This great square is surrounded by palaces. The Royal Palace is particularly imposing. Its arched colonnade façade was built under Léopold II. The Throne Room (1872) is sumptuous. The building on the east of the square is the Palace of Academies (1823), former residence of the Prince of Orange. The Fine Arts Palace, at the lower end of Rue Royale, to the west of the square, is the work of V. Horta. It is a venue for many cultural events.