Schmap Brussels Guide

Brussels
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This is Euroland! Headquarters of the European Union and a wealth of paraphernalia on sale to prove it. An impressive Flemish Grand Place and the famous Manneken Pis fountain. Cafe life abounds here where mussels, chips and beers are fortes.

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Atomium

Tribute to science

Atomium Square
Brussel 1020
+32 (0)2 475 4777
http://www.atomium.be/
info@atomium.be

This unique structure is located near famous places of interest such as Brupark, Oceade, Mini-Europe and Brussels' Exhibition Park. Engineer André Waterkeyn designed this wonderful building for the 1958 World Exhibition. It is a crystal molecule of iron atom that has been magnified billions of times. Nine massive irons spheres (representing the nine Belgian provinces) are held together by iron corridors. The construction is 102m high and weighs no less than 2,400 tons. You can take a lift, once the fastest in the world, to the top for a view of the city. There's also an exhibition of the Atomium in comics from 1958 to the present, and a film on the building's construction.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: O Belgos

Photo: Colin O'Brien

Photo: Simon Laird

Photo: peter.ca

Photo: zeroK

Photo: ray-gun

Photo: jaqian

Photo: Vincent Birlouez

Photo: David Harding

Photo: Irene Ruscalleda

Photo: Vincent Halsberghe

Photo: Patrick Wilken

Photo: Jeffrey Gelens

Photo: Christian

Photo: Eric Schweichler

Photo: Jean Smith

Photo: grrrrl

Photo: Dave Hobson

Photo: Paul Van Praet

Photo: Peter Gutierrez

Photo: Jenny

Photo: Wolfensteijn

Couleur Café

Best of world music 4 Avenue Ernest Claes
Tour & Taxis
Oudergem 1160
+32 (0)900 2 6060 (Informatie)
http://www.couleurcafe.be/
news@couleurcafe.org For three days in June and July, Brussels is transformed into an unspecified, but warm, hot, exotic city. The world music festival Couleur Café brings together a variety of groups, performing on 3 stages (in tents for 12,000, 4,000 and 2,500 people). Past acts have included Alpha Blondy, The Wailers, The Skatalites, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Fred Wesley and Youssou N'Dour. But even more than music, this great festival provides a fantastic atmosphere, with world cuisine, cocktails, shops and fireworks.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Dudley Curtis
Photo: Frank Dhooghe
Photo: Christopher Soghoian
Photo: Peter Forret
Photo: Aeclectrick Records
Photo: Riccardo Bonuccelli
Photo: Riccardo Bonuccelli
Photo: Cheryl Cooper

Photo: Pieter Dewulf

Foire du Midi

For kids great and small Boulevard du Midi
Brussel 1000
+32 (0)2 513 8940 (Informatie voor toeristen) The largest fair of the country, Foire du Midi offers everything a kid, big or small, could dream of. Hundreds of fairground attractions, both hyper-modern and traditional, and lots of stands selling the traditional fairground food: croustillons, macarons, waffles of all sorts, etc.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Frank Dhooghe
Photo: Séverine Pouplard
Photo: nil ramos

Grand Place

In the lower city you'll find Grand Place and the famous Manneken Pis, the symbol of Brussels, a small, sometimes clad, statue of a peeing boy. Sights such as the Cathedral of St. Michel, Place du Sablon and Mont des Arts and the city's main shopping complexes are also located here.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Garth
Photo: Zoe Jackson
Photo: Meredith Adams-Smart
Photo: Zoe Jackson
Photo: Meredith Adams-Smart
Photo: H Anderson
Photo: Megumi Ito
Photo: Jiri Bures

Photo: José L. Roldán
Photo: Darren Wilson
Photo: Jeff
Photo: Stuart Carrison
Photo: Darryl Jacks
Photo: Stéphane Vervalle
Photo: Daniel Rhatigan
Photo: irenejshen

Photo: dvd2layer
Photo: Sarah Clarke
Photo: Chris Lock

Grote Markt / Grand Place

Most splendid square in Europe Grote Markt
Brussel 1000
+32 (0)2 513 8940 (Informatie voor Toeristen) This has been called the most splendid market square in Europe. Its esplanade is completely enclosed by tall, gabled, Flemish Renaissance buildings dripping with ornamentation and statues. It is alive with daily commerce and a colorful flower market. Impressive as it is by day, it is even more beautiful at night in the golden glow of floodlights. During spring and summer evenings there is a light show that shouldn't be missed.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Lee Braverman
Photo: Elena Merelo Molina
Photo: Mel & John Kots
Photo: David M. Smith/KPC
Photo: Lesley Trites
Photo: Niels Heyvaert
Photo: Stompy
Photo: Lee Braverman

Photo: Gonzalo Rojas
Photo: Tim Zunneberg
Photo: Pernilla Lindquist
Photo: bram_souffreau
Photo: Vitor Cunha
Photo: marionnetje
Photo: Irene Brand
Photo: Dirk

Photo: Laura Rebreanu
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Photo: flo21
Photo: laurakgibb

Kunstberg/Mont-des-Arts

Connecting upper and lower Brussels Naamsestraat 10
Brussel 1000
+32 (0)2 507 1212 (Informatie voor toeristen)
http://www.kunstberg.be The old Mont-des-Arts (Arts Hill) was a series of stairs bordered by statues and trees, connecting uptown (Place Royale) and downtown (Grand Place). In 1958, it was reshaped and two enormous buildings arrived - the Congress Centre and the Royal Library Albert 1, better known as Albertina, where nearly 4 million books are housed. The Belgian state has also endowed the site with scientific, economic and cultural institutions, such as the Rijksarchief (National Archive) and the Paleis voor Schone Kunsten (Palace of Fine Arts). From the French terrace garden you have a beautiful view of the city centre. Under the archway there is a large clock with moving statuettes. The chimes in the clock play by turns - following Belgian tradition - a Flemish and a French song.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Stijn Nieuwendijk
Photo: Mel & John Kots
Photo: Michel Raj

Manneken Pis

A wee boy who attracts attention from all Rue de L'Etuve
Brussel 1000
+32 (0)2 513 8940 (Tourist Information) Manneken Pis means as much to Brussels as the Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty mean to Paris and New York. The tiny statue was cast in bronze in 1619 by Jerome Duquesnoy but was unfortunately destroyed. Another was cast to replace it in 1630. Seemingly destined to doom, the replacement was repeatedly attacked by the English and the French. The spirit of the tiny boy could not be annihilated however, and his remaining fragments were gathered up and used to form the mould from which today's Manneken Pis was cast. During high season, visitors from around the world gather to see the little, weeing statue's ever-changing wardrobe.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Po Chin Tan
Photo: Nate Little
Photo: ridefrenzy
Photo: Easy Skywalker
Photo: Andy O'Donnell
Photo: Craig Smith
Photo: Jay
Photo: Eric A. Seiden

Photo: Lokhin Tsui
Photo: Alvaro Arce
Photo: Joanna Barczuk
Photo: joywowjoy
Photo: Graham Newson
Photo: tatikprice
Photo: Stelian Trandafir
Photo: Eva Hansson, Sweden

Photo: spencer0
Photo: Emma Line
Photo: Martijn Herrman
Photo: Carina Ong Su Yin
Photo: Noriko Okumura
Photo: Silviu Simbotelecan

Mini-Europe

Europe at your feet 1 Avenue du Football
Brussel 1020
+32 (0)2 474 1313
http://www.minieurope.com/
info@minieurope.com Visit all of Europe's highlights in miniature form. No need for the Chunnel: Big Ben is really just a few paces from the Eiffel Tower. Added to the fun is the fact that you don't just admire Mini Europe's sights, you can also participate. Want to erupt Vesuvius? Just press the button. Want to tear the Berlin Wall down once again? Go ahead. The miniature trees and plants in the park make everything appear realistic in scale. On weekends during the high season you can also visit at night and watch the musical firework display. Fun for young and old. Check website or call for admission details.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Michael Tokar and Li
Photo: Jeremy Bassett-Smith
Photo: Laela Z.
Photo: simonprice
Photo: Timothy E Baldwin
Photo: Colin Hodges
Photo: Samie333
Photo: Redo Egzital

Neuhaus

Rich Belgian chocolates 1 Boulevard de Waterloo 1
Brussel 1000
+32 (0)2 514 1965
http://www.neuhaus.be/ This chocolatier has been around since 1857 and is known for its rich and pricy pralines. The chocolatier guarantees satisfaction, however, or your money back. Their slogan is, "In Belgium praline means fine chocolate and Neuhaus means 'the finest Praline'". Pralines come filled with fresh cream, caramel, liquor and fruit. Neuhaus also sells truffles. There are several other locations throughout the city—hit the website for details.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Klara
Photo: Ludovic Copéré
Photo: Dolan Halbrook
Photo: sogarsichselbstbezwi
Photo: Christian Glatz
Photo: Andrew Nolan
Photo: Amanda Jin
Photo: Lillian Kim

Photo: Ignacio Seron Holley
Photo: Mark J. Levitt
Photo: Gunnar Hovgard
Photo: mycookinghut

Palace of Justice

Colossal justice building Poelaertplein
Brussel 1000
+32 (0)2 508 6578 King Leopold II was an ambitious man. He was phenomenally rich and wished to turn his capital into the most impressive in the world. He instructed one of his favourite architects, Joseph Poelaert (1811-1879), to build a Palace of Justice on Galgenveld (Gallows Field, where criminals used to be hanged). Constructed during 1866-1883, it was for a long time the world's largest building. Poelaert went insane and died before his gigantic, neo-Gothic building was finished. Tours (lasting 1.5 hours) are free, but reserve two weeks in advance.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Peter Forret
Photo: Larina
Photo: François Angers
Photo: Daniel M. Perez
Photo: Finn Pröpper
Photo: Janet Freysoldt
Photo: Daniel M. Perez
Photo: sussexhouse

Photo: JE Gutierrez Chavez
Photo: williamkrusche
Photo: Shannon
Photo: Brian Lenihan
Photo: Harish Krishnan
Photo: Elizabeth Anderson
Photo: Jessica Wright

Paleis der Natie/Palais de la Nation

Capital city Rue de Louvain 13
Brussels 1000
+32 (0)2 549 81 36 (Informatie voor toeristen)
http://www.senate.be/deutsch/i... This imposing neoclassical building is part of Belgium's government quarter, situated around Warandepark. Belgian Parliament consists of a Chamber of Representatives of the People and a Senate. Together with the king they form the executive branch of government. Since 1830, the parliament meets in the National Palace, built in 1779 when Maria-Theresia of Austria acceded to the throne. The building has two half-circle shaped meeting-rooms: the green one is reserved for the Chamber of Representatives, the red one for the Senate. Guided visits are possible by telephone appointment and only when no sessions are taking place.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Leo Koolhoven

Porte de Hal

A piece of local history Boulevard du Midi
Brussel 1000
+32 (0)2 534 1518
http://www.kmkg-mrah.be/ The Porte de Hal is the last remaining piece of the old wall that encircled the city until the 19th century, when the wall was taken down to make way for a much-needed road. The remnant of the ancient wall, which was built in the 14th century, now houses a museum of the city's history and traditions.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Jennifer Kubus
Photo: Talia
Photo: modernemama
Photo: Robert Kerr
Photo: Michael Creek

Saint-Hubert Galleries

The oldest mall in Europe rue des Bouchers or carrefour de l'Europe
Brussel 1000
+32 (0)2 513 8940 (Informatie voor toeristen) The King, Queen and Prince galleries of St. Hubert (which are over 200 years old) house expensive, old-fashioned boutiques selling a variety of accessories including gloves, hats, hand-bags and jewellery. In 1837, King Leopold I instructed the young architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaars to turn Rue Saint-Hubert into an arcade. Mission accomplished, this arcade, divided into the King's, Queen's and Prince's galleries, is now one of the most beautiful in the world. There is a nice restaurant, Taverne du Passage, a cosy coffee shop, Mokafe, an excellent cinema, Arenberg Galeries, and even a newsstand. Chocolate lovers should visit Neuheus (25 Galerie de la Reine) and ice cream fans can indulge at the Häagen Dazs located near the front entrance of the gallery.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Chiva Congelado
Photo: StaneStane
Photo: Eelco Kruidenier
Photo: StaneStane
Photo: Patty
Photo: Andrew Savory
Photo: terges
Photo: Fiona Daly

Photo: Frederic della Faill
Photo: dacoba
Photo: Amaury Henderick
Photo: Chris Buckridge

Tapis de Fleurs

A million begonias on Grand Place Grote Markt
Brussel 1000
+32 (0)2 513 8940 (Informatie voor toeristen) Every two years, Grand Place turns into a gigantic flower carpet—300 square metres large, consisting of nearly one million begonias. These beautiful, yet remarkably tough flowers are just laidt on the cobbles, and still they smile and shine for a period of four days. The carpet's design is the work of horticultural experts from Ghent, a city renowned all over the world for the quality of its begonias. The best place to get a really great view of this truly magnificent visual experience is from the balcony of City Hall.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Vladimir Blagojevic
Photo: Eisei.
Photo: でんたく
Photo: Meri Gallego
Photo: Bonnie Chan
Photo: JeanM
Photo: Eisei.
Photo: mike krzeminski

Photo: Rafael Gonzalez
Photo: Tom Kurland
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Photo: Bruce Charter
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Photo: Andreas Langer
Photo: Vincent D'Haeyere
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Photo: Shawn Fuller