About this place
La Monnaie / De Munt (French: Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie) is Belgium's principal opera house, standing on the Place de la Monnaie in the heart of Brussels. Its name comes from the ducal mint that once occupied the site — "monnaie" being French for coin or currency.
Where did the opera on this site come from?
The first theatre here opened in 1700, commissioned by Gio Paolo Bombarda, a banker and financial adviser at the court of Maximilian II Emanuel of Bavaria. It was designed by Italian architects Paolo and Pietro Bezzi and built on the grounds of a former mint known as the "Herberge van Oistervant." For more than a century this original building served Brussels as its main venue for musical performances.
How did the building change over the centuries?
At the start of the 19th century, under Napoleonic rule, the theatre underwent a major renovation designed by French architect Louis Damesme, who gave it the neoclassical façade still visible today, completed in 1819. The building's fortunes changed dramatically in 1855, when fire destroyed the interior, leaving only the façade standing. Reconstruction was entrusted to architect Joseph Poelaert — also known for Brussels' monumental Palace of Justice — who unveiled the third version of the theatre in 1856, this time in an eclectic style blending French and Italian influences. Poelaert's auditorium seats around 1,130 people. Twenty years later, in 1876, architect Gédéon Bordiau added an extra floor and fitted the building with one of the earliest sophisticated ventilation and air-conditioning systems used in a theatre of its kind.
What role did the opera house play in Belgian history?
La Monnaie is remembered not only as a musical stage but as a site of genuine political significance. In August 1830, during a performance of Auber's opera "La Muette de Portici," the aria "Amour sacré de la patrie" (Sacred love of the fatherland) stirred the audience to such a degree that they poured out of the theatre shouting "Vive la liberté." The moment is regarded as the spark that ignited the Belgian Revolution, which led to the founding of the independent Kingdom of Belgium.
What changed inside the theatre in modern times?
Between 1985 and 1986, architect Charles Vandenhove of Liège devised a new design concept for the building's entrance space. To realize his vision he commissioned two American artists: Sol LeWitt, who created a fan-shaped floor pattern in black and white, and Sam Francis, who painted the triptych adorning the ceiling. These contemporary artistic interventions sit in deliberate contrast with the historic 19th-century architecture of the main auditorium, giving the entrance area its distinctive blend of eras.
What is the opera house's status today?
The building is now home to the National Opera of Belgium (Opéra National / Nationale Opera), a federal institution that receives direct financial support from the Belgian government — one of only a handful of cultural institutions in the country to do so. The theatre is regarded as Belgium's leading opera venue and one of the most significant on the European continent, drawing opera and ballet audiences from across the region.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the name "La Monnaie" come from? From the ducal mint that previously stood on the site.
How many seats does the auditorium have? Around 1,130, in the hall designed by Joseph Poelaert.
What historical event is linked to this building? A performance in August 1830 that triggered the outbreak of the Belgian Revolution and the drive for independence.
Who designed the theatre's modern entrance? Architect Charles Vandenhove, working with artists Sol LeWitt and Sam Francis.
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