The Swan

The Swan is a historic building on the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium. Commemorative plaques recall some historical events that took place there. The Swaene was mentioned in the 14th century as an inn with a garden. In 1523, the owner Apollonia van Oudergem had the house rebuilt with a wooden facade aligned with the neighboring buildings. After the French bombardment, the building was rebuilt for the second time in 1698 by financier Pierre Fariseau, co-founder of the music academy. He called upon architect Cornelis van Nerven for this. In 1720, The Swan became the property of the butchers' guild. A chronogram on the facade reminds that the butchers renovated the upper section that year with the proceeds from wool sales. The three allegorical statues by Jan de Kinder on the cornice were replaced in 1899 by work from Charles Samuel. They represent butchery, abundance, and agriculture respectively.

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