from 1773 to 1780, using the design of French architect Barnabé Guimard, who received that commission in 1769. The square is almost an exact replica of the Place Royale in Reims.During the Belgian Revolution in 1830, a barricade was erected across the eastern exit of the square next to the current BELvue Museum, facing the Brussels Park. Two cannon were also positioned on it.In 1831, the coronation of King Leopold I, Belgium's first king, was held in the place. The funerals of King Leopold III and Prince Charles, prince-regent between 1944 and 50, were also held in the square.In 2014, the heritage organization Beliris announced plans to restore the buildings and atmosphere on the square. Final plans will be provided in 2016 and work may begin in 2017.