30 main sights of Brussels โ photo and description, map
Brussels is a capital with a calm and measured life. And even though this country is not well known to everyone, like, for example, the Czech Republic or France, there is also something to see here. The sights of Brussels are varied. Historical and cultural centers, natural and man-made parks, temples and squares, scientific, culinary and thematic museums, famous monuments and libraries โ any tourist will find a suitable place to visit. There are no huge traffic jams here. There are quite a lot of tourists, but each iconic place can be approached without long queues and dense crowds. There are many tourist centers in this city, where they can suggest a route to the most interesting places. But even without outside help, any tourist will be able to pave the way for himself to the sights of interest to him, because there are a lot of them here and for every taste.
Atomium
The real symbol of the Belgian capital is the Atomium monument, which is an enlarged copy of the iron molecule. It was erected in 1958 for the World Exhibition and served as the main pavilion, it symbolizes the limitless possibilities of man, speaks of the need to use atomic energy for peaceful purposes. The author of the project is Andre Waterkeyn. The monument is nine huge spheres โ iron atoms, the diameter of which is eighteen meters.
The spheres are interconnected with pipes. Each of the spheres performs a specific function โ the one located at the top point is an observation deck of the city, the multi-colored sphere is a small cozy hotel, the central sphere is given over to a cafe. Separate spheres are exhibition halls and galleries.
Critics were divided into two camps โ for some, the Atomium seems almost ugly, for others โ a real work of art. In 2013, one American channel awarded him the title of the most bizarre building in the world. But the Belgians themselves are very fond of this attraction. You can get there by metro, Heizel station.
Park โMini Europeโ
Near the Atomium you can find a very interesting Mini-Europe park. Its size is 24,000 square meters, and on this small square there are iconic places of 80 European cities in miniature. The park was built in 1989 and still does not lose its popularity. No wonder, because in a few hours you can see more than 350 temples, museums, castles, towers, fragments of the streets of various European cities. Each miniature is worked out in detail, and the accuracy is simply amazing.
For greater interest, many layouts are accompanied by educational sound effects. For example, by pressing a button, you can hear the national anthem, the ringing of bells, or an iconic song. Also, some models present mini-shows: miniature Vesuvius erupts, miniature gondolas float around Venice, trains and cars drive, windmills wave their blades, etc. The layout is conceived so that the tourist does not miss a single layout. Also, the miniatures are arranged according to the real map: the path starts in Denmark and ends in Spain and Portugal.
Sacrรฉ-Coeur Basilica
This basilica is known far beyond the borders of the country, because it is one of the tallest art deco buildings in the world. Its dimensions โ 141 by 107 meters โ are truly impressive. Such a large-scale building was also built on a large scale. The basilica was laid in 1905, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the country, and construction was completed only in 1970.
The foundation stone was laid by King Leopold II. He loved Paris very much, so he wanted to make Brussels look like the capital of France. Because of this love for another country, and also because of the construction that lasted almost a hundred years, the basilica was built with a mixture of architectural styles. Now this is one of the advantages of the building.
It is interesting not only for its history. Inside the temple is an exhibition as well as a large collection of treasures. For example, in the heart of the Sacrรฉ Coeur, above the altar, there is a painting by Georges Mine depicting Jesus giving a blessing. The basilica has 9 chapels, which is symbolic of the number of provinces in Belgium. An observation deck is also open. If you climb under the dome and take binoculars with you, you can see not only the city and rural views, but even see Antwerp.
town hall
Almost every ancient city has a town hall, but it is used rather as a branch of the museum. In Brussels, the town hall of the 15th century is still working, it houses the city administration. Of course, part of the administration sits in a newer building, but the fact that the course of history has not changed the purpose of the town hall should please tourists.
What else is interesting about this town hall? Firstly, this is the last building of the Middle Ages, which has been preserved on the main square of the city. All the rest were either destroyed or rebuilt. Secondly, it is a fine example of Gothic architecture. Fans of this architectural direction will have something to consider.
Sculptures deserve special mention. At the very top is a statue of Michael the Archangel five meters high. The saint seems to guard the square, and indeed the whole city. Also, the town hall is decorated with statues of famous citizens of past centuries (nobles and saints). There are 137 of these statues, but only copies can be seen on the town hall itself, and the real sculptures are kept in the city museum.
big market
In another way, this place is called Grand Place or Grote Markt. One of the most popular places. It is not for nothing that the square is called the Market Square โ in past centuries there were shopping arcades here, and nowadays the famous Christmas market is held on the square. There are many other attractions around. Of the most famous are the Gothic town hall of the 15th century, which has survived to this day, and the Bread House (or the King's House, as the French call it). In addition, six guild buildings were built around, all of them made in different styles.
In 1971, a huge flower carpet was made here for the first time. Since then it has become an annual tradition. You can look at the beauty in the summer, in the middle of August. The event attracts many curious tourists. There is something to admire here at night. From time to time, light shows are arranged on the facades, which are best observed at night. The market square is the tourist heart of the city. There are many different hotels, cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops around it.
Museum of cocoa and chocolate
It invites visitors to learn about the history of the creation of a delicious product, as well as taste it and even take part in the creation of chocolate themselves. The exposition is very interesting and extensive, it occupies two floors. Here you can find out how cocoa beans were used throughout the existence of civilization, what technologies for making chocolate exist. All this is not just in words or pictures, but is shown on detailed posters and diagrams.
A very interesting part of the exhibition, which presents products made of chocolate. Those with a sweet tooth can see large sculptures, chocolate figurines, all kinds of sweets and candy bars. This place is very popular among tourists from all over the world. This is not surprising. The first chocolates were invented in Brussels, how can you ignore this fact? A visit will allow you to touch history and even become a part of it by attending a master class and preparing several chocolate products yourself.
Manneken Pis
Who in the world hasn't heard of the famous Manneken Pis? Probably, this is not only the most famous fountain in the city, but also in the world. The famous sculpture was born thanks to Jerome Duquesnoy and began to decorate the city from 1619. Manneken Pis is a sculpture of a plump, naked baby pissing into a fountain.
The height of the statue is only 61 centimeters, but tourists have to look at it from the bottom up. Manneken Pis stands on a pedestal, the fountain itself is fenced with bars so that tourists do not harm the sculpture. The boy is not always naked. The statue is often dressed up in costumes for various occasions. The process of changing outfits has become a favorite tradition of the residents. The entire collection of his clothes can be viewed in the City Museum. More than 900 pieces of Manneken Pis' clothing are on display here.
Monument to Charles Buls
The monument is an image of an elderly man and his dog and is dedicated to the mayor of the city, Charles Buls. This man was remembered for a long time by the townspeople for his virtues. Charles Buls advocated the preservation of the historical appearance of the city center โ the Grand Place, while King Leopold II really wanted to transform it. Mayor Buls allocated money for the restoration of historic buildings on the market square. Largely thanks to him, the modern center of Brussels looks just great now.
Among the benefits, one can also note the desire to introduce bilingualism. During the mayor's time, the police were required to speak Dutch and French, and all signs in the city were duplicated in two languages. The monument is also notable for the fact that grateful residents erected it at their own expense. The state did not allocate money for this, the people of Brussels collected everything themselves.
Mount Arts
This most interesting place is also called the hill of the arts and the hill of Mont des Arts. It used to be a densely populated area, but then the buildings were demolished, the land was empty for many years. Finally, a garden was planted here, several new buildings were erected, and an observation deck was located between them. To get your bearings, you need to understand that the Mount of Arts is located between the Royal Palace and the Parliament building. You can climb this hill by a beautiful staircase with fountains. There are several important art museums on the hill itself, which is why the place got its name.
Having visited the Mount of Arts, you can immediately visit several of the most important sights. In this place, you can combine a walk through a picturesque park, going to museums and contemplating the views of the city. On a clear day, the hill overlooks the Sacrรฉ Coeur Basilica and the Atomium. Mount Arts is interesting to visit not only during the day. At night, most of the objects on it are highlighted, everything shimmers in different colors.
Cathedral of Saint-Michel-et-Gudul
This truly majestic and stunning cathedral is as rich in history as it is impressive in appearance. It was built for several centuries: it was founded in 1225, but the construction was completed only in the 15th century. The cathedral is dedicated to St. Michael and St. Gudula โ the patrons of Brussels, and it is named after them. Many famous architects worked on its decoration. So, the facade with a staircase and two identical towers 69 meters high were designed by Jean van Ruysbroek. And the bright realistic stained-glass windows were created by Bernard Van Orley.
The interior is very rich. In addition to outstanding stained glass windows, there are many stunning sculptures representing kings and saints. For example, in the north transept you can see the statues of Louis II and Mary. Be sure to check out the Chapel of the Holy Communion. Saint-Michel-et-Gudul, so named in the French manner, makes a person feel like a grain of sand in this vast universe. Under the stone vaults of the cathedral, one can feel the greatness of God.
Palace of Charles of Lorraine
Charles of Lorraine is a famous philanthropist and governor-general of the Austrian Netherlands. He built his palace to his own taste, taking into account the fashion trends of his time. The result was a very interesting building in neoclassical style, which is still admired by lovers of antiquity. Inside the palace there are many architectural finds of interest to visitors.
In the main hall you can see a star with 28 rays, each of which is lined with different types of marble. The hall has attractive bas-reliefs showing the four elements. Inside, there are impressive massive staircases made of marble and wood. The main detail is the sculpture of Hercules, which was sculpted by Laurent Delvaux. Currently, it is a museum of everyday life and art of the 18th century.
Here you can see not only sculptures and bas-reliefs, but also household items of aristocrats of past centuries. Cutlery, silver crockery, rare Chinese porcelain sets, musical instruments, palanquins over beds โ this place has a lot of interior details. Unfortunately, in 1794 the palace was robbed by marauders. Therefore, most of the treasures that were kept inside are lost to us forever. Only a few halls are presented intact.
Royal Square
The most famous of the historical squares, Royal Square was founded in the 18th century. It was built on the site of the burned-out palace of the King of Belgium. Currently, there are many attractions around the Royal Square โ the monument to Gottfried of Bouillon, the central park, the Royal Palace, the Church of St. James.
It has a typical look for the squares of French cities, because it was built by analogy with the squares of Paris. It is surrounded by other important neoclassical buildings. Getting into its center, you feel all the greatness and power of buildings of past centuries. Royal Square is not in vain bears such a name. On the one hand, it houses the Royal Palace, which is often visited by the current royal family. On the other hand, many official state ceremonies took place in this place.
A couple of hundred years ago, Napoleon was honored here, the accession to the throne of King William I and the inauguration of the Dukes of Brabant were celebrated. Here, the first King of Belgium as an independent state, Leopold I, was sworn in. The most important celebration held here is the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the reign of the first king. It was a magnificent celebration that remained in the memory of the Belgians.
Royal Palace
The magnificent old building is surrounded by other no less interesting neoclassical buildings. There is a small park in front of the palace. Thanks to all this beauty, the Royal Palace is the most popular place for photo shoots. It is called royal for a reason. It is currently the residence of the royal family.
If the national flag hangs from the roof, then the monarch is now in the palace. So walking near the Royal Palace gives tourists a chance to see a real royal person at least out of the corner of their eye. It is good to walk around the palace in pleasant weather and imagine that you have fallen into the past. Also, every day at half past three in the afternoon you can watch the solemn change of the guard of honor.
Bellevue Museum
This place is interesting in four aspects at once: external and internal decoration, the view and its cellars. Externally, the building is made in the classical baroque style. Architecture lovers can study in detail such details of the palace as a balustrade, decorative garlands, cornices. Various sculptures and flowerpots deserve special mention. The building was erected according to a complicated construction plan for a reason: kings lived here, and Princess Josephine Charlotte was even born in one of the rooms.
The interior of the house is currently occupied by three floors of expositions. Bellevue provides a chance to get acquainted with the history of the country in detail. Walking through the floors, you can learn about all the events that happened in the country during its existence as a separate state, in chronological order. At the same time, the original furniture and interior items of past centuries have been preserved in the rooms.
The views from the terrace are truly magnificent. You can clearly see the Mount of Arts and the Brussels Park. It also offers a view of the winter garden, growing under the windows of the palace. No wonder this place is still called Bellevue, which means โbeautiful viewโ. It is noteworthy that only in Bellevue you can see the original foundation of the palace of past centuries. The building was erected on the site of the burned-out palace of Charles V, and the same foundation can be seen live. In the same cellars, exhibits discovered during excavations are exhibited.
Royal Library of Belgium
It is located on the Mount of Arts and is the center of literary and academic monuments in Belgium. The library is a reference library, which means that books in it are not handed out โ they can only be read in the halls. You should visit this place for several reasons. Firstly, the Royal Library is the oldest in all of Europe, so this iconic place is a must see. The Belgians affectionately call her Albertina after King Albert I, whose monument is located nearby.
Secondly, this is a very interesting place. Books for the library began to be collected in the 15th century, and now the collection has become truly grandiose. The library's funds contain about 8 million printed publications, among which there are many medieval manuscripts and manuscripts. A distinctive feature of the library is that it contains copies of all the books written and published in the country, as well as books printed abroad by the Belgians.
It will be interesting to visit the unusual departments of the library, for example, the numismatic department, where you can look at old coins and even weights for weighing money. There is also a book museum, which is also a must-see.
Royal Museums of Fine Arts
Here are the largest number of rare exhibits presented. To get acquainted with the entire collection, you will need at least a whole day. Otherwise, it will not be possible to carefully study the paintings of such famous artists as Peter Rubens, Anthony Van Dyck and others. After all, the exposition presents more than 20,000 works of art.
The fine arts are not presented in one museum โ here they are a whole combination. It includes the Rene Magritte Museum, as well as several buildings that represent the art of individual centuries โ ancient, modern (XIX-XX centuries) and the end of the XIX century. There are also two other branches dedicated to artists such as Constantin Meunier and Antoine Wirtz.
The world level of exhibitions is confirmed by the fact that a large number of exhibits were brought from the Louvre. In addition to paintings, you can also find sculptures and other art objects. There are a lot of interesting specimens here, including old ones, preserved from the 18th century.
Rene Magritte Museum
Be sure to visit the museum of the famous Belgian surrealist Rene Magritte. You can buy a separate ticket or go through the general one for all the Royal Museums of Fine Arts. The collection includes as many as 200 original paintings by the author. This is the largest exhibition of works by Renรฉ Magritte in the world. Most of the exhibits were collected with the help of private collectors. In addition to the paintings themselves, here you can see many other things related to the work of the master.
For example, Rene Magritte made surreal films, and you can watch them. In addition, the exhibition presents the artist's experiments in sculpture and photography, sketches and sketches of his works. The building itself also attracts the eyes of passers-by. The usual gray facade is hung with a bright canvas, on which the veil seems to open to another world. And a visit to the Rene Magritte Museum gives you a chance to actually look into another world, to look at things differently, to allow thoughts to materialize.
Museum of Musical Instruments
This place will be ideal for music lovers and those who can play any musical instrument. The gallery of musical instruments includes almost all of their types โ there are keyboards, and wind, and percussion, and electronic, and even mechanical instruments. Visitors will be shown ancient and modern exhibits. In total, more than 9,000 musical instruments are presented to the audience.
Different types of tools are located on different floors. So there will definitely be no confusion due to the abundance of exhibits. It is worth noting that the exhibition features interactive recordings of the sound of the instruments. The exposition reflects the history of Adolphe Sachs in particular, as he comes from Belgium. Here you can learn about how he lived and what contribution he made to the history of music. You can also see the musical instruments he created.
The museum is not limited to the exposition alone. Can you just look at the tools? They still need to be heard live somewhere. Therefore, there is a branch in a separate building where the concert hall is located. So tourists can not only study the history of musical instruments, but also get acquainted with their sound.
Church of Our Lady of Victories on Sablon
In the French manner, this temple is called Notre-Dame-du-Sablon and in many ways resembles the famous Parisian church. It was built back in the 15th century in the Gothic style, as evidenced by the rose windows and sharp spiers of the towers. The church is famous for the fact that among its Catholic parishioners there are not only ordinary people, but also members of the royal family. Many Belgian nobles also come here. The history of the royal family is closely connected with this temple. For example, there are burials of kings here, they are located in the chapel of St. Ursula.
Architecture lovers should also visit it. At first glance, the unsightly facade of a grayish-white color is transformed at night: the illumination of numerous stained-glass windows makes the appearance of this temple truly fabulous. Two chapels were built, they are made in the Baroque style. Each of them is decorated with rare funerary symbols carved on marble. Also in the temple is a sculpture depicting the Mother of God. This work of art has an interesting story โ it was stolen in Antwerp and brought to the capital in 1348.
Great synagogue
Located in the very center. It was built in 1878 by Dรฉsir de Kaiser. The synagogue is made in the Romanesque style, its central part consists of three floors, and towers of four floors are built along the edges. Everything together looks very luxurious. The history of the synagogue is marked by sad events. The building survived the Holocaust, during which about 25,000 Belgian Jews died. In 1982, a man armed with a machine gun attacked the temple and wounded four innocent people.
It is the main synagogue in Europe and is actively working as the center of the Jewish community. Inside the synagogue are the headquarters of some organizations, for example, the Jewish community of the capital, as well as the central Jewish consistory.
Palace of Justice
The Palace of Justice stands on a hill with a suitable name โ โgallowsโ, because here justice was administered and the guilty were executed earlier. The history of the creation of such a seemingly important structure is strange. Firstly, for the sake of the construction of the Palace, more than 3 thousand houses in which people lived were demolished. Secondly, the construction took a lot of money. King Leopold II wanted to build a unique building, and therefore spent the state treasury on it.
And in the end, when the construction was completed after 20 years, the inhabitants defiled the constructed Palace and for a long time after that they scolded the architect. Despite all the obstacles, the building was built, and now it is a must-see attraction. The Palace of Justice is called so for a reason. Currently, the country's cassation chamber, as well as 27 courtrooms, is located inside the building.
The architect was Joseph Poulart. He erected a building in a style that combines both eclecticism and the Assyrian-Babylonian direction. The Palace itself is an unsightly gray color, but is decorated with a majestic golden dome. The Palace of Justice is three times higher than the Royal Palace, so it is visible from afar.
Halleport
For several centuries the capital was surrounded by an eight-kilometer fortress wall. In the course of historical events, it was gradually destroyed, until in 1810 Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte ordered it to be completely demolished. However, the wall was not completely destroyed. Several interesting structures remained from it, one of which is Halleport, or Port de Hal. These are the city gates, which were built already in the XIV century and have survived to this day.
Two names indicate that Halleport was used not only by the Belgians, but also by the French. In the 19th century, he managed to visit a military prison. But already in 1847, it was decided to preserve the unique piece of architecture and turn it into a museum. To do this, Halleport was decorated with towers and statues. Currently, inside you can see several historical expositions dedicated to both the history of Halleport itself and the entire city as a whole. There is an interesting exhibition of medieval weapons and armor, there is a Gothic hall, and at the very top there is an observation deck that allows you to admire the surroundings.
Church of Our Lady of Chapelle
The Church of Our Lady of Chapelle, or Notre Dame de la Chapelle, is one of the most interesting temples in the city. Firstly, this is the oldest church in the capital of Belgium, it was built back in 1134 and has come down to our time with not so big changes. So, the church tower was demolished. Secondly, it is located near the Marolles quarter. The famous painter Pieter Brueghel the Elder lived there. Currently, his remains are buried just in this church.
It is also worth visiting because it houses several important shrines for Christians. So, in 1240, a particle of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ appeared in the temple. Now the church also keeps a font of 1475, as well as a pulpit made of wood with the image of Elijah the Prophet. This department was established in the 18th century.
European Parliament Building Complex
In addition to ancient historical sights, you can also find modern buildings that are of interest to tourists. For example, the buildings of the European Parliament, in which the real history of modernity is being created. The main building of the European Parliament is the largest building in the capital, it can be seen from anywhere in the city. It was built on the site of the railway station, which was demolished in the 19th century. Now a futuristic structure of glass and concrete rises here, and a rare tourist can pass by such a spectacle.
The architecture is very interesting. It has the shape of a wing, and in the center there is an unfinished tower, symbolizing only a part of the countries that have joined the European Union. Apparently, when all countries join it, the tower will be completed. Any tourist can go to the building of the European Parliament for a tour. And for particularly curious lovers of politics, the entrance to the sessions themselves, which take place inside the parliament, is also open.
Church of St. James on Coudenberg Hill
Located on one side of the Royal Square. There are eight palace buildings here, and therefore it is difficult to understand that there is also a church here, so it merges with them. This church was built in the XII century, and then rebuilt many times. Initially, it was a small chapel built by the Dukes of Brabant. It became a church after the construction of a nearby palace. In 1579, a fire broke out in the country with a strong storm, and the church was almost destroyed. After that, it was restored, but significantly changed.
In front of the church there is a monument to Gottfried Bouillonskum, King of Jerusalem, who led the first crusade. His patron saint was St. James, after whom the church is named. Saint James patronizes pilgrims. Inside, the decoration is quite simple. But her fame arose for a different reason. Firstly, the first king of Belgium, Leopold I, took the oath here. And secondly, at present this church is the official church. Armed forces of the country.
comic book museum
Recently, comics have become popular all over the world thanks to successful film adaptations. But this museum is worth a visit for those who know not only the Marvel and DC universes. For example, the famous Smurfs also became known to everyone from comics. And they came up with these characters in Belgium. It is located in a historic building built in 1906. The house was designed by the famous architect Victor Orta. So the tourist will be able to combine two useful activities at once โ to get acquainted with the culture of comics and see the historical monument.
In addition to the Smurfs, the country is also famous for such a hero as Tintin. In 2011, a cartoon about him was released, and even became popular. At the exhibition of comics, you will be able to get acquainted with the original manuscripts and sketches of comics, see more than 200 drawings made by artists from Belgium and France, and view reconstructions of some scenes from cartoons and comics.
Museum of Natural Sciences
There are museums of natural sciences, probably, in every major capital. Most often this is an exhibition of stuffed animals covered with dust and moths. But in Brussels the museum is very modern. You can safely go here with children and not be afraid that they will get bored. Because in addition to the exhibition, there are many interactive moments. The most interesting paleontological department. Several Iguanodon dinosaurs are on display here. Their height reaches 10 meters. Moreover, this is practically a whole family โ they were all found during excavations of a coal mine in Hainaut in 1878.
Iguanodons are involved in an interactive simulation. You can not just look at them, but find out what happened to them. Tourists can see how the dinosaurs were covered by a landslide, most likely this is how they died. In addition, you can watch several videos in different languages. These videos tell about the achievements of modern paleontology.
Ciftieth Anniversary Park
The city has several majestic and beautiful parks where both citizens and tourists can relax. And the best of them is the park built in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of Belgian independence. The park has a very unusual shape โ several buildings were built in it, which together form the silhouette of a horseshoe, and in its center there is a triumphal arch. The park was built by 1880, when the National Exhibition was held in the country, and only the arch was erected later, in 1905.
The park has everything for different types of recreation. It houses several interesting museums dedicated to cars, military history, and painting. As many as 30 hectares are occupied by beautiful paths, shady gardens, picturesque waterfalls and other natural beauties. Previously, various exhibitions and fairs were held here, but since the 30s of the XX century, this has all been canceled and the park has been turned into a place for citizens to relax.
Horta Museum
Victor Orth is a world-famous architect who lived and worked in Brussels. Here he designed and erected four unique buildings recognized by UNESCO as architectural monuments. Among them is his house-workshop, it is in it that the museum is currently located. The architect worked in the Art Nouveau or Art Nouveau style. It is in this style that the museum itself is made. Inside, interiors in the same style have been preserved, as well as household items of the architect, which he used during his lifetime.
In addition to the usual decor items in the house, you can see unique author's pieces of furniture that Victor Ort created himself. Exhibited is not only a permanent exhibition. It is also worth visiting this place for the sake of various exhibitions held here. Most often they are associated with various aspects of Victor Horta's activities.
Leopold Park
After walking along the stone streets of Brussels, sometimes you really want to see a little greenery and nature. Therefore, after visiting the building of the European Parliament, you can go to Leopold Park, fortunately, it is located very close. This park arose in 1880 on the site of the former Royal Zoo. Its territory is 10 hectares. Of course, this park is smaller than the 50th Anniversary Park, but no less beautiful. There are many picturesque clearings, shady trees, ponds with ducks and fish.
In Leopold Park, you can take a break from the bustle of the city and feed, for example, numerous birds. In addition to ducks, swans and Egyptian geese can be found on the ponds. Among the trees in some places there are aviaries with parrots, which will be of interest to children. Architecture lovers will find many historical buildings in this park. So, in Leopold Park, such premises as the Solvay School of Commerce or the Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences have been preserved.