No ruler ever lived in this House of the King; rather, it housed Charles V's administrative offices. It was built on the site of Brussels' 13th-century covered market in the 16th century, but was rebuilt in neo-Gothic style towards the end of the 19th century. Today, it houses the Musée Communal, a municipal museum that has some fine tapestries, altarpieces, and paintings, notably the Marriage Procession, by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. On the top floor you can see the extravagant wardrobe of costumes donated to clothe the little statue of Manneken Pis on festive occasions. It's a good idea to book your visit well in advance.
Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip