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The royal square lies at the Koudenberg/Coudenberg, a natural
hill at the edge of the medieval city center. Here, the
duke of Brabant had a castle built in the 11th century.
His successors left the city of Leuven, which had been the
old capital of the dukedom and chose the castle in Brussels
as their permanent residence.
In the course of the following centuries, the dukes of
Burgundy and, later, the Habsburg kings and emperors all
adapted the castle to their needs and wishes. Between 1452
and 1459 Philip the Good of Burgundy had the Magna Aula
constructed.
This hall was meant for the many meetings of the Council
of Brabant and other festivities. By the 16th century, the
palace had become one of the most impressive and picturesque
royal residences in Europe. It also had a magnificent garden,
which is now the royal park.
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