Property: La Grand-Place, Brussels
Id. N°: 857
State Party: Belgium
Criteria: C (ii)(iv)
The Committee inscribed this site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv):
Criterion (ii): The Grand-Place is an outstanding example of the eclectic and highly successful blending of architectural and artistic styles that characterizes the culture and society of this region.
Criterion (iv): Through the nature and quality of its architecture and of its outstanding quality as a public open space, the Grand-Place illustrates in an exceptional way the evolution and achievements of a highly successful mercantile city of northern Europe at the height of its prosperity.
In thanking the Committee for these first Belgian inscriptions to the List, the Observer of Belgium offered his country's services in reducing the imbalance of representativity of African countries in the World Heritage List, in the framework of the Global Strategy and the Programme Africa 2009.