Vieille Bourse

Description

The "Vieille Bourse" in #Lille, a striking Flemish renaissance landmark, was built 1652-1653 under architect Julien Destrée. Authorized by Philip IV of Spain in 1651 when the city belonged to the Spanish Netherlands, it formed a quadrangle of 24 identical merchant houses surrounding a paved inner courtyard with galleries and four entrances, designed as a majestic trading hub rivaling Antwerp's. A campanile crowned by a Mercury statue symbolizes commerce. It served as Lille's stock exchange until 1921, when a new one opened; the old building was then classified as a historic monument.