The Royal Palace of Brussels is not only the seat of the Belgian monarchy. It’s also full of mysteries and fascinating stories! From the secret passage beneath its foundations to controversial works of art, every nook and cranny of this historic monument hides a surprising anecdote. Here are five astonishing facts that will make you see this place in a whole new light!
A palace rebuilt on the ruins of another
Today’s Royal Palace is heir to the former Court of the Dukes of Brabant, built over a thousand years ago on the Coudenberg hill. After a devastating fire in 1731, the old palace was reduced to ashes, and its remains disappeared underground. It was on these foundations that King William I of the Netherlands began construction of the new palace in 1820. Over the decades, notably under Leopold II in 1904, the palace was transformed, incorporating elements of the Louis XVI style. Recent renovations under Queen Paola in 2002 and structural work in 2010 have completed the Palace’s restoration!
Hidden messages in the Hall of Mirrors
The Hall of Mirrors in the Palais Royal is particularly intriguing, with its opulent marble and copper decor. Initially designed during the reign of Leopold II to evoke the glory of the Belgian Congo, the room was completed by Albert I, who added mirrors. In 2002, at the request of Queen Paola, artist Jan Fabre created an astonishing work of art. Nearly 1.5 million beetle elytra now adorn its ceilings… However, more intriguingly, the work conceals provocative messages about Belgium’s colonial history, including motifs symbolizing the brutality suffered by the Congolese under Leopold II. Who’d have thought it?
Secret passages beneath the palace
The Royal Palace hides another secret: a network of underground passages. For a long time, their existence was a rumor. But the reality is far more surprising! Underneath the Warande Park, a military complex completed in 1939 was actually designed! And for what purpose? To protect the royal family and its ministers from bombardment. During the Cold War, the tunnels were even converted into fallout shelters! Although the site is now disused, the entrances remain secret.
A blood-curdling legend: the Lady in White
The story of the White Lady is one of the most enduring legends surrounding Brussels’ Royal Palace. According to popular legend, she is the spirit of a young woman who was wrongly imprisoned and starved to death in the palace’s dungeons. Since then, her ghost has haunted the place… He appears as a pale, ethereal figure, wandering silently through the corridors. Although this story may seem like a scary tale, it is still very much alive in the collective imagination.
The Palais Royal, an unexpected film location
The Palais Royal was also the setting for a groundbreaking documentary about Queen Elisabeth of Belgium. It’s called Élisabeth, la drôle de Reine de Belgique. Broadcast on Secrets d’Histoire, the program revealed intimate aspects of the Belgian monarchy through the lens of the camera. The Royal Palace is revealed in a new light, far removed from mere official ceremonies.
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