Belgium Architecture

Belgian Architecture is characterized by its diverse array of styles, reflecting the country’s position at the crossroads of Latin and Germanic cultures and the various European influences it has absorbed over the centuries. Its architectural timeline spans from preserved medieval structures in cities like Bruges and Ghent to the ornate townhouses and grand squares of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, as seen in Brussels’ Grand Place. The Neoclassical wave in the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries brought grandeur, simplicity, and symmetry to public buildings. One of the most distinctive periods, however, was the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, when Belgian architects, including Victor Horta, were at the forefront of the Art Nouveau movement, pioneering innovative designs and the use of new materials.