COUDENBERG/KOUDENBERG

   The low-lying hill that overlooks the lower town, the Coudenberg ("cold hill" in Dutch), served as the site of the fortress begun by Count Lambert II in the 11th century. The fortress evolved into the Coudenberg Palace, the residence of reigning dukes, which secured the location's status as the area of the upper town where government ministries, banks, and the homes of the well-to-do and influential have been located.