BRUSSELS
THE CAPITAL OF EUROPE
Information
Read
Capital and largest city of Belgium [6].
The headquarters of the European Union [6].
The headquarters of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) [6].
Hosted the Annual World Fair in 1958, the special attraction was the ‘Atomium’ [6].
[expand title=””]
Cultural Capital of Europe (2000) [6].
The term ‘Brusselisation’, which means to destroy historic architecture for office buildings, was created by Brussels who destroyed their historic beauty for modernism [6].
Has its own dialect which is called ‘Bruxellois’, which includes elements of French, Dutch, Walloon, Spanish, and Yiddish [6].
Today only a few people can speak the full dialect, yet certain words are used by the citizens of Brussels [6].
You can hear the dialect at puppet shows at the Théâtre Royal de Toone [6].
[/expand]
In 695, it is believed that Saint-Géry assembled a chapel on a Senne River Island, in which a settlement grew around the chapel [6].
In the 8th century, an outpost was built during Charlemagne’s reign (768–814) [6].
In 979, Charles the Duke of Lorraine, established a fort on Saint-Géry Island, among the ‘iris flowers’, which has now become the symbol of the state of Brussels [6].
In 1100, the settlement became fortified, and it was awarded the capital of the Duchy of Brabant [6].
[expand title=””]
In 1355 the count of Flanders occupied Brussels, which a year later the Brussels citizens led a resistance by their leader Everard ’t Serclaes, whom ejected the Flemish [6].
In the 14th century, the city was thriving with its fabric production [6].
By the 15th century, wealthy markets began to fill the lanes around the Grand Palace [6].
In 1519, the city rose to international importance, as it became the capital of Charles V Empire [6].
In the 16th century, Protestantism became on the rise, which angered Philip II of Spain, to the point where ‘Spanish Inquisition’ practices were used upon the citizens [3].
This resulted to more than 1000 executions [6].
In 1695, Brussels experienced its most devastation to date, when the King of France Louis XIV ordered his Marshal ‘De Villeroy’ to completely annihilate Brussels for 36 hours [6].
The reason for this attack, was to only distract the Dutch, so they could regain the territory of Namur [6].
The damage equaled to 5 billion euros in today’s terms, which the damage comprised of 4000 residential homes being destroyed, the Grand palace (city square) being virtually destroyed with only the Hôtel de Ville surviving, and a third of the city being reduced to Rubble [6].
In 5 years, the grand palace was completely rebuilt, and it was better than its original structure [6].
In the 18th century, the Austrian rule further enhance the city’s development, notably the construction of the ‘Place Royal’ [6].
In the early 19th century, the population achieved 100, 000 inhabitants [6].
In 1830, the beginning of the Belgian nation arose during an opera performance [6].
During the World Wars, the city survived without destruction [6].
[/expand]
Attractions
Read
Brussels most iconic 102 metre structure, which was shown to the world during the 1958 annual World Fair [6].
The structure resembles an ‘atom’ in its crystal frame, yet this atom is 165 billion times bigger [6].
At night, the structure illuminates [6].
Built in 1880 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Belgian’s Independence [6].
The complex has a cluster of museums which include art, history, military, and motor vehicles [6].
A 25 metre column that was built in the 1850s [6].
The statue on the top of the column is King Léopold I [6].
The column observes the 1831 constitution of Belgium [6].
There are 4 female statues at the base of the column, which represent the constitution freedom of religion, association, education and the press [6].
[expand title=””]
There are bronze lions at the front of the column, which has a remembrance flame of the soldiers who perish during WWI and WWII [6].
[/expand]
Was the original palace of Brussels, which was established in the 12th century [6].
The palace was regarded as one of the most elegant palaces in Europe [6].
In the 16th century, it was where the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V resided [6].
In 1731, The palace was destroyed by a catastrophic fire [6].
[expand title=””]
Nowadays, you can see the underground structure of the palace [6].
[/expand]
Regarded as one of the best city squares in the world [6].
The city square is oddly hidden, as you can only enter by foot from one of six narrow lanes [6].
The middle photo is the ‘Town Hall’ (Hôtel de Ville).
[expand title=””]
It was strenuously built from 1444 and 1480 [6].
The building is 96 metres high, yet it’s slightly assymetrical [6].
Miraculously spared during the 1695 French destruction [6].
[/expand]
Brussels was a fortified city that was surrounded by an 8km fortress wall [6].
During the 1790s, the walls were partly destroyed [6].
Once Napoleon occupied Brussels, he decided to remove the whole wall in 1810 [6].
Hall Gate was one of the seven gates, which was only preserved to be a military prison [6].
Built during 1866 and 1883, which at the time was the biggest building in the world [6].
The complex is on 2.6 hectares of land [6].
The famous icon of Brussels, is the fountain statue of a naked little boy urinating [6].
On special occasions (anniversary, national days, and local events’) the little boy is covered with a costume (changes for every occasion) [6].
His previous costumes are displayed at the Maison du Roi [6].
Is the 5th largest church in the world [6].
Construction began in 1905 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Belgian’s Independence [6].
The church had a grand plan for spectacular gothic spires, yet funding was cut short by the World Wars [6].
The building eventually got completed in 1969, yet it didn’t include the original features [6].
Regarded as the first Shopping Arcade in Europe, which was established in 1847 [6].
Built in the 19th century [6].
The Belgian royals resided here, but now the royal family lives in Laeken [6].
The palace is opened to visitors in the summer, where you can see the royal portraits [6].
Construction started in 1226, and was completed over 300 years later [6].
The cathedral has a similar appearance to the Notre Dame in Paris, with the two grand twin-towered stands [6].
The cathedral has hosted grand events, including royal weddings [6].
Trips
Read
Leuven is known as the oldest university town in Flanders [6].
The main attractions include the ‘City hall’, a 15th century building with 236 statues of local scholars, artist, and noblemen of Leuven [6].
And the ‘Catholic University of Leuven’, a 15th century university (1425) which became one of the best universities in Europe [6].
The likes of Desiderius Erasmus and Andreas Vesalius studied here [6].
GUIDE
INFORMATION
Capital and largest city of Belgium [6].
The headquarters of the European Union [6].
The headquarters of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) [6].
Hosted the Annual World Fair in 1958, the special attraction was the ‘Atomium’ [6].
[expand title=””]
Cultural Capital of Europe (2000) [6].
The term ‘Brusselisation’, which means to destroy historic architecture for office buildings, was created by Brussels who destroyed their historic beauty for modernism [6].
Has its own dialect which is called ‘Bruxellois’, which includes elements of French, Dutch, Walloon, Spanish, and Yiddish [6].
Today only a few people can speak the full dialect, yet certain words are used by the citizens of Brussels [6].
You can hear the dialect at puppet shows at the Théâtre Royal de Toone [6].
[/expand]
In 695, it is believed that Saint-Géry assembled a chapel on a Senne River Island, in which a settlement grew around the chapel [6].
In the 8th century, an outpost was built during Charlemagne’s reign (768–814) [6].
In 979, Charles the Duke of Lorraine, established a fort on Saint-Géry Island, among the ‘iris flowers’, which has now become the symbol of the state of Brussels [6].
In 1100, the settlement became fortified, and it was awarded the capital of the Duchy of Brabant [6].
[expand title=””]
In 1355 the count of Flanders occupied Brussels, which a year later the Brussels citizens led a resistance by their leader Everard ’t Serclaes, whom ejected the Flemish [6].
In the 14th century, the city was thriving with its fabric production [6].
By the 15th century, wealthy markets began to fill the lanes around the Grand Palace [6].
In 1519, the city rose to international importance, as it became the capital of Charles V Empire [6].
In the 16th century, Protestantism became on the rise, which angered Philip II of Spain, to the point where ‘Spanish Inquisition’ practices were used upon the citizens [3].
This resulted to more than 1000 executions [6].
In 1695, Brussels experienced its most devastation to date, when the King of France Louis XIV ordered his Marshal ‘De Villeroy’ to completely annihilate Brussels for 36 hours [6].
The reason for this attack, was to only distract the Dutch, so they could regain the territory of Namur [6].
The damage equaled to 5 billion euros in today’s terms, which the damage comprised of 4000 residential homes being destroyed, the Grand palace (city square) being virtually destroyed with only the Hôtel de Ville surviving, and a third of the city being reduced to Rubble [6].
In 5 years, the grand palace was completely rebuilt, and it was better than its original structure [6].
In the 18th century, the Austrian rule further enhance the city’s development, notably the construction of the ‘Place Royal’ [6].
In the early 19th century, the population achieved 100, 000 inhabitants [6].
In 1830, the beginning of the Belgian nation arose during an opera performance [6].
During the World Wars, the city survived without destruction [6].
[/expand]
ATTRACTIONS
Brussels most iconic 102 metre structure, which was shown to the world during the 1958 annual World Fair [6].
The structure resembles an ‘atom’ in its crystal frame, yet this atom is 165 billion times bigger [6].
At night, the structure illuminates [6].
Built in 1880 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Belgian’s Independence [6].
The complex has a cluster of museums which include art, history, military, and motor vehicles [6].
A 25 metre column that was built in the 1850s [6].
The statue on the top of the column is King Léopold I [6].
The column observes the 1831 constitution of Belgium [6].
There are 4 female statues at the base of the column, which represent the constitution freedom of religion, association, education and the press [6].
[expand title=””]
There are bronze lions at the front of the column, which has a remembrance flame of the soldiers who perish during WWI and WWII [6].
[/expand]
Was the original palace of Brussels, which was established in the 12th century [6].
The palace was regarded as one of the most elegant palaces in Europe [6].
In the 16th century, it was where the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V resided [6].
In 1731, The palace was destroyed by a catastrophic fire [6].
[expand title=””]
Nowadays, you can see the underground structure of the palace [6].
[/expand]
Regarded as one of the best city squares in the world [6].
The city square is oddly hidden, as you can only enter by foot from one of six narrow lanes [6].
The middle photo is the ‘Town Hall’ (Hôtel de Ville).
[expand title=””]
It was strenuously built from 1444 and 1480 [6].
The building is 96 metres high, yet it’s slightly assymetrical [6].
Miraculously spared during the 1695 French destruction [6].
[/expand]
Brussels was a fortified city that was surrounded by an 8km fortress wall [6].
During the 1790s, the walls were partly destroyed [6].
Once Napoleon occupied Brussels, he decided to remove the whole wall in 1810 [6].
Hall Gate was one of the seven gates, which was only preserved to be a military prison [6].
Built during 1866 and 1883, which at the time was the biggest building in the world [6].
The complex is on 2.6 hectares of land [6].
The famous icon of Brussels, is the fountain statue of a naked little boy urinating [6].
On special occasions (anniversary, national days, and local events’) the little boy is covered with a costume (changes for every occasion) [6].
His previous costumes are displayed at the Maison du Roi [6].
Is the 5th largest church in the world [6].
Construction began in 1905 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Belgian’s Independence [6].
The church had a grand plan for spectacular gothic spires, yet funding was cut short by the World Wars [6].
The building eventually got completed in 1969, yet it didn’t include the original features [6].
Regarded as the first Shopping Arcade in Europe, which was established in 1847 [6].
Built in the 19th century [6].
The Belgian royals resided here, but now the royal family lives in Laeken [6].
The palace is opened to visitors in the summer, where you can see the royal portraits [6].
Construction started in 1226, and was completed over 300 years later [6].
The cathedral has a similar appearance to the Notre Dame in Paris, with the two grand twin-towered stands [6].
The cathedral has hosted grand events, including royal weddings [6].
TRIPS
Leuven is known as the oldest university town in Flanders [6].
The main attractions include the ‘City hall’, a 15th century building with 236 statues of local scholars, artist, and noblemen of Leuven [6].
And the ‘Catholic University of Leuven’, a 15th century university (1425) which became one of the best universities in Europe [6].
The likes of Desiderius Erasmus and Andreas Vesalius studied here [6].
Brussels Experience
My experience of Brussels comprised of 2 nights. In my stay I got to see ‘Mariah Carey’s Christmas concert’, and I got to explore parts of the city. However during my time, the weather was dreadful, it rained a lot, and was overcast. For the weather and the reduced time, I believe this has affected my review. In my opinion, Brussels was a little underwhelming. I had a high expectation, I felt like this city was going to be amazing, as it’s the ‘de-facto capital’ of Europe. Don’t get me wrong, I believe Brussels is still a good city, yet in comparison to other Western Capitals like London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, and Barcelona, it kind of falls short. But let’s start with the positives. The Grand Palace is amazing! It’s one of the best central squares that I have seen based on architectural design. Every building is designed with great detail and beauty. And The ‘Parc du Cinquantenaire’, is a great park with an amazing arc. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see the iconic ‘Atomium’ building, which would have probably been one of my favourite sites of Brussels.
[expand title=””]
But now let’s talk about the negatives. The homeless situation is a big problem, one of the worst I have seen in Europe. You go to the main bus/ train station, and all you see are homeless people living in the stations with their sleeping bags and possessions. This puts a bad first impression, if you enter the city by bus or train. The next thing I didn’t like about Brussels, is that it lacks proper pedestrian zones. I was expecting more, especially from a major city. Yet the only legitimate space is the grand palace. However with all that aside, Brussels is a city that does offer many attractions which can hold your interest and excite you, and for those reasons, I believe it’s worth considering as a travel destination
[/expand]
