Porte de Hal (Halle Gate), Brussels

A fortified city gate with roots in medieval times, the Halle was an integral part of the second set of walls encircling Brussels, constructed in the late 14th century. Historically, the gate featured a drawbridge spanning a moat and is one of the original seven gateways, now the sole survivor. Over time, it served various purposes, including as a prison, customs house, grain storage facility, and even as a church.

In the 19th century, Belgian architect Henri Beyaert embarked on a restoration project in 1868, which introduced neo-Gothic elements, turrets, and an expansive roof to the structure. In the latter part of the 1800s, the Halle housed artifacts from the Museum of Armor, Antiquity, and Ethnology. A more comprehensive restoration took place in 2007, involving the reopening of the Saint Gilles entrance complete with its drawbridge feature.

Recently, the Halle became part of the Royal Museums of Art and History ("Musées royaux d'Art et d'Histoire"), with exhibitions dedicated to the building's history, as well as that of the City of Brussels and its defense. The museum is organized into distinct sections on separate floors, including:

- an Armor and Armaments display located in a small room off the central passage;
- the Gothic Room above, which narrates the history of Brussels' fortifications and the Halle Gate;
- the Guilds Room, offering insights into the roles of the city's trade guilds;
- a space for temporary exhibitions;
- a walkway that encircles the battlements, providing panoramic views of the city;
- a rooftop area utilized for smaller exhibitions.