Palace of the Count of Flanders

Coordinates: 50°50′30″N 4°21′32″E / 50.841652°N 4.358799°E / 50.841652; 4.358799

The Palace of the Count Of Flanders is a Neoclassical palace in Coudenberg, Brussels, opposite the Museum of Fine Arts. Currently it houses the Court of Audit of Belgium.

The elegant Neoclassical residence was built in the late 18th century as the town house of Marquis Paul Arconati-Visconti, the Mayor of Brussels.^[1] The Count of Flanders bought this residence one year before his marriage, in 1866. He had the palace renovated by his architect Gustave Saintenoy.^[2] It features a small inner garden, which leads to the Entry of Honour. Following the completion of the renovations, the new Count and Countess made it their family home.^[3] King Albert I was born here, and his brother Prince Baudouin died here. After the death of the Count, his children sold the residence to the Banque de Bruxelles.

Saintenoy designed the great ball room, but unfortunately this fine room was destroyed in 1921. Inside, the major rooms with fine interiors are kept in the state they were during the royal residence.^[4] The palace became a listed monument on 6 September 2001.^[5]

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