Halle Gate, Brussels Travel Guide

The Halle Gate is an imposing reminder of Brussels' medieval past. Built between 1381 and 1383, it was one of seven gates in the city's second defensive wall. Originally called Obbrussel Gate, it was later renamed after the city of Halle, to which the road led. The gate controlled the access of people and goods to the city.Over the centuries, the Halle Gate has served many functions. It has been a customs house, a granary, a place of worship, a home for the homeless, and even a military prison. In the 19th century, while the other gates and defensive walls were demolished to make way for the inner ring road, the Halle Gate was spared due to its use as a prison.Between 1868 and 1871, the gate was restored by architect Henri Beyaert, who transformed it into a neo-Gothic castle. Today, the Halle Gate houses a museum dedicated to the medieval City of Brussels. Visitors can explore exhibits of medieval armor and artifacts, walk through the original central passage with its embrasures and drawbridge, discover the 14th-century vaulted rooms, and climb to the top for a breathtaking 360° view of the city.