The Governor’s Mansion served both as a luxurious city residence and as a venue for receiving official guests. The building is the only surviving portion of a vast complex designed by the architects Hendrik Beyaert and Wynand Janssens for the National Bank of Belgium and constructed between 1860 and 1878. As the Governor’s official residence until 1957, the building witnessed many of the events that have marked the country’s monetary and financial history. It is a textbook example of late 19th-century architecture: the imposing staircase, with sculptures of the four continents by Jean Schoonjans, leads up to the various reception rooms, the most spectacular being the function room, with its imposing chandelier by the Compagnie des Bronzes. The building’s sumptuous interior in marble, precious wood, and gilded stucco finds a pleasing complement in the Napoleon III-style furniture. The whole house, including tapestries and murals, has been preserved more or less in its original state.

Guided tours, Sat. & Sun., every 30 mins from 10h00 to 16h30 (French and Dutch).