In the inner courtyard ofBrussels City Hall, a large star-shaped paving pattern has long fueled urban legends. Legend has it that the building’s architect threw himself from the top of the tower into the courtyard, distraught upon discovering that the right and left sides of the building were not symmetrical once construction was complete. The star is said to mark the spot where he landed. However, this geometric pattern serves a much more practical purpose.
City Hall: The Beating Heart of Brussels Life
Overlooking Brussels’ Grand-Place,City Hall is a masterpiece of Brabantine Gothic architecture listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A symbol of six centuries of history, this iconic monument has left a lasting impression on people’s minds, as exemplified by Victor Hugo, who described it as a “dazzling poet’s fantasy.” Its famous 96-meter openwork spire, crowned by a gilded statue of Saint Michael slaying the dragon, watches over the capital. Inside, the building reveals exceptional splendor, with a monumental staircase and rooms sumptuously decorated with tapestries and sculptures.
City Hall remains the beating heart of Brussels life. A premier venue for swearing-in ceremonies and receptions for heads of state, it also hosts major cultural events, such as the legendary intimate Candlelight concerts. Blending centuries-old history with contemporary influence, this monument retains all its prestige.
The Paved Star: the capital’s kilometer zero
The very real asymmetry of the facade, with its off-center tower, can be easily explained by the history of the construction project. The building was not erected in a single phase. The builders had to adapt as they went along to the constraints of the terrain at the time, which inevitably skewed the proportions of the structure as a whole. As forthe star marked on the ground, it symbolizes Brussels’ kilometer zero. This is the exact geographical reference point from which all distances between the capital and other cities are calculated.
If, for example, a road sign in Namur indicates that Brussels is 55 kilometers away, this means that the driver is exactly 55 kilometers from this paved star. The next time you walk through the courtyard, you’ll know that you’re standing at the true nerve center of the road network leading to the city—far from the myth of the fallen architect.
