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BRUSSELS
Visiting Brussels seldom disappoints. Brussels is a popular place to visit because the city contrast nicely to other European cities. Brussels is somewhat calmer and less hectic than other cities in central Europe. Understanding of all of Europe is enhanced by a visit to Brussels. The various international organizations located in Brussels contribute a sense of importance to this city. The European Economic Community's administration is located here. NATO is, also, headquartered in Brussels. When in Brussels, one gets the impression of being where things are happening. Brussels is usually an exciting place to visit.
Brussels' original charm is not much affected by the city's important modern functions. Belgium is a country unique from neighboring countries. Brussels has successfully maintained a careful sense of identity. The traditional qualities of this town welcome visitors and encourage a pleasant stay.
Brussels competes qualitatively with all the other cities in Europe. The city is built with an orderliness matched by very few places. Being in Brussels somehow adds perspective. Brussels has an awareness that improves everything.
Brussels' important museums serve as reminders of Belgium's past. Visiting Brussels' museums is a friendly and useful way to improve an appreciation of Brussels. The uniqueness of Belgium and Brussels is better understood from museum in Brussels.
Brussels is distinctively the capital of Belgium. All of Belgium looks to Brussels. The Grand Place in the center of Brussels. People from all over Belgium come to Brussels for their own individual reasons. Often the Grand Place's expositions served as a focal point for all Belgians.
Brussels' busy streets invite the visitor to browse. Several types of goods are associated with Brussels including cheeses, lace, art reproductions, and antiques. There are big shopping complexes downtown and stores of various kinds throughout central Brussels.
An evening in Brussels can be exhilarating. The area around the Grand Place is full of engaging places. Restaurants of all kinds offer commendable food and atmosphere. This area is an international favorite, and those who like to watch people are sure to have a captivating time here. Various types of entertainment are also found in this vicinity.
Brussels, a Pleasant City by Foot
The appealing urban areas of Brussels are much smaller than in either London or Paris. Brussels is a convenient city to discover on foot. The large crowds found in London and Paris are not found in Brussels.
Brussels' downtown streets offer almost any kind of shopping desired. A genuine assortment of Belgium goods are to be found in the area of Brussels suggested for this urban hike. There are an abundance of fascinating places to shop in downtown Brussels.
Brussels was originally built around the Grand Place. The central area of the city near the Grand Place has a pleasingly distinctive style of architecture. Miscellaneous events such as expositions are held in the Grand Place. Modern Brussels is built outward from the Grand Place.
Discover More Than a Millennium of Brussels
The Brussels urban hike begins at the Palace of Justice. Described by some as Greco-Roman and other as Assyro- Babylonian, the Palace of Justice is located on what was once Gallows Hill. For an incredible view of Brussels, try climbing to the top of the Palace of Justice's high cupola.
Leaving the Palace of Justice, walk up the Rue de La Regence. In several blocks, reach the Royal Museum of Fine Arts. There is a very large collection of Flemish paintings in the Royal Museum of Fine Art. Works of the Flemish Primitive period, the Renaissance, and the Baroque Period are all to be found here. Bosch, Ruben, and Van Dyck are among the famous names who have their paintings exhibited here.
Continue walking on the Rue de La Regence and locate the Palace Royale. The Museum of Modern Art is situated in the Palace Royale. Included in the works displayed in the Museum of Modern Art are important French and Belgium painters from the last two centuries. Nearby is the palace where the King of Belgium resides.
Belgium's parliament can be found by walking through the Parc de Bruxelles. This park connects the Palace Royale and the Palais de Nations. Belgium's parliament meets in the Palais de Nations.
After seeing Palais de Nation, follow the Rue de la Colonies. In about two blocks, turn right and discover St. Michel's Cathedral. St. Michel's was begun in 1226, and more than 300 years were required to complete this project. This cathedral is famous both for its stained glass windows and a 17th century pulpit featuring Adam and Eve.
From St. Michel's Cathedral, walk west along the Rue de Ligne. The Grand Place is only a few blocks distant. The Grand Place is the very center of Brussels. One side of the square is the Town Hall. On the other side of the square is the Maison du Roi. The remainder of the square is completely surrounded by 17th century guild houses. The Grand Place is truly one of the most outstanding squares in Europe.
The Town Hall of Hotel de Ville is an excellent gothic building. The front of the Town Hall is decorated with statues of human forms from the Brussels of centuries ago. Climb to the top of the Town Hall's belfry for an excellent view of Brussels.
The Maison du Roi is now a museum of Brussels history. Various paintings are found here showing Brussels in different years. Brussels' unofficial symbol is the Manneken Pis. The Manneken is a small statute located a few blocks from the Grand Place. Over the last several hundred years, various groups have contributed clothes for the Manneken. The Maison du Roi contains some 300 of the Manneken's outfits.
The north side of the Grand Place has guild houses complete with golden trim. These guild houses are possibly Brussels' most famous photographic subject. The Grand Place's Guild Houses are excellent reminders of how social organization in European cities first began around various trade guilds.
The Arbre d'Or or Tree of Gold is found on the south side of the Grand Place. Here is where the House of Brewers was located. The Brussels' brewers met here from 1551 until the early 19th century when Napoleon ended their association. The basement of the building now contains a brewery museum complete with free samples.
From the southwest corner of the Grand Place follow the Rue de l'Etuve for about three blocks, and find the Manneken en Pis statute. Manneken is located on street corner on the south side of the street. The Manneken en Pis is a fountain doing what his name suggests.
After finding Manneken en Pis, return to the Grand Place. Next explore the side streets around the Grand Place. The area near the Grand Place is superb for finding a reasonably priced restaurant for dinner. There are several streets in this vicinity all with appealing restaurants. Do not overlook this neighborhood as a possibility for an evening's entertainment.
Leaving the Grand Place, continue northeast for a block or so to Rue de Midi. Turn right on Rue de Midi, and the Place de La Monnaie is one block further. The Opera House is located here. This area of Brussels is famous because the 1830 Revolution that gave birth to Belgium began here.
The Rue de Midi becomes the Rue Neuve after the Place de la Monnaie. There is agreeable shopping on the Rue Neuve. The City 2 shopping complex is located here. In this one complex, there are over a hundred shops on three different levels.
Continue up Rue Neuve to the Boulevard du Jardin Botanique. Then return toward the Opera on the next street to the northeast, the Boulevard Adolphe Max. Both Rue Neuve and Boulevard Adolphe Max have exceptional shopping and are pleasant browsing.
The Boulevard Adolphe Max, becomes the Boulevard Anspach after the Opera. Follow this street to March Aux Poulets. Turn here, toward the Rue du Midi, and again reach the Grand Place. Next, find a little restaurant, partake of some refreshment, and savor a new acquaintanceship with Brussels.
The Brussels urban hike does not require a complete day. This hike should, however, provide several profitable hours of leisurely walking. Brussels is a pleasant change from other European cities. Completing this urban hike, allows getting to know Brussels and reflection upon the urban environment.
Finding What is Exceptionally Brussels
Brussels is distinct from other European cities. Brussels' tempo is affected by both the city's present involvement in international affairs and more traditional Belgian values. The visitor is usually able to appreciate both currents of ideas. Brussels usually proves one of the more successful place to visit and rarely disappoints.
One need not complete lengthy preparations for a trip to Brussels. Perhaps, however, giving some thought to this city's past might be useful. Brussels celebrated a millennium in 1979. During those one thousand years, Brussels acquired a very nice personality.
Brussels is a camera devotees delight. Brussels is pleasingly different to photograph. The buildings here, at least some of those found near the Grand Place, are unique and photograph well. Extraordinary architectural details such as the figures atop the Maison du Roi are pleasing reminders of the past that photograph well.
While Brussels places fewer demands to hurry everywhere and see everything, there is still plenty of things to do in Brussels. Brussels has excellent museums. There are, also, many opportunities for advantageous shopping.
Brussels is, also, a very pleasant city in the evening. Begin with dinner at one of the restaurants near the Grand Place, and then have coffee and a desert at a sidewalk cafe and watch the passers by. Possibly, find some entertainment for the evening near the Grand Place. First time visitors to Europe often have difficulty finding evening entertainment. Brussels is, sometimes, productive because first time visitors can succeed with a satisfying evening away from the hotel.
Brussels attracts visitors from all over Europe. The city's international atmosphere can be exhilarating. Visitors return to Brussels for this reason. Many visitors leave Brussels with an appreciation that this town is experienced and careful at entertaining visitors from abroad.
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