Petit Sablon Brussels and surroundings |
The corner of the Petit Sablon was planned by the architect Beyaert, with its statue of Egmont and Hoorn surrounded by those of William the Silent by Lodewijk van Bodeghem, Hendrik van Brederode by the sculptor Cornelius de Vriendt, of the botanist Rombaut Dodoens, Mercator, the burgomaster Jan van Locquenghien, the painter Barend van Orley, the geographer Ortelius, and Marnix van St. Aldegonde. The Sablon district is dominated by the Egmont Palace which in a shocking condition was sold by the town to the State in 1964 and then passed on to the Foreign Office. It has been completely restored and is the scene of important government receptions and international conferences.
The Porte de Halle is the last remains of the second ring of town walls. It was restored and rebuilt by the architect Beyaert in 1868 as a keep.
The so-called Anneessens Gate in which the magistrate Anneessens was imprisoned formed part of the eleventh century town wall.
The architectural value of St. Michael's Cathedral and its treasures has already been described.
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Work on it continued for three centuries, from the thirteenth to the sixteenth. Its variety of architectural styles is not, therefore, surprising: from early gothic, via Romanesque, and from high and late gothic to baroque. Building was begun in 1226 on orders from Henry l, Duke of Brabant. Beginning with the choir pillars which were finished about 1250 and are in Romanesque-gothic style while the early gothic choir was completed in 1280 and the Maes chapel in 1665 in renaissance style on the order of J. B. Maes, a Knight of St. James. It is possible here only to give a few indications which will encourage those interested to see for themselves : for example the subtle play of pure lines which can be observed from the middle of the transept. Each stained glass window is a unique separate work of art by Barend van Orley. The neogothic high altar in gilded copper is decorated with apparently aiming at originality and mixed various styles without getting them to harmonize : a bit of renaissance and a bit of baroque. Experts claim there to be a lack of proportion in the separate parts and especially the façades. The church has nevertheless architectural value because it marked a nineteenth century attempt at renewal. The old tower stands to the right of the present church and is the only remains from before the demolition of 1893. It is rumoured that the church cannot stand long because of the poor quality of the building materials. The white sand-stone of which it consists seems not to be able to resist a damp climate.
Downhill is located the Radisson SAS Hotel. The hotel is unique in every way, a true luxury hotel in the heart of Brussels. The hotel offers special rooms for the disabled and non smokers. The Radisson SAS Hotel is also close to the main shopping area and many different entertainment venues .
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