Grand Place is Brussels central square and one of Europes most beautiful, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. The opulent square is surrounded by ornate 17th-century guildhalls with gilded facades, the Gothic Town Hall with its 96-meter spire, and the neo-Gothic Kings House (Brussels City Museum). The square hosts the famous Flower Carpet event every two years in August and magical Christmas markets in winter. Its breathtaking architecture is especially stunning when illuminated at night.