History of Brussels Timeline

(c. 979 - Present)

Brussels, the capital of Belgium and de facto capital of the European Union, has evolved from a 10th-century settlement on the Senne River into a major international political hub. Its history spans medieval prosperity under the Dukes of Brabant, rule by Burgundy, Spain, Austria, France, and the Netherlands, its role as Belgium's capital after independence in 1830, and its transformation into a center of European and global governance. More Less

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Ancient Origins

Celtic tribes settle in the region

1000 BCE - 800 BCE

Around 1000–800 BCE, Celtic tribes settled in the region of what would later become Brussels, establishing some of the earliest known human presence in the area.

Image source: Brussels

Farmers settle cleared land in the Bronze and Iron Ages

800 BC

During the Bronze and Iron Ages, farmers settled on cleared land in the Brussels region, laying the agricultural foundations of the future city.

La Tène settlement at Champ Saint-Anne in Anderlecht

500 BC - 100 BC

From the 5th to the 1st century BCE, the La Tène culture maintained a settlement on the Champ Saint-Anne/Sint-Annaveld in Anderlecht.

Image source: La Tène culture

Roman villas built along the Senne

1 CE - 200

In the Roman period, villas were established on both banks of the Senne during the 1st and 2nd centuries CE, including sites in Stalle, Laeken, Jette, and Anderlecht, the latter built on the former Neolithic settlement site.

Image source: Gallo-Roman culture

Frankish tribes occupy the region

300 - 600

By the 4th–6th centuries CE, Frankish tribes occupied the territories between the Meuse and Scheldt rivers, reshaping the population of the Brussels area.

Image source: Franks

Medieval Brussels

Brussels grows from an agricultural community

700

Current research suggests that Brussels developed gradually from an agricultural community that expanded rapidly from the 8th century onwards.

Polynuclear development of medieval Brussels

1000 - 1200

By the 11th–12th centuries, Brussels consisted of a loose network of residential centres, a pattern described as the 'polynuclear' character of medieval towns.

First reliable mention of Brussels as a portus

1015 - 1020

The first reliable mention of Brussels dates from around 1015–1020, describing the settlement as a portus, a loading and unloading site on the Senne, likely associated with nearby dwellings whose locations remain uncertain.

Chapter of canons founded at Saint Michael's Church

1050

Alongside Gaugericus Church and the Coudenberg lordship, a chapter of secular canons was founded in the mid-11th century at the area around Saint Michael's Church, one of Brussels' key religious centres.

Image source: Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula

Textile neighbourhood built around the Chapel Church

1100

Archaeological evidence points to small settlements near today's Place de la Vieille Halle aux Blés/Oud Korenhuis, and planned districts like the early 12th-century textile neighbourhood around the Chapel Church, today's Marollen district.

Image source: Marollen

Brussels becomes a major political and economic centre

1209 - 1406

Between 1209 and 1406, Brussels evolved into a major political, economic, and cultural centre of the Low Countries.

Grand Oath of the Crossbowmen founded and Meyboom planted

1213

The early 13th century saw the establishment of key civic institutions: the Grand Royal and Noble Oath of the Crossbowmen of Our Lady of Sablon, and the planting of the Meyboom, a tradition that continues to this day.

Image source: Meyboom

Neighbouring villages join the Coop

1300 - 1400

In the 14th century, Schaerbeek, Etterbeek, Laeken, Anderlecht, Obbrussel, and Forest joined the Coop, while the Brussels Revolt and subsequent suppression of craftsmen shaped the city's governance.

Image source: Schaerbeek

Everard t'Serclaes liberates the city

1356

Everard t'Serclaes liberated Brussels in 1356. He later suffered mutilation and death in 1388, prompting a military expedition against Gaasbeek Castle.

Image source: Everard t'Serclaes

Geert Pipenpoy becomes Brussels' first mayor

1380

Civic governance advanced as Geert Pipenpoy became the city's first mayor in 1380. In this era the Halle Gate was built, construction of the Town Hall began, and the Court of Auditors was established.

Image source: Brussels Town Hall

Population reaches 20,000 despite destructive fires

1400 - 1406

Brussels' population reached around 20,000 by 1400, despite destructive fires that ravaged the city in 1405–1406.

Anthony the Great Bastard makes his Joyous Entry

1406

In 1406, Anthony the Great Bastard made his Joyous Entry into Brussels, and by 1407 a fire brigade had been organised, though water supply remained limited.

Image source: Joyous entry

Homines Intelligentiae prosecuted; Brethren of the Common Life settle

1410

The early 15th century saw significant social and religious movements in Brussels, including the prosecution of the Homines Intelligentiae and the settlement of the Brethren of the Common Life.

Guilds join city governance alongside the Seven Noble Houses

1421

Political tensions between Duke John IV and the States of Brabant led to the guilds' participation in city governance alongside the Seven Noble Houses in 1421, part of early democratic reforms in Brussels.

Brussels joins the Burgundian State under Philip the Good

1430

In 1430, Brussels became part of the Burgundian State under Duke Philip the Good, beginning a period of significant political and cultural flourishing under Burgundian rule.

Image source: Burgundian State

Spanish and Austrian Rule

Postal services established and Miracle of 1511 occurs

1500 - 1556

From the late 15th to the mid-16th century, Brussels developed under Habsburg influence: postal services were established, the Miracle of 1511 occurred, De Moluccis Insulis was published, and Lutheran, Munsterite, and Mennonite communities arose.

Image source: Stille Omgang

Manneken Pis recast in bronze amid Spanish rule

1556 - 1711

Between 1556 and 1711, Brussels was a focal point of change under Spanish rule. Iconic developments included the recasting of Manneken Pis in bronze, construction of theatres and fortifications, and the creation of brotherhoods and civic charities throughout the 17th century.

Image source: Manneken Pis

Plague strikes Brussels

1575

Brussels suffered devastating plague epidemics in 1575 and again in 1634, killing many inhabitants during the turbulent era of Spanish rule.

French bombardment devastates Brussels

1695

The French bombardment of 1695 was the most devastating military attack on Brussels, but the city rebuilt its Grand-Place and continued to flourish.

Image source: Bombardment of Brussels

Theatre of La Monnaie and Royal Academy of Fine Arts open

1700

After rebuilding from the bombardment, Brussels flourished culturally, culminating in the opening of the Theatre of La Monnaie and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.

Image source: La Monnaie

Peter the Great visits Brussels; La Monnaie sold to Meeûs

Apr 1717

In April 1717, Peter the Great visited Brussels, and later that year the Theatre of La Monnaie was sold to Jean-Baptiste Meeûs.

François Anneessens executed on the Grand-Place

Sep 1719

In September 1719, François Anneessens, a symbol of resistance to Austrian authority, was executed on the Grand-Place. In March 1724, the Senne flooded, leaving the lower town under water.

Image source: Place Anneessens

Palace of Coudenberg destroyed by fire

Feb 1731

The Palace of Coudenberg was destroyed by fire in February 1731, a major loss for the city. In 1733, new burial regulations were introduced to limit the spread of disease.

Image source: Palace of Coudenberg

Charles Alexander of Lorraine enters Brussels; Manneken Pis stolen

1744 - 1749

Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine entered Brussels in 1744, the year before English troops stole the Manneken Pis statue, later returned by the residents of Geraardsbergen. In early 1746, French forces besieged and captured the city during the War of the Austrian Succession, though it was returned to Austria by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1749.

Image source: Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine

Urban expansion: new squares and palaces built

1750 - 1800

In the second half of the 18th century, urban development accelerated: Brussels Park, the Rue Royale/Koningsstraat, Place des Martyrs/Martelaarsplein, and Place Royale/Koningsplein were laid out, while the Palace of the Council of Brabant (today's Palace of the Nation), the Royal Palace, and the Palace of Laeken were constructed.

Image source: Place Royale, Brussels

Revolution and France

Street clashes trigger the Brabant Revolution

1787 - 1790

Street clashes with Austrian troops in 1787–88 helped trigger the Brabant Revolution, during which Brussels briefly became the capital of the short-lived United Belgian States.

Image source: Brabant Revolution

French troops occupy Brussels

1792 - 1794

Austrian control was soon restored after the Brabant Revolution, but the city was occupied by French troops in 1792, lost, and retaken in 1794 following the Battle of Fleurus.

Image source: Battle of Fleurus (1794)

Brussels annexed by France as capital of the Dyle

1795

In 1795, Brussels was formally annexed by France and became the capital of the department of the Dyle.

Image source: Dyle (department)

Brussels surpasses 66,000 inhabitants; first Fire Brigade founded

1800

By 1800, Brussels counted over 66,000 inhabitants and had founded its first professional Fire Brigade, marking its growth into a major modern city.

Key Facts

Brussels is traditionally founded around 979 AD, when Charles, Duke of Lower Lotharingia, settled on Saint-Gery island in the Senne River.
The city flourished under the Dukes of Brabant and later the Dukes of Burgundy, becoming an important center of trade, textiles, and courtly life in the late medieval period.
After Belgian independence in 1830, Brussels was established as the capital of the newly formed Kingdom of Belgium, experiencing rapid industrialization and growth in the 19th century.
Following World War II, Brussels became the headquarters of key international institutions, hosting NATO since 1967 and serving as the seat of the European Union's main institutions.
Today, Greater Brussels (the Brussels-Capital Region) is officially bilingual in French and Dutch and is home to around 1.2 million people, making it one of Europe's most multicultural cities.

Source

This History of Brussels timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

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