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The beginning of Brussels dates back to 979 AD, when Charles, the banished son of Louis IV of France, built a small castle on an island. This island was surrounded by the Zenne River. At the end of the tenth century, the island was taken over by Lambert I of Leven. His son, Lambert II constructed the first city walls to fortify the castle. By 1357, these city walls had already become too small, so construction began on the new city walls that today make up the inner ring or the pentagon.

In 1695, the heart of the city was destroyed when King Louis XIV of France attacked Brussels. More than 400 homes went up in flames, but miraculously, the city walls survived.

In 1830, the Belgium Revolution occurred and Leopold I took the throne. Under his reign, the city walls were destroyed, but many other buildings were constructed. His son, Leopold II, also brought about changes in the city as he culverted the Zenne River, built the North-South Junction, and laid out the Tervuren Avenue.

In 1996, Brussels became a spiritual site for Muslims as they mourned the death of the leader of the Muslim Somalians, who died in a car accident in Brussels. Somalians now gather at the site of the accident every year on April 7th to honor him.

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