BRUSSELS, Belgium — A statue crowns one of the historic buildings on Grand Place, Brussels' central medieval square. These architectural sculptures, reconstructed after the French bombardment of 1695, demonstrate the elaborate decorative program of the square's guild houses. The statuary represents part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site's rich architectural heritage.
Photograph by David Coleman. The rooftop statuary of Grand Place (La Grand-Place in French, Grote Markt in Dutch) exemplifies the elaborate architectural ornamentation that characterizes Brussels' premier historic square. These sculptural elements were created during the reconstruction period following the 1695 French bombardment, showcasing the sophisticated craftsmanship of Belgian Baroque architecture. The statues typically represented either allegorical figures, patron saints of the guilds, or symbols of the trades practiced within the buildings they adorned. Each sculptural element was carefully positioned to create a harmonious architectural composition while serving as a visual identifier for the guild house below. The statuary, crafted from stone, forms part of the elaborate decorative scheme that contributed to Grand Place's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. These architectural details reflect the wealth and prestige of the merchant guilds that dominated Brussels' commercial life in the late 17th and 18th centuries.
Size: 4453px × 6672px
Location: Grand Place, Arrondissement Brussel-Hoofdstad, Brussels Capital Region, Belgium
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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