Royal Palace of Brussels (Belgium)

The Royal Palace of Brussels is the King’s administrative residence and main workplace, where he works daily with his staff. In his office at the Brussels palace, the King receives the representatives of political institutions, foreign guests (heads of state, ambassadors) and other guests. In addition to the office of the King and of the Queen, the Royal Palace plays host to the services of the King’s Household: the King’s Cabinet, the General Secretariat, the Civil List, the Military Household, the Protocol and the Queen’s Secretariat. The other members of the Royal Family also have an office at the Brussels Palace, where their staff work. The Palace comprises also prestige reception rooms where various activities of the King and the Royal Family are organised (work meetings and roundtables, receptions, concerts, lunches, etc.).

Onder het koninklijk paleis van Laken werd door Koning Leopold II na 1890 een heus ondergronds treinstation gebouwd. Tot 10 meter onder de grond, zouden staatsleiders en vorsten per spoor direct tot aan een marmeren trap in het kasteel geraken om er internationale conferenties bij te wonen. Koning Leopold II financierde het treinstation met fondsen die hij ontving uit de toenmalige Congo-Vrijstaat. Koning Albert I, die na de overdracht van Congo aan België niet meer van deze inkomsten genoot, legde de werken stil, en zo werd het treinstation nooit afgewerkt. Volg op Twitter: https://twitter.com/BasedCongo #LeopoldII #Leopold2 #PaleisVanLaken

The Throne Room was Built under the reign of His Majesty King Leopold II and is decorated in the centre by four low reliefs by Auguste Rodin. They represent the economic activities symbolising the Belgian provinces, with the exception of that of Brabant which hosts the Palace on its territory. The Scheldt and the Meuse, symbols of Flanders and Wallonia, by Thomas Vinçotte, are above the doors. Parquet in oak and exotic woods, and bronze and gilded chandeliers confer a monumental and prestigious appearance to the throne room. Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BasedCongo #LeopoldII #Belgium #Royalpalace

The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken, built during the reign of King Leopold II of Belgium, are a stunning testament to royal ambition and botanical grandeur. Located on the grounds of the Royal Castle of Laeken, just outside Brussels, these greenhouses were constructed between 1874 and 1905. Leopold II, known for his lavish taste and obsession with exotic plants, commissioned the greenhouses to house rare and tropical plants from all over the world. The complex includes several glass buildings, each designed to cater to different plant species, ranging from tropical plants to more temperate varieties. The Royal Greenhouses were not just a display of botanical wealth but also served as a manifestation of Belgium's emerging grandeur on the international stage. The Royal Greenhouses reflect the nation's industrial and technological progress, particularly in the realm of architectural innovation, and embody the confidence and ambition of Belgium during the period of its colonial expansion. In this way, the complex symbolizes both the power and modernity of a nation on the rise. Moreover, it transcended its immediate context, influencing the development of contemporary Belgian architecture and contributing to the global diffusion of Art Nouveau principles.

The Mirror Room, the construction of which began under the reign of Leopold II, evokes the Congo. The walls are decorated with marble and copper. King Albert I had the works completed with mirrors on the walls, which were originally intended to feature allegorical scenes evoking Africa. In 2002, Jan Fabre given the opportunity to create a work of art in this space. He covered the ceiling and one of the three chandeliers with nearly a million and a half jewel beetles. This work was entitled “Heaven of Delight.” The room is used regularly to host events. Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BasedCongo #LeopoldII #BelgianCongo #RoyalPalace