Grand Ducal Palace

The beautiful sixteenth-century Renaissance building you see here is the Grand Ducal Palace. We’re right in the heart of the old town. This is where lightning struck the Jacobins church in 1554, exploding its stockpile of gunpowder. As a result, a large proportion of houses were destroyed and work began in the city centre that would last 20 years. The town hall was rebuilt in 1572. In 1817, the town hall became the Government House. It was the king’s governor’s residence. In 1890, the King of the Netherlands died without leaving any heirs, and the duchy was given to a distant cousin, Grand Duke Adolphe. It was he who began to use the palace as his principal residence. Today, it is more a place of work than a real residence. For instance, this is where the Grand Duke welcomes visiting heads of state. The majestic interior and ceremonial rooms can only be visited in summer, and there is an entrance fee. In the meantime, you can admire the beautiful façade, which is a superb example of Flemish Renaissance style. The palace is guarded by the castle guards. If you’re lucky, you may see the changing of the guard, which takes place solemnly once a month.