Palace of Academies

Geschiedenis

The Palace of the Academies is a neoclassical palace in Brussels, situated on the Place des Palais / Paleizenplein by the Royal Palace of Brussels and the Brussels Park. Today it houses five Belgian academies including the Royal Academies for Science and the Arts of Belgium. In English language context the Academy Palace is also often called Academy House.The rather austere neoclassical Palace and its handsome stables were built between 1823 and 1828 for Prince William of Orange in recognition of his brilliant action on the field at Waterloo, from funds granted by the nation. It was the joint work of two architects, Charles Vander Straeten and Tilman-François Suys, at a total cost of 1,215,000 florins.The princely family of William of Orange and his princess, Anna Pavlovna, sister of tsars Alexander I and Nicholas I occupied the palace a scant two years before the Belgian Revolution of September 1830 forced them to flee to the Netherlands.