Editing Brussels (section)

===Late modern===
[[File:Wappers - Episodes from September Days 1830 on the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville in Brussels.JPG|thumb|left|''Episode of the [[Belgian Revolution]] of 1830'', [[Gustaf Wappers]], 1834]]

In 1830, the [[Belgian Revolution]] began in Brussels, after a performance of [[Daniel-Francois-Esprit Auber|Auber's]] opera ''[[La Muette de Portici]]'' at the [[La Monnaie|Royal Theatre of La Monnaie]].{{sfn|Slatin|1979|p=53–54}} The city became the capital and seat of government of the new nation. South Brabant was renamed simply [[Province of Brabant|Brabant]], with Brussels as its administrative centre. On 21 July 1831, [[Leopold I of Belgium|Leopold I]], the first [[King of the Belgians]], ascended the throne,{{sfn|Pirenne|1948|p=30}} undertaking the destruction of the city walls and the construction of many buildings.{{sfn|Demey|2009|p=96}}

Following independence, Brussels underwent many more changes. It became a financial centre, thanks to the dozens of companies launched by the ''[[Société Générale de Belgique]]''. The [[Industrial Revolution]] and the opening of the [[Brussels–Charleroi Canal]] in 1832 brought prosperity to the city through commerce and manufacturing.{{sfn|Charruadas|2005}}{{sfn|Demey|2009|p=96–97}} The [[Free University of Brussels (1834–1969)|Free University of Brussels]] was established in 1834 and [[Saint-Louis University, Brussels|Saint-Louis University]] in 1858. In 1835, the [[History of rail transport in Belgium|first passenger railway]] built outside England linked the municipality of [[Molenbeek-Saint-Jean]] with [[Mechelen]].{{sfn|Wolmar|2010|p=18–20}}

[[File:Bruxelles, Place Royale, -Brussels, Belgium--LCCN2001697909.jpg|thumb|The [[Place Royale, Brussels|Place Royale/Koningsplein]] in the late 19th century]]

During the 19th century, the population of Brussels grew considerably; from about 80,000 to more than 625,000 people for the city and its surroundings. The Senne had become a serious [[health hazard]], and from 1867 to 1871, under the tenure of the [[mayor of the City of Brussels|city's then-mayor]], [[Jules Anspach]], its entire course through the urban area was [[covering of the Senne|completely covered over]].{{sfn|Demey|1990|p=65}} This allowed [[urban renewal]] and the construction of modern buildings of ''[[Haussmann's renovation of Paris|Haussmann]]-esque'' style along grand [[Central Boulevards of Brussels|central boulevards]], characteristic of downtown Brussels today.{{sfn|Eggericx|1997|p=5}} Buildings such as the [[Brussels Stock Exchange]] (1873), the [[Palais de Justice, Brussels|Palace of Justice]] (1883) and [[Saint Mary's Royal Church]] (1885) date from this period. This development continued throughout the reign of King [[Leopold II of Belgium|Leopold II]]. The [[Brussels International Exposition (1897)|International Exposition of 1897]] contributed to the promotion of the infrastructure.{{sfn|Schroeder-Gudehus|Rasmussen|1992}} Among other things, the [[Africa Palace|Palace of the Colonies]], today's [[Royal Museum for Central Africa]], in the suburb of [[Tervuren]], was connected to the capital by the construction of an [[Avenue de Tervueren|{{convert|11|km|mi|adj=mid|abbr=on|-long}} grand alley]].

Brussels became one of the major European cities for the development of the [[Art Nouveau in Brussels|Art Nouveau]] style in the 1890s and early 1900s.{{sfn|Culot|Pirlot|2005}} The architects [[Victor Horta]], [[Paul Hankar]], and [[Henry van de Velde]], among others, were known for their designs, many of which survive today.<ref name=":6" />