Maison du Roi, Brussels — Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Despite its name, no king has ever lived in the Maison du Roi (King's House). The building's Dutch name, Broodhuis (Bread House), is more honest, referring to its 13th-century origins as a bread market on the Grand-Place. The "King's House" title came from its later owners, the Dukes of Brabant, who were also sovereigns. The neo-Gothic building visible today was rebuilt by architect Victor Jamaer in the last quarter of the 19th century, replacing an earlier structure that had deteriorated beyond repair. Since its inauguration as a museum in 1887, it has housed the Brussels City Museum, telling the story of the city from medieval times through the modern era. The collection holds over 7,000 items: artifacts, paintings, tapestries, porcelain figurines, and sculptures documenting Brussels' evolution. But the most popular exhibit is undoubtedly on the second floor, where Manneken Pis's entire wardrobe of over 600 outfits is displayed. World leaders, organizations, and countries have gifted costumes to the little statue over the centuries, and seeing them all assembled in one place is both impressive and wonderfully absurd. The Maison du Roi was recognized as a national heritage site in 1936 and became part of the Grand-Place's UNESCO World Heritage designation in 2000. A Questo quest through Brussels connects the Maison du Roi with Manneken Pis himself and the other Grand-Place buildings, weaving together the stories of the guilds, the monarchs, and the irreverent little statue who outshines them all.