Underground streets and halls of the palace where Charles V abdicated in 1555 and which burned down in 1731.
The Coudenberg Palace Archaeological Site lies beneath Place Royale in central Brussels, Belgium, with its entrance at Rue Montagne de la Cour 5. It preserves the foundations and cellars of the palace that crowned the Coudenberg hill from the 12th century and served for centuries as the residence of the Dukes of Brabant, later of the Burgundian dukes and the Habsburg governors of the Low Countries. The most famous moment in its history took place on 25 October 1555, when Emperor Charles V abdicated in the Great Hall, handing the Netherlands to his son Philip II of Spain.
The complex grew by successive extensions, notably under Philip the Good in the 15th century, when the Aula Magna, a ceremonial hall of exceptional size, was built. A fire on the night of 3 February 1731 destroyed most of the palace. The ruins were cleared, and in the 1770s the Neoclassical Place Royale was laid out above them, burying the lower levels and cellars. Excavations beginning in the 1980s brought the old structures back to light and the site opened to the public in the late 1990s.
Today the visit runs through a network of vaulted cellars and a restored section of the medieval street, the Rue Isabelle, with its excavated house foundations. Visitors walk through the remains of the palace chapel, the foundations of the Aula Magna, and the cellars that held kitchens and stores, supported by models, projections and an audiovisual presentation that reconstructs the former palace. The character of the site is archaeological rather than decorative: brick vaults, stone foundations and sections of paving rather than furnished rooms. Interpretation panels explain the palace's role in court ritual and the fire.
The site is run in conjunction with the neighbouring museums on Place Royale and has been conserved as a protected archaeological monument, with controlled lighting and humidity because of its underground location. The exhibit is compact and can be combined with the nearby BELvue Museum, Royal Palace and Magritte museum in a single morning.
| Admission | About €10 (~$12) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Tuesday-Friday 10:00-17:00, weekends 10:00-18:00 |
| Address | Place Royale (Rue Montagne de la Cour 5), 1000 Brussels |
Why it matters
The Coudenberg Palace was the seat of the Dukes of Brabant and the Habsburg rulers of the Low Countries, and in its Great Hall Charles V abdicated in 1555, dividing his empire between his son and brother. Its destruction by fire in 1731 left a buried ruin that was only rediscovered in the 20th century.
Location
Place Royale (Rue Montagne de la Cour 5), 1000 Brussels
50.8417, 4.3595 View on map
Highlights
- Underground vaulted cellars of the former Brussels palace
- Remains of the Aula Magna, where Charles V abdicated in 1555
- Excavated section of the medieval Rue Isabelle
- Models and projections showing the palace before the 1731 fire
- Remains of the palace chapel
Tips for visiting
- Visit on a rainy day, as the entire route is underground and sheltered.
- Wear a light jacket because the cellars stay cool year-round.
- Check the official site for combined tickets with neighbouring Place Royale museums.
- Allow time for the introductory film before walking the route.
- Entrance is on Rue Montagne de la Cour, not on the main square.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Coudenberg take?
Most visitors need about 45 to 90 minutes. The route is a self-guided walk through the cellars and the excavated street.
Is the site English-language friendly?
Yes. Panels and the audio-visual presentation are available in several languages, including English, alongside French and Dutch.
Can children visit?
Yes. The dark vaults and models of the lost palace are of interest to older children, though younger ones may find the archaeological content abstract.
What happened to the palace?
A fire destroyed most of it on the night of 3 February 1731. The ruins were later built over when Place Royale was laid out in the 1770s.