The equestrian statue of Godfrey of Bouillon was the first public statue erected in Brussels after the Belgian Revolution.
The archaeological site beneath the square, the Coudenberg Palace, was destroyed by a major fire in 1731.
The square's uniform neoclassical façades were constructed on the site of the former palace gardens.
The statue is positioned so that Godfrey of Bouillon faces the direction of the crusades he historically led.
The square was explicitly designed to be a grand, symmetrical space to honor the royal authority of the Habsburgs.
Koningsplein, or Place Royale, is a neoclassical square in central Brussels designed in the 1770s by architects Barnabé Guimard and Joachim Zinner. The square is dominated by the bronze equestrian statue of Godfrey of Bouillon, created by Eugène Simonis and unveiled in 1848. The statue commemorates the leader of the First Crusade, who was historically associated with the region. The square is surrounded by significant cultural institutions, including the Musical Instruments Museum housed in the Old England building and the Magritte Museum. Beneath the square lie the archaeological remains of the Coudenberg Palace, the former residence of Charles V. The symmetrical layout reflects the urban planning principles of the Austrian Netherlands period. It serves as a central hub for the Mont des Arts district. The site maintains a formal, unified architectural appearance intended to project imperial power.
The center of the square looking toward the Old England building with the statue in the foreground.
Visit the underground Coudenberg archaeological site accessible via the BELvue Museum nearby.
Combine your visit with a trip to the rooftop terrace of the Musical Instruments Museum for a panoramic view of the square.
Plan your visit to coincide with a weekday to avoid the peak crowds common on weekends.
Do not assume the statues or building exteriors are interactive; remain respectful of the historical landmarks.
The square itself is a public space accessible at all times, though individual museum access varies by day.
