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Other events 2010 - 2011:
Visit to Coudenberg, April 2011
Our visit to the archeological site and museum of Coudenberg (or
Koudenberg – cold mountain) began on the Keizerslaan.
Our guide, Paul
De Ridder, introduced himself as a medieval historian, librarian,
archivist, and member of the Brussels Parliament. He gave us a quick
overview of the various rulers of Brussels and the surrounding areas
since the twelfth century, taking in a number of nationalities and
swings in religious and language preferences. By the early sixteenth
century, Brussels was the centre of an empire that stretched from Spain
to Austria, and the residence of Europe’s most powerful ruler, Emperor
Charles V. The Coudenberg Palace, perched on the hill in the centre of
the city, reflected the importance and prestige of its owner.
In 1731 – whether because of a tired duchess or a careless kitchen maid is not clear – a fire broke out in the palace.
The burnt-out ruins were left standing until 1785, when the whole area was remodelled to become the
“Austrian Neighbourhood”, or what is now the Place Royale.
At the time, the ground was levelled and raised, with the result that many of the
previously existing streets and the lower levels of the buildings, including the palace, were preserved underground.
Excavation of the site started in the 1980s, and nowadays you can visit a whole warren of
underground passageways and partially reconstructed rooms.
Our guide also took us to the Coudenberg Museum, which displays pottery, glass and
other objects discovered during the excavations. After re-emerging into the open air, we were treated to a couple of extra “freebies”.
Our
guide took us on a quick transit of the Royal Library, followed by a
whirlwind tour of the Brussels Parliament, ending by presenting all of
us with a free copy of his book, Brussels: history of a Brabant city.
Finally, most of us moved to the Grote Markt, for a very pleasant al
fresco lunch in the sunshine, accompanied by a refreshing beer.
