These houses surround the Grand-Place, and were built after the destruction of the city by the French in 1695, and restored in the 19C. Ionic, doric and Corinthian orders stand on the façades. Each is topped with a vaulted gable and decorated with sculptures and golden motifs. The Ommegang procession in July every year pays hommage to the guilds and is the reconstruction of the ceremony that took place in 1549 in the presence of Charles Quint.