Place des Martyrs - Martelaarsplein, Neoclassical square in central Brussels, Belgium.
Place des Martyrs is a neoclassical square in central Brussels with uniformly designed buildings arranged on all four sides. The symmetrical facades and classical architectural details frame a rectangular open space that sits above an underground crypt.
An architect redesigned a former bleaching field between 1774 and 1776 into this planned square with a classical layout. It later became a symbol of the 1830 Belgian Revolution when many fighters lost their lives in the struggle for independence.
The square serves as a memorial space where people gather to honor those who gave their lives during Belgium's struggle for independence. The stories of the fallen are woven into the identity of this central location.
The square is easily accessible on foot and sits amid other historic sites, making it simple to include in a walking tour. The flat, open layout makes it comfortable to visit, though some of the surrounding buildings may only be viewed from the outside.
Over 400 individuals who died during the revolution rest in an underground crypt beneath the square's cobblestones. This hidden burial chamber makes the place a meaningful location for quiet remembrance.
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