Grand Place (Central Square)City/Region: Brussels
The Grand Place is the heart of
Brussels and has been since the Middle Ages. One of
Europe's more beautiful squares, it lies in the center of a confusion of small cobbled streets, and is surrounded by richly decorated 17th century Baroque Guildhouses, various Neo-Gothic buildings and museums. It is, however, the town hall, a magnificent Gothic building that dominates the square. Markets, flower stalls and various events are held here and this is the place to get to grips with the essence of Brussels, perhaps over a local
delicacy at a pavement café.
Mannekin-PisCity/Region: Brussels
The distinctive statue has been described as the
Eiffel Tower of Brussels and tourists throng the streets in search of the tiny urinating urchin. The bronze Mannekin is thought to represent the 'irreverent spirit' of Brussels, but there are numerous tales about its beginnings. Started by Louis XV of
France many years ago, it has been the custom of foreign countries, companies, visiting dignitaries or charities to donate an outfit to the Mannekis-Pis and the little boy is usually decked out in the latest costume; previous costumes are displayed in the City of Brussels Museum.
Hôtel de VilleCity/Region: Brussels
Brussels' city hall is rated as the most splendid civic building in Europe. The foundations were laid in 1402 and it survived the mercifully inaccurate bombing during World War 2 when most of the other buildings on the Grand Place were destroyed. The façade is embellished with gargoyles and images of nobility while the intricate 100 meter-high tower is resolved by a fine statue of St Michel, patron saint of Brussels. Tours are available - well worth it to see the fine tapestries and miscellaneous works of art inside.
Address: Ilôt Sacré
Admission: Adults 3EUR, children 2EUR
Galeries Royales Saint HubertCity/Region: Brussels
Mall lovers everywhere should make a pilgrimage to the
Galeries Royales Saint Hubert, the very first shopping arcade in Europe. Opened in 1847, the arcade became a draw card for the cream of 19th century society and today continues to inspire shoppers and browsers alike. The building itself is an architectural marvel: arcaded shop fronts across two floors are separated by pilasters, conceived in a Cinquecento style. The roof above is made of arched glass panes connected by a delicate cast-iron framework - very photogenic! In between the various shops you'll find cafes, restaurants, a theater and even a cinema.
Address: rue des Bouchers
Phone Number: (02) 512 2116
Palais RoyalCity/Region: Brussels
Belgium's magnificent Royal Palace was built in the 19th century as the official residence of the Belgian Royal family although today is used for official functions and other ceremonial purposes. The palace is positioned in front of Brussels Park, itself well worth exploring, and directly opposite the modern Parliament building as if symbolically representing the country's system of government, a constitutional monarchy. Tours are only possible in summer and commence after the National Holiday on 21 July. Inside are a multitude of historical artifacts and some impressive contemporary art, commissioned by the queen in 2002.
Website: http://www.monarchie.be/en/visit/palace/index.html
Hours: July to September
Royal Museums of Fine ArtsCity/Region: Brussels
An unmissable attraction for art lovers: the twin
Museum of Ancient Art and the
Museum of Modern Art are Brussels' premier art museums. They feature art from the 15th to 18th centuries (ancient) and 19th century to the present day (modern). The larger of the two is the Museum of Ancient Art, opened in 1887, featuring the best collection of Flemish art in the world; highlights include works by van Dyck and over 20 paintings by Rubens. The Museum of Modern Art was opened in 1984 and includes fine examples from
Belgium's best artists over the past century, plus modern legends such as
Francis Bacon.
Address: Rue de la Régence 3
Phone Number: (0)2 508 3211
Website: http://www.fine-arts-museum.be/site/EN/
Hours: 10h00 to 17h00
The AtomiumCity/Region: Brussels
Forget the
Mannekin Pis - this is the structure that best symbolises Brussels and certainly the one locals are more proud of. Built for the 1958 World Fair, the Atomium takes its shape and proportions from the internal lattice of an iron atom. There are nine spheres linked by escalators and each contains exhibition rooms hosting a rapidly changing series of exhibitions. There is a great view from the deck of the uppermost sphere.
Address: Boulevard du Centenaire
Phone Number: (0)2 474 8977
Website: www.atomium.be
Hours: Daily 9am to 8pm (April to August); 10am to 6pm (September to March)
Admission: Adults EUR9, children EUR6
Belgian Center of Comic Strip ArtCity/Region: Brussels
Belgium's love of wacky humor and comic book art come together in this wonderful museum housed in a fabulous Art Nouveau building designed by
Victor Horta. You'll see plenty of its most famous subject, Hergé's Tintin, as well as the Smurfs and art from over 670 cartoonists. This is a temple to cartooning, now considered an art form worthy of serious consideration, and so the museum aims to trace the history and development of the discipline rather than to entertain.
Address: Rue des Sables 20
Phone Number: (0)2 219 1980
Website: www.comicscenter.net/en/home
Hours: 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Sunday
Admission: Adults EUR6.20, children EUR2.50
Museum of Cocoa and ChocolateCity/Region: Brussels
The
Chocolate Museum is a fitting tribute to both the history of the cocoa bean and the Belgian's famed love of chocolate. The first chocolatier in the city appeared in the 1600s and today Belgians eat an average of 9kg a year! Visit on Tuesday to Friday between 10am and 3pm and you'll to see the master chocolatier at work and get to taste his handiwork.
Address: 13 Grand Place
Phone Number: (0)2 514 20 48
Website: www.mucc.be
Admission: Adults EUR5; ages 65+, students, groups (of 15+) EUR4; children under 12 free
Royal Museum of Central AfricaCity/Region: Brussels
Under the direction of King Leopold, the
Belgian Congo returned fantastic riches to Belgium in the 19th century, yet the people of that colony paid a terrible price. This museum was founded to explore the relationship between European colonial powers and the people they subjugated. Recent exhibits have broadened the museum's focus to include environmental issues and ethnography in
Africa,
Asia and
South America. The museum is situated on beautiful grounds in the Flemish commune of Tervuren, just outside of Brussels.
Address: Leuvensesteenweg 1302
Phone Number: (0)2 769 5211
Website: www.africamuseum.be
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm; Saturday to Sunday 10am to 6pm
Admission: Adults EUR4, children EUR1.50
