The Renaissance in Brussels: a period of prosperity that left its mark

Today, it's a well-known fact: in the 16th century, Brussels enjoyed a great reputation in the artistic sector and the capital's museums - the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, the Art & History Museum and the KBR museum - bear witness to this on a massive scale. Bernard van Orley is renowned for his beautiful paintings and tapestry cartoons. In the 16th century, the town distinguished itself in the production of high-quality tapestries, a veritable luxury industry at the time, supplying princely residences throughout Europe. The Bruegel family produced a number of artists in Brussels, the most famous of whom was Pieter Bruegel the Elder, famed for his distinctive paintings and engravings. He was married in Chapel Church, where he was buried in 1569; a funeral plaque in the church still bears witness to this. A statue depicting him at work stands on place de la Chapelle.

The hotel - once owned by the Clèves-Ravenstein family, now mainly occupied by the Cinematek film library - is a rare example of a 16th-century building in Brussels, even though its original core dates back to the late 15th century. A remarkable ensemble, it was built in the Brabant Gothic style, a local transposition of the well-known style of the Middle Ages.

If you're in the area, chances are that you'll catch the eccentric carillon of the Mont des Arts. Established there in 1965, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is decorated with 12 statuettes - representing the 12 hours - of important figures in Brussels history, including Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and the Count of Egmont, whom we will discuss in a moment.

The Sablon district, today chic and peaceful, did not always enjoy such tranquillity. The Egmont Palace, parts of which date back to the 16th century, was surrounded by aristocratic mansions in the vicinity of the former ducal court. Only an inscription carved in stone remains of the Hôtel de Culembourg, which was razed to the ground in 1568 – head to 20 Rue des Petits-Carmes and glance up slightly! The site was a meeting place for nobles opposed to the policies of Philip II. The meetings eventually led to the beheading of the Counts of Egmont and Hornes on the Grand-Place, an event commemorated by a plaque affixed to one of the pillars at the entrance to the Maison du Roi.

The square du Petit Sablon also transports you back to the 16th century. In its centre stands a statue of the ill-fated Counts of Egmont and Hornes, while its edges are adorned with statues of the personalities who left their mark on Brussels during this period.

It's impossible to talk about the Renaissance in Brussels without mentioning Erasmus House in Anderlecht. This picturesque Gothic building was constructed in two phases, the second in 1515. It is reputed to have been the home, in 1521, of Erasmus, the great philosopher and theologian and the leading exponent of humanism in the lowlands. Don't hesitate to visit the building - which is now a museum dedicated to the life of Erasmus and the intellectual history of the Renaissance - and the adjoining beguinage.

We could talk endlessly about the Renaissance in Brussels, but we'll round up this overview with Mercator, a pioneer of cartography, whose work can be admired in the KBR collections.

Tell them that Brussels' place names are full of references to the Renaissance, which is a sure sign: the Erasmus hospital, the Justus Lipsius building, avenue de la Renaissance, avenue Charles Quint, rue Brederode - named after Henri de Brederode, who was also beheaded for his role in the uprising against Spanish rule - the list goes on. Once you start looking, you'll see that the Renaissance is everywhere in Brussels!