Brussel Grote Markt

Gold and stone in the heart of Brussels

The Grote Markt in Brussels is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. That might sound like an obligatory remark, but when you stand there on an evening and the light from the illuminated facades falls across the cobblestones, you understand why Victor Hugo once called it 'the most beautiful theatre in the world'. The guild houses are covered in gilded ornaments and sculptures. In good light, they seem to glow.

When to photograph here

The blue hour here is almost magical. In the twenty minutes after sunset you get a balance between the artificial light on the facades and the remaining daylight in the sky. The sky turns deep blue, the golden details of the buildings pop. Set up your tripod, find a spot in one of the corners of the square and work with a focal length between 24mm and 35mm. That way you keep both the foreground and the tallest spire in the frame.

During the day the square is full of tourists. That is not necessarily a problem. From a street photography point of view, the crowds actually offer opportunities: people looking up, pointing, phones in the air. But for architectural shots without figures, you need to be early. In summer it is already light at six in the morning and the square is largely empty.

The flower carpet

Every two years, in August, the Grote Markt is covered with a carpet of begonias. The pattern spans around 1,800 square metres. Photographically it is a spectacular situation, but also a busy one. The best images are made from above, from inside the town hall. Brussels town hall offers access to the upper floors during the event. Check in advance when that is possible, as the opening times vary from one edition to the next.

Practical

The Grote Markt is located in the pedestrian area of the city centre. You cannot drive right up to it. Your best option for parking is one of the nearby underground car parks, such as Parking Albertine or Parking Grand Place. By public transport the location is easy to reach via metro station Gare Centrale or by tram. As an individual photographer you do not need a permit, but different rules apply for commercial shoots involving large equipment. Check that with the municipality of Brussels.

Sources and further reading

• Bezoek Brussel, officiële toeristische site
• Bloementapijt Brussel, officiële site
• Stad Brussel, stadhuis en bezoekersinfo
• Wikipedia: Grote Markt Brussel