Brussels Top TenFlying visit to Brussels. Check-out our Top Ten must-sees. Published 13 August 2008 in Travel Articles |
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Brussells wears three impressive hats, as the capital of Flanders, Belgium and Europe. It started life as a fortress, then developed into a market square and eventually blossomed into the economic, political and social centre of the Flemish capital. There's lots to see in the city from the bizarre comic strip to enjoying its café culture in the Grand-Place. Here is a list of our suggestions:
1. Grote Markt (Dutch) /Grand-Place (French) Grand-Place is the main tourist attraction of the City of Brussels but its beginnings were less than glamourous. The area was just a swampy sand-bank between two brooks, known as 'broek sella' which gave Brussels its name. The sand bank was reclaimed and turned into 'Niedermerckt' (lower market) and sold French and English textiles, French wines and German beer. In the Middle Ages wooden houses were built around the market and by the 14th century wealthy families took to building stone mansions which led to the market developing into the main commercial administrative centre. The town hall came in 1402 and by now it was also a political centre. This is where dukes, royalty and emperors were received but the square was also the site of executions. Today the Grand-Place is a beautiful, wide open cobbled medieval and is Brussels' main market square. It is a great place to hang out and admire the elegant guildhouses which replaced all the wooden homes. Many have admired its beauty including Victor Hugo and Baudelaire who rhapsodised about its charm and appealing looks. There is a daily flower market between March and October and often accompanied with concerts and a light show in the evening. Every two years, during the third week of August, Belgian begonia cultivators decorate the Market Place with a beautiful flower carpet using 700,000 begonias. Visitors are greeted with 3,200 square feet of amazing plant tapestry depicting a theme. This year the theme was 'End of the Middle Ages'. Unfortunately we will have to wait till 2010 for the next flower event. The square is where daily business is done and where a flurry of local bars and cafés are a superb example of top quality café culture.
2. Hôtel de Ville - Town Hall While at the Grand-Place don't forget to visit the Gothic Hôtel de Ville. It dates back to 1402 and is the seat of civic government. It is an attractive building with arched windows, towers and adorned with sculptures including St Michael slaying a she-devil. If you are feeling energetic, climb the 96 metre high Brabantine Gothic tower and enjoy the amazing views over the city. Address: Grand-Place. Tel +33 (02 279 43 55
3. Manneken-Pis - 'Pissing Boy' aka Petit Julien The cheeky, chubby-cheeked Manneken-Pis is a major character in the folklore of Brussels. He is probably Brussels' most photographed statue, yet it is only 60cm high. He was designed by Jerome Duquesnoy and is a small fountain piece where the water emerges from a tiny metal penis that the boys points at the viewer. He is usually stark-naked but sometimes he gets dressed. He has an impressive wardrobe of 600 outfits displayed in the Maison du Roi. Address: Corner of rue de l'Etuve and rue Chêne.
4. Maison du Roi (French) - Royal Art Museums - Broodhuis (Flemish) The French name of Maison du Roi is translated as 'the Kings House' but although the building is a richly ornamented masterpiece, no royalty ever lived here. The Flemish called it 'The Bread House' because the house replaced the town's Bread Market which had been there for hundreds of years. This museum is dedicated to the history of Brussels, and if you have already seen the Manneken-Pis, in here you can take a look at his costumes. The history of Brussels is told over three floors from the Middle Ages to date. Address: Grand-Place (in front of the Town Hall) Tel +32 (0)2 279 43 62
5. Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée - Cartoon-Strip Did you know that Belgium has more comic strip artists per square kilometre than any other country? If you love cartoons, you may appreciate this museum dedicated to the comic strip. It is housed in the Waucquez Warehouse, a masterpiece in itself, designed by Art Nouveau architect, Victor Horta. You will be taken on the journey a comic strip artist has to make from concept to shop. There's over 5000 original drawings and an entire section to Belgium's famous cartoon character hero - Tin Tin. Incidentally, you can see six dramatic, surprising and amusing cartoon murals painted on gable ends around the city. These were commission by the city itself. Pop into the tourist office, located in the town hall, to get a map. Address: 20 Rue de Sables/Zandstraat Tel: +32 (0)2 219 19 80
6. Heysel Park and the Atomium Heysel park, located in the west of Brussels, is dedicated to recreation and leisure. In 1985 the European Champions Cup tragedy took place in the Heysel stadium killing several spectators. It has been redesigned since then and renamed Stade Roi Baudoin (King Baudoin Stadium). One of the highlights of the park is the Atomium. This is a glistening 102 metre (335 ft) high model of an atom made out of chrome and steel designed by André Waterkeyn. To really appreciate this structure, take time to gaze up and enjoy the sheer enormity. It was erected for the 1958 World Fair to symbolise a new 'atomic age'. It is an accurate depiction of an iron molecule that has been magnified 165 billion times. It comprises nine 18 metre diameter steel spheres connected by tupes, all of which contain exhibits. It is probably more impressive on the outside than inside but a high-speed, glass-roofed lift takes visitors to the top in just 23 seconds where you can stop for a beer and a snack, take in the views and then get the escalators down stopping off at the various spheres. Address for Atomium: Boulevard du Centenaire, Laeken Tel+32 (0)2 475 47 77
7. Mini-Europe Next door to the Atomium is Bruparck, a 25 hectare leisure park of several amusements and attractions. This includes a 27 cinema complex called Kinepolis , an all-round Imax screen, a planetarium and a water park called L'Oceade plus a clutch of eateries in 'The Village' Pride of place though goes to the a display of some of the most famous and symbolic buildings of the countries of the European Union at 1/25th of the original size. You will see gondolas, a TGV train on its way to Paris even hear the unmistakable chimes of Big Ben. Address: Boulevard du Centenaire, Laeken Tel:+32 (0)2 478 0550
8. Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Koekelberg - Koekelberg Basilica of the Sacred Heart This Art Deco church, the fifth largest church in the world, located in the Koekelberg municipality of Brussels. Its impressive dimensions (89 metres high and 167 metres long) look out over the Parc Elisabeth. Though it is modelled on the Sacré-Coeur in Paris it is made of concrete, sandstone and red-brick and, unlike the original, is not gleeming white. King Leopold decided to build it in 1902 and he laid the first stone in 1905. It was finally completed in 1971 in time to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Belgian independence. The cupola platform, which has a diameter of 33 metres, gives an excellent view over Brussels and the surrounding area. Address: Boulevard Leopold II Tel: +32 (0)2 425 8822
9. Royal Museums of Fine Art - Musées Royaux des Beaux Arts This is, in fact, two museums. The Museum of Ancient Art founded by Napoleon and is particularly noted for its display of the geat works of Flanders. The other is the Museum of Modern Art. This was added in 1984 and comprises eight floors, many of which are underground. Between them, they offer over 600 years of fine art comprising paintings, sculptures and drawings. Address: Rue de la Régence 3. Tel: +32 (0)2 508 32 11
10. Shopping No city break would be complete without a spot of shopping. Belgium chocolates ar a must buy. For pralines go to Chocolatier Mary, for a tearoom experience visit Wittamer and for a shop of exceptional displays try Pierre Marcolini. Some chocolates are encrusted with real, yet edible, gold. If it has to be designer fashion then head for the Galleries. There are three Galeries Saint Hubert, Galeries du Roi and Galeries de la Reine. They are worth popping into just to take a look at the amazing glass roof. Antique Market, Place du Sablon
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