The busy streets of Brussels are always crowded. Tourists are attracted by a magnet to the pompous and coveted capital of the European Union. In summer, on the Grand Place and the adjacent streets, you cannot find free space in cafes and even on the pavement (especially when the square is covered with a magnificent floral carpet of begonias), in museums and picturesque palaces of the city it is stifling from a large number of visitors.
Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind when mentioning Brussels is the figure of Manneken Pis and the famous Belgian chocolate. But the city has other, no less "iconic" places: palaces in the Gothic, Baroque and Empire styles, historic shopping galleries, museums full of priceless works of art, as well as the ambitious modern buildings of the administrative bodies of the European Union.
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What to see and where to go in Brussels?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Grand Place
According to the master Victor Hugo, the Grand Place surpasses in beauty all the central squares of European capitals. This picturesque place has existed since the 12th century. Markets were noisy here, important public meetings were held, and the fate of the city was decided. Active development of the square began in the 15th century. For several centuries, the Grand Place has been surrounded by real architectural masterpieces: the town hall, the Bread House, fountains, houses of trade guilds.
Atomium
The modern monument is a model of a molecule, magnified several billion times. The height of the structure is over 100 meters, the diameter of the atoms is 18 meters. Giant atoms are connected by pipes, inside of which there are corridors and passages. Tourists can climb the Atomium observation deck or visit the restaurant located inside the molecule. The monument was erected in 1958 for the opening of the next World Exhibition of Achievements.
Brussels town hall
An elegant, "airy" and ornate building in the late Gothic style that adorns the Belgian capital. The construction of the town hall began at the beginning of the 15th century. As conceived by the authors of the project, the future building of the city council was to symbolize the power and significance of Brussels as an important trading capital. The architects managed to realize their idea, and now the Town Hall is one of the most beautiful buildings in Brussels.
Bread House - King's House
The 13th century Gothic building is another gem of the central Grand Place. The building seems to be woven of lace, its graceful arches and spans create a feeling of flight and striving upward. Initially, the Bread House was used as a warehouse for bread, then it was a prison, and then it turned into a customs office. As a result, the family of the Duke of Brabant moved here. Today, the building houses the Brussels Museum, famous for the paintings of famous artists.
Mountain of Arts
An urban area that appeared on the map of Brussels in the middle of the 20th century. Previously, there was an unpopulated wasteland in its place. Over time, the area has become the cultural center of the Belgian capital. There are many buildings here, built in neoclassical and postmodern style. Many famous museums are concentrated in the area, picturesque parks are laid out and convenient observation platforms are equipped.
Royal Palace
The current residence of the Belgian kings, open to the public during the absence of the royal family (in fact, they practically never visit this place). The palace is located in the city center next to the historic squares and the city park. The modern building appeared at the end of the 18th century, and the facade was modernized in 1904.
Laken Palace
This mansion in the north of Brussels is truly home to the royal family, while the Royal Palace is just a formal residence. The Laken Palace was built at the end of the 18th century. Around it is a landscape park with greenhouses, which is always full of tourists. The place became a royal residence only at the beginning of the 20th century.
Stoclet Palace
Unusual palace of the early XX century, built for the railway engineer A. Stocle. The building was designed by J. Hofmann, a representative of the Viennese Secession School. This architectural style stands at the intersection of Modernism, Art Deco and Art Nouveau. The palace is a UNESCO monument, but it is closed for public visits, as it belongs to the descendants of Stocle.
Palace of Justice
A monumental structure the size of a city block. For its incredible size, the locals called it "mammoth". The pompous Greco-Roman architecture and the gilded statues that adorn the façade look a little ridiculous and even intimidating. The palace is located on an area of 30.6 thousand square meters, the building is 122 meters high. In huge halls and numerous passages, the visitor can even get lost.
Brussels Stock Exchange
A late 19th century building located on the site of a former Franciscan monastery. The architecture is dominated by Neo-Renaissance and Empire style. The internal space of the exchange is notable for its splendor; famous Belgian craftsmen worked on the decor. The Brussels Stock Exchange appeared at the beginning of the 19th century by the decree of Napoleon Bonaparte; now it is a pan-European exchange platform.
European Parliament building
An imposing structure of modern architecture made of glass and steel. As conceived by the architects, it was supposed to look "unfinished", since not all countries of geographic Europe have united in the EU. The European Parliament, the main supranational legislative body of the European Union, sits inside. You can go into the building with a guided tour or individually and watch the meeting of the MEPs.
Pissing boy
A small fountain that has been decorating the Belgian capital for several centuries. Over the years, it has become the most recognizable symbol of Brussels. Unfortunately, there is no exact documentary evidence of where this fountain came from, but researchers agree that it was created at the end of the 14th century. The Manneken Pis figure symbolizes the humorous and freedom-loving spirit of the Belgians.
Pissing girl
The sculpture "Manneken Pis" is also a fountain. This is a modern composition from 1987. According to one version, the girl's figure appeared thanks to the local restaurateur Debouvry, who was offended for the women. The injustice was that "Manneken Pis is," but girls are not. With the advent of the fountain, both sexes were equalized in their rights.
Brussels Cathedral
Cathedral of the XIII century, reminiscent of the French Notre-dame-de-Paris. The writer V. Hugo considered it the only true Gothic temple. In architecture, the influence of three styles is noticeable: Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance. The cathedral was erected on the site of an 11th century church (its ruins can be seen through the openings in the floor). The interior was created over several centuries and bears the imprints of different eras.
Basilica of the Sacre Coeur
The temple was erected in honor of the 75th anniversary of Belgian independence. Construction dragged on for 60 years and was completed by 1969. The basilica was built in the Art Deco style, it is one of the ten largest Christian churches in the world. The building is used not only for church services. On its territory there is a museum, an auditorium for lectures, an exhibition gallery, and a venue for concerts.
Notre Dame de Laquen
A neo-Gothic Catholic church located near the Laken Palace. It was built according to the project of the talented craftsman J. Poulart. Inside is the tomb of the Belgian monarchs.The building of the church was erected in the middle of the XIX - early XX century in memory of the wife of King Leopold I - Mary of Orleans. During her lifetime, the queen wished that her body be buried in Laken.
Notre Dame du Sablon
Gothic temple of the 15th - early 16th centuries, erected at the expense of the military guilds on Sablon Square. In the Middle Ages, crossbowmen competitions were held in this place. The temple was rebuilt from a small 14th century chapel. Inside the church are altars that belonged to the military guilds and are dedicated to the patron saints of these professional communities.
Royal Museums of Fine Arts
A museum complex housed in four buildings. It includes: Museum of Ancient Art, Museum of Modern Art, Constantin Meunier Museum, Antoine Virz Museum, Margritte Museum, Fin de siècle Museum. The collection includes over 20 thousand paintings and sculptures. It houses an outstanding collection of Dutch, Italian, French and Flemish painting.
Rene Magritte Museum
Museum, consisting of the works of the famous Belgian surrealist R. Margritt. It opened in 2009. More than 200 works of the author are exhibited here - drawings, canvases, advertising posters, photographs. The museum claims to be a full-fledged center for the study of the artist's creativity and heritage. You can learn about the life of R. Margritt from the films that are shown in the museum cinema.
Cocoa and Chocolate Museum
Belgium is considered the European leader in the production of chocolate. It was the Belgian masters who invented the chocolates with filling and pralines. A museum dedicated to this delicacy appeared in Brussels in the second half of the 18th century. On its territory you can taste exquisite varieties of chocolate and delicious fillings. The museum is also a shop where you can buy a delicious souvenir to remember your trip to Brussels.
Musical Instrument Museum
A museum that contains musical instruments from around the world. The exposition numbers about 7 thousand copies. The museum was founded at the end of the 19th century on the basis of the private collection of King Leopold II. At first, the exhibits were located in the premises of the Brussels Conservatory, in 2000 they were transferred to the historic building of 1899, built in the Art Nouveau style.
Belgian Museum of the Royal Army and Military History
One can hardly recall the military conflict in which Belgium played a key role. However, this fact does not prevent the country from having one of the largest collections of weapons and military paraphernalia in Europe. The exposition of the museum consists of sabers, swords, rapiers, modern machine guns, pistols, as well as numerous military equipment collected from all over Europe.
Autoworld Museum
The collection of the museum includes several hundred old cars and motorcycles. There are sports cars, public transport, cars designed with environmental concerns and even cars belonging to celebrities and politicians. The museum exhibits unique models of "Bentley", "Rolls Royce" and "Bugatti" of the 30s. You can also look at the car of J. Kennedy and T. Roosevelt.
Horta Museum
The collection of the museum is dedicated to the work of the architect V. Orta, who is considered the founder of the original Art Nouveau style. This master had a great influence on the architecture of the Belgian capital. The exposition is located in the house where V. Ort lived. The structure was built especially for him; the master designed many elements of the interior personally.
Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert
Three shopping galleries united by a glass dome. They were opened in the middle of the 19th century and since then have become a place of pilgrimage for shoppers. In addition to shops, there are cafes, cinemas, art salons, a theater stage. The Royal Galleries are a valuable architectural monument of Brussels and a real gem of the city center.
Nemo 33
Swimming complex with one of the deepest pools in the world. The lowest point is located at a depth of 34.5 meters. Inside the pool there are several underwater artificial caves, through special windows you can watch the visitors of the local bar. People come to "Nemo 33" for diving and just for recreational scuba diving.
Halle gate
Medieval gate from the 14th century, once part of the city's fortification system. The building survived after the demolition of the city wall. In the 19th century, the majority of Brussels residents voted to destroy the gate, but they survived and were declared a historical heritage. Halle's gate was restored according to the project of the architect Beyart; inside there is a museum of the history of weapons.
Miniature Park "Mini Europe"
A park on the territory of which all the main European attractions are located in a reduced size. There is Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, numerous palaces from various European capitals, and more. The area of the miniature park is 24 thousand square meters; a detailed examination of the exhibits will take several hours.
50th Anniversary Park
The attraction is located in the eastern part of the Belgian capital. The park was founded at the end of the 19th century; its opening was timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Belgium's independence from the Netherlands. The park is decorated with monumental patriotic sculptures, pavilions, frescoes, marble bas-reliefs, luxurious alleys. One of the architectural dominants is the Arc de Triomphe with antique figures symbolizing the Belgian provinces.
Suan forest
Forest on the southern outskirts of Brussels. Until the 19th century, it was considered difficult to pass and dense, but later its area was significantly reduced. The forest is located in the provinces of Wallonia and Flanders, as well as in the Brussels region. Wild animals are found here: wild boars, moose, forest rodents, various species of birds. Fish lives in the forest lake.
