Located on Boulevard du Midi, the Halle Gate is a unique reminder of Brussels’ medieval past. Built in 1381, it is the last remaining vestige of the city’s second defensive wall. Once a fortified gateway, it has survived through the centuries by serving various functions before becoming an essential museum dedicated to Brussels’ heritage.
Galerie photos
Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A fortress at the heart of history
Originally known as the Obbrussel Gate, it once ensured the defense of Brussels and was guarded by different guilds over time. Militarily decommissioned as early as 1564, it survived the demolition of the city walls between 1818 and 1840, which were replaced by the boulevards of the inner ring.
A preserved and transformed monument
In the 19th century, the Halle Gate nearly disappeared. Thanks to preservation efforts, it was restored and redesigned by architect Henri Beyaert. He gave it a Neo-Gothic style by adding an imposing roof, battlements, and a monumental staircase tower.
A museum bearing witness to Brussels’ past
Since 1847, the Halle Gate has housed a museum that has successively displayed weapons, ethnographic objects, and antiquities. Today, it presents the history of Brussels, its guilds, and its traditions, while also hosting temporary exhibitions.
Among its most remarkable pieces, visitors can admire the parade armor of Archduke Albert of Habsburg, his taxidermied horse and that of Infanta Isabella, as well as objects linked to medieval trade guilds.
A historic site worth discovering
Restored in 2007 and reopened to the public in 2008, the Halle Gate offers a fascinating dive into the history of Brussels. With both permanent and temporary exhibitions, it is an essential stop for lovers of heritage and urban history.
