The Royal Palace, which is located at the historical center of Brussels, is an administrative center and the main workplace of the king. Almost every day it welcomes politicians, ambassadors, heads of states, and other guests. At the same time, the royal court conducts its work there.

The facade of the palace overlooks Brussels Park, behind which the Palace of Nations – the seat of the Federal Parliament – is located. The neighborhood of both buildings in a sense symbolizes the form of Belgian government – the constitutional monarchy.

The construction of the Royal Palace started in the 18th century. It was built on the place of a centuries-old palace of Coudenberg, which is a former residence of the dukes of Brabant and which burned down during a fire in 1731. Even though the palace has been there for almost three hundred years now, its majestic classic facade has appeared relatively recently – in the 1990s.

According to a tradition, which appeared in 1965, every summer after the National day of Belgium on the 21st of July, the doors of the Royal Palace are opened to everyone. Do not be lazy and join an excursion to the main working residence of the Belgian King, if you have a chance!

Guests of the palace first enter a majestic lobby with a wide grand staircase and a statue of Minerva. Against the background of pale walls with stone columns and a white marble staircase, the carved and gilded decorative elements are presented in all their glory. The interior of this room was designed by a famous Belgian architect, Alphonse Balat – the creator of the famous royal greenhouses in the Palace of Laeken.

In the oldest part of the palace, there is a splendid Emperor’s room. During the reign of Leopold II, this room hosted concerts, court balls, and other festive events. Today, the King of Belgium uses the Emperor’s room for holding official ceremonies. The entire interior of the room is decorated with gold. The ceiling is adorned with huge crystal chandeliers. On the floor, there is an antique carpet, and on the walls – dancing and singing angels are depicted.

The Mirror room makes an unforgettable impression. It was built at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries and was finished with copper and marble. In 2002, a Belgian artist and sculptor, Jan Fabre, turned this building into a true art masterpiece. He decorated the ceiling and one of three chandeliers with precious beetle shells and called his work Heaven of Delight.