The central square of Brussels, one of the most spectacular in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gilded Gothic town hall and the ornate baroque guild houses that line the square were mostly rebuilt after the French bombardment of 1695 (the town hall survived and set the tone for the reconstruction). Every other August, the square is covered by the Flower Carpet — nearly a million begonias arranged in an enormous tapestry. Otherwise, it is best seen in the early morning or after dark, when the lights on the facades are at their best.
Grand-Place
Brussels's gilded Gothic square, UNESCO-listed and best at dawn