City of Brussels

The City of Brussels is the central municipality of the Brussels-Capital Region in Belgium, encompassing several distinct urban districts. The medieval core forms the center, surrounded by sprawling neighborhoods with wide boulevards and residential streets extending toward the southern outskirts.

The settlement began in 580 when a small chapel was built on a river island, attracting the first inhabitants. By the 13th century, the place grew into an important trading town and received municipal rights, consolidating its economic role.

In most neighborhoods, French-speaking and Dutch-speaking communities live alongside one another, which shows in the bilingual street signs and public announcements. Visitors often notice that shopkeepers and waiters switch effortlessly between both languages depending on who is in front of them.

The central train station offers direct connections to several European capitals and links to the city metro system. Pedestrians can cross the historic center in less than 30 minutes, while public transport also reaches outlying neighborhoods.

The municipal administration covers two separate territories: the main area around the historic center and a narrow southern corridor along a grand avenue. This unusual geographic split arose in the 19th century through urban incorporation negotiations between neighboring administrative units.

Location: Arrondissement of Brussels-Capital

Elevation above the sea: 70 m

Operator: Ville de Bruxelles - Stad Brussel

Part of: Brussels-Capital Region, Brussels Fire Department, Police Zone: Brussels - Ixelles

Shares border with: Ixelles - Elsene, Saint-Gilles - Sint-Gillis, Uccle, Watermael-Boitsfort / Watermaal-Bosvoorde, Etterbeek, Schaerbeek, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Evere, Zaventem, Machelen, Vilvoorde, Grimbergen, Wemmel, Jette, Molenbeek, Anderlecht

Address: Brussels, Belgium

Phone: +3222792211

Website: https://brussel.be

GPS coordinates: 50.84656,4.35170

Latest update: December 3, 2025 09:03