Historical Background

The name Brussels is derived from the word Bruocsella meaning "of the marsh", because Brussels was originally surrounded by an extensive marshland. According to tradition, Brussels began as a Gallo-Roman settlement in the 7th Century CE. It wasn't until 977 that Brussels really began to take shape as a city. In the 12th Century the city already had 5000 residents.

During the 12th, 13th and 14th Centuries, Brussels was the main center for the manufacturing of luxurious fabrics, for exporting, and for finance and politics. New city walls were erected around the city to protect against enemy invasion. These walls stood until the 19th Century when they were replaced by a ring road round the city. The only remaining section of the wall still standing is the Porte de Hal.

The Grote Markt, said by many to be the most beautiful market square in Europe, is Brussels’ historical center. In the 15th Century the citizens of Brussels obtained true power and the majestic town hall, with its 96m-high tower was built. Hastily destroyed by Louis XIV’s army during a siege in 1695, the market place took three years to re-build. After this time, Brussels fell into the hands of a number of different rulers from various lands.

In her search for independence, Brussels was often the stage for fighting that continued until the arrival of Charles de Lorraine in 1744. In 1789 the people of Brussels followed the example of revolutionary France and took part in the Brabants' uprising against Austria. In 1790 the United Belgian States was proclaimed. There was much disunity amongst the groupings, and after a number of attacks from the Austrian side, the revolutionary French government took power. Brussels was now in the hands of the French.

In 1815 Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo and after the Vienna Treaty, Brussels came under the dominion of The Netherlands. In 1830 the Belgian Revolution led to independence and Brussels was chosen as the new capital for the state of Belgium.

The city began its modernization during the 19th Century. In 1865, the first European passenger railway was opened between Brussels and Mechelen. New streets were laid and road taxes were abolished. The Palace of Justice was built and the city was extended.

Brussels has survived two world wars. In the post-war years Brussels again began expanding and modernizing. In the year 1958 the World's Fair was held in Brussels and in the 1960s the city became the base for the EEC and NATO.

More or less during the same period, many multinationals established their offices in Brussels. Up to the present day Brussels, with its one million residents, capital of Europe, is where you run into people from all over the world. A new Europe without borders and trade restrictions between member states, the European Union, was formed in 1992.

This small land, divided into different languages, customs and governments is really not so divided. In Flanders, in the north of the country and north of Brussels, the Flemings speak Flemish, a Dutch dialect. Walloon in the south is inhabited by French-speaking people. After the First World War a small area formerly under German rule was handed over to Belgium, and German can still be heard in these parts. Flemish and French are both official languages in Brussels, so you will find everything in the city is bilingual.

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