Halle Gate - Porte de Hal - Hallepoort - Brussels medieval gate

First thing to consider when visiting Brussels museums is the Brussels Card. It will most likely save you time and money.

The Porte de Hal (in French), Hallepoort (in Dutch) or 'Halle Gate' is a medieval gate, a fortification for Brussels city in the 14th century. The walls have been completely removed from both sides but the fort itself still stands in a cylindrical shape. With ramparts at the top and a black cone-shaped roof. The exhibit is a part of the Royal Museums of Art and History.

Halle Gate artefacts

On each floor is an exhibit of artefacts from the middle ages. In the basement is the armory exhibit with suits of armor and swords. In the gothic room are more examples of soldier armor, horse armor and maps of the city which the soldiers were guarding. On the next level is the guilds room, medieval craftsmen who created bows and arrows, arrow guns, shields and other armament for protection of the city. The battlement walks at the top offer a spectacular panoramic view of the city, with descriptions of the buildings you see.

For those who are curious, go up to the Neo-gothic roof space to see an empty room but a beautiful structure of the wooden pales woven together to hold up the cone-shaped rooftop. The deep red walls give it a mythical feeling.

Halle Gate atmosphere

Walking inside these authentic walls makes you feel like you are walking the path that soldiers and archers walked while guarding the city from invaders. Everything has been kept the same except for the installation of a modern elevator to aid those who do not want to walk up the three levels on the spiral staircase. The ramparts visit at the top will definitely require walking and also some investigation work to find the hidden passage ways.

All of the doors are kept closed and visitors are encouraged to find and open them to experience the heavy metal locks, still in working condition. At the tapered windows you will notice places where archers would sit on guard ready for enemy attacks.

Porte de Hal is a fascinating journey into the realm of knights.

Opening hours of Halle Gate Brussels

Tuesdays to Fridays from 9:30am to 5pm,
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10am to 5pm

The Halle Gate is closed on Mondays, January 1st, May 1st, November 1st and 11th and December 25th.

Halle Gate ticket prices

The base price for adults is €7. However they have many discounts for students, seniors, groups and many more. This information is best checket at their website. The Halle gate is also free to visit with the Brussels card.

Halle Gate location in Brussels

Porte de Hal can be found at the southern "tip" of the inner pentagonal ring road. There is a metro station called Porte de Hal which exits out to the gate. The height of the tower cannot be missed when you exit the metro station. To get there by driving, simply follow the inner ring road.

Halle Gate address

Boulevard du Midi
1000 Bruxelles
02 533 34 52

brussels.info