Brussels: area by area: The Upper Town – Quartier Royal

The royal square lies at the Koudenberg/Coudenberg, a natural hill at the edge of the medieval city centre. Here, the duke of Brabant had a castle built in the 11th century.
His successors left the city of Leuven, which had been the old capital of the dukedom and chose the castle in Brussels as their permanent residence. In the course of the following centuries, the dukes of Burgundy and, later, the Habsburg kings and emperors all adapted the castle to their needs and wishes.
Between 1452 and 1459 Philip the Good of Burgundy had the Magna Aula constructed. This hall was meant for the many meetings of the Council of Brabant and other festivities. By the 16th century, the palace had become one of the most impressive and picturesque royal residences in Europe. It also had a magnificent garden, which is now the royal park.