The oldest part of the present Town Hall is its east wing (to the left, when facing the front). This wing, together with a small belfry, was built from 1402 to 1420. A second, shorter wing was added between 1444 and 1449. The 96-meter-high tower in Brabantine Gothic style is conspicuously off-center, a consequence of space constraints. Also, the fact that there are 12 arches on the left and 7 on the right may be a reference to alchemy - the 12 steps of wet alchemy and the 7 steps of dry alchemy. Although most of the surrounding buildings were destroyed when the French attacked the city in 1695, the town hall survived. It is said that this is because the French gunners chose the town hall as their target! The town hall is still the seat of the Mayor of Brussels.
This is my first SketchUp model – it took me about 15 hours to make, including taking pictures of the building from all angles. I should probably have chosen a simple, modern building! My model does not do this beautiful building justice, of course – so come to Brussels and see it for yourself… #Belgique #Belgium #Belgïe #Brussel #Brussels #Bruxelles #Grand_Place #Grote_Markt #hotel_de_ville #stadhuis #town_hall
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