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Bombardment of Brussels

1695 in the Habsburg Netherlands17th century in BrusselsBattles involving BelgiumBattles involving FranceConflicts in 1695
Military history of BelgiumUse mdy dates from April 2019
Bombardement Bruxelles 1695 01
Bombardement Bruxelles 1695 01

The bombardment of Brussels by troops of Louis XIV of France on August 13, 14 and 15, 1695, and the resulting fire were together the most destructive event in the entire history of Brussels. Brussels was mostly untouched by most other conflicts. It did not suffer significant damage during World War I, and bombing during World War II was not nearly as extensive as that of 1695. The Grand Place was destroyed, along with a third of the buildings in the city. The reconstruction of the city centre, effected during subsequent years, profoundly changed the appearance of the city and left numerous traces still visible today. The bombardment was part of the Nine Years' War. The French forces hoped that by bombarding, or threatening to bombard Brussels, they would be able to divert Allied troops from the Siege of Namur. The strategy was unsuccessful, and no military gain came of the bombardment, although Louis XIV's reputation suffered for such a barbarous act.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Bombardment of Brussels (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Bombardment of Brussels
Grand Place, City of Brussels Pentagon (Brussels)

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Wikipedia: Bombardment of BrusselsContinue reading on Wikipedia

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N 50.8467 ° E 4.3524 °
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Grand-Place - Grote Markt

Grand Place
1000 City of Brussels, Pentagon (Brussels)
Belgium
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Bombardement Bruxelles 1695 01
Bombardement Bruxelles 1695 01
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Grand Place
Grand Place

The Grand Place (French, pronounced [ɡʁɑ̃ plas]; "Grand Square"; also used in English) or Grote Markt (Dutch, pronounced [ˌɣroːtə ˈmɑr(ə)kt] (listen); "Big Market") is the central square of Brussels, Belgium. It is surrounded by opulent Baroque guildhalls of the former Guilds of Brussels and two larger edifices; the city's Flamboyant Town Hall, and the neo-Gothic King's House or Bread House building (French: Maison du Roi, Dutch: Broodhuis) containing the Brussels City Museum. The square measures 68 by 110 metres (223 by 361 ft) and is entirely paved. The Grand Place's construction began in the 11th century and was largely complete by the 17th. In 1695, during the Nine Years' War, most of the square was destroyed during the bombardment of Brussels by French troops. Only the facade and the tower of the Town Hall, which served as a target for the artillery, and some stone walls resisted the incendiary balls. The houses that surrounded the Grand Place were rebuilt during subsequent years, giving the square its current appearance, though they were frequently modified in the following centuries. From the mid-19th century, the square's heritage value was rediscovered, and it was thoroughly renovated.Nowadays, the Grand Place is the most important tourist destination and most memorable landmark in Brussels. It is also considered one of the world's most beautiful squares, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. The square frequently hosts festive and cultural events, among them, in August of every even year, the installation of an immense flower carpet in its centre. It is also a centre of annual celebrations during the Christmas and New Year period, and a Christmas tree has been erected annually on the square since the mid-20th century.This site is served by the premetro (underground tram) station Bourse/Beurs (on lines 3 and 4), as well as the bus stop Grand Place/Grote Markt (on line 95).