Royal Palace of Brussels

The Royal Palace of Brussels stands on Place des Palais in the Upper Town, facing Brussels Park across a wide square. It is the official palace and administrative office of the Belgian monarch, while the royal family lives at the Royal Palace of Laeken, so the building is used for state business, audiences and ceremonies rather than as a residence. The long neoclassical facade was assembled in stages from the 18th century onward and given its present appearance under Leopold II in the early 20th century. Visitors see it free of charge during a limited summer opening period, which usually runs from late July to early September, Tuesday to Sunday. The route passes through a sequence of state rooms, including the Grand Staircase, the Throne Room and the Hall of Mirrors. The best-known room is the Mirror Room, whose ceiling and central chandelier were covered in 2002 by artist Jan Fabre with the iridescent wing-cases of about 1.4 million jewel beetles. The ceiling shimmers green and blue and contrasts with the gilded, historic decor around it. Other rooms hold tapestries, portraits of Belgian sovereigns and period furniture. A visit takes about an hour, plus queueing time. Queues are longest in the first week of opening and at midday, and arriving shortly after the doors open is the usual way to avoid a long wait. Visitors pass through a security check, and large bags may not be admitted. Outside the opening period the palace can still be seen from the square, where the changing of the flag and the Belgian flag flying when the king is in the capital are typical details. The Royal Palace sits at the top of the Mont des Arts area, a short walk from the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, the Coudenberg archaeological site and Brussels Park. The park itself is a good vantage point for photographing the facade, with late afternoon light falling directly on the stonework. The palace is a key part of any Brussels itinerary dealing with Belgian monarchy and national history.