22/06/2026
Sometimes, history is not shaped by an event, but rather by a language misunderstanding.
In Brussels, along this street steeped in history, there once stood a prison known in Flemish as “Vrunte”. When Spanish troops arrived in the 16th century, they associated the word with “vriend”, meaning “friend” in Dutch, and translated it into Spanish as “Amigo”.
By 1567, the term was already in circulation. In 1652, a decree officially allowed both names — Vrunte and Amigo. Over time, however, “Amigo” prevailed, eventually lending its name to the street itself. Centuries later, in 1958, a grand hotel rose on these very foundations and naturally inherited the name: Hotel Amigo.
A simple linguistic confusion that has crossed centuries and remains part of Brussels' history today.
Discover more about our story:
https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/hotel-amigo/story/