The medieval city walls of Brussels once counted 7 gates. 6 of them disappeared. 1 gate remains. 

Porte de Hal/Hallepoort survived a bombing and a demolition order. While the other city gates gave way to avenues and new urban development, this one is the only city gate still standing. Throughout the centuries, it has been a city gate, a prison, a granary and even a chapel. Today, the gate is a museum. 

Inside you can take narrow stairs along thick stone walls. Each room takes you on a journey through time. You can easily imagine what Brussels used to look like, circled by fortifications and sieges.

From the top of the gate, the breath-taking view tells the rest of the story. The city walls are gone. Wide boulevards have replaced the moats. And the metro now runs where horsemen once rode.

But the gate has been standing firm for over 6 centuries. You’ll understand why if you stop for a bit.