Brussels - Capital city of Belgium
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Fun Facts about Brussels
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There are three official languages in Belgium - French, Flemish Dutch and German;
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Brussels’ International Airport is the world’s biggest chocolate selling point;
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Brussels has the world second deepest indoor swimming pool - Nemo 33, which is 34.5 meters, filled with spring water;
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Brussels waffles are another type of Belgian waffle other than Liège waffle.
Basic information
Brussels, which the official name is Brussels-capital Region, is one of the 19 municipalities, and one of the 3 main regions in Belgium. It was official formed in 1989. Located in the central portion of the country, it is perceived the joint of the French and Flemish community, but is still separated from the Flemish and the Walloon region. During the first and second World War, it was occupied by German troops and suffered from various degrees of damage. Brussels underwent extensive modernisation after the wars and is has been the world’s international communication centre since the Second World War. Here, you can meet people from all over the world, with the most foreign population from France, Romania, Morocco, Italy, Spain, Poland, and so forth. Until now, It still holds the important political position as the capital of the European Union. Besides, Brussels is rich with its 80+ museums, such as the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, the Magritte Museum, the Musical Instruments Museum that is housed in the Old England building, and 70 more. It is also famous for its cuisine and gastronomy, folklore and tradition, and cultural events and festivals.
First stop: the Grande Place
Are you asking yourself why this place welcomes tens of thousands of tourists each year as one of the most important landmarks? It is not only because it in the capital of European Union, nor the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It the astounding and eye-popping mix styles of architectures and buildings that can be only felt when you, yourself actually stand in the square, neither from any picture, nor from a well taken video. The asymmetrical but only remaining medieval building - Town Hall, the King’s house with Gothic revival style, and 35 houses, surrounding the whole square, that remain strongly sculptured façades with pilasters and balustrades from an Italian Baroque and Flemish influenced style. Together with the crowdedness created by the locals and tourists, you will definitely overwhelmed. Besides, annual festivals, light and sound shows such as Winter Wonder Festival, and Colourful Flower Carpet that is hold twice year, all take place here. This is definitely a Must-visit spot. You can also choose to go in the early morning when there is no crowd, or evening when you can also meeting young people in the cafe and restaurants around.
Find the “Pis” statues around the capital city
Why all the pee-pee themed statues in Brussels? You may have known the possibly most visited tourist attraction - a bronze fountain status Manneken Pis, which is a little boy peeing into a basin in Grand Place, the centre square of Brussels.
But Manneken is not alone. There are also at least two more “Pis” statues in Brussels - Jeanneke Pis and Zinneke Pis. Jeanneke is a little girl has been added to the city since 1980s. The establishment of this statue symbolise the mindset of gender equality from a restaurant owner, and, of course, also to attract more visitors to the restaurant. Zinneke Pis is located on the corner of one of the trendiest shopping streets downtown in 1998. It’s a representation of down to earth, irreverent and surreal spirit of the Bruxellois.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure - Flea Market tour in Brussels
If you are a huge fan of flea market, Brussels’ weekends can keep you busy. Some are even there during weekdays, for example, the flea market on Jeu de Balle square. No matter you are looking for unique, vintage artwork, wood carving, an handmade armchair, or kitsch crokery, you’re sure to find all you want here, in numerous stalls.
There are more flea markets around the city such as
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Marolles Flea Market (daily 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
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Marché des Antiquaires du Sablon (opens every weekend, Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
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Westland Flea Market (every SUnday from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
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Auderghem Flea Markets (the third Sunday of the month from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
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The flea market at Place Sant-Denis (every Sunday from 6 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
Other interesting sights
Brussels is full of sightseeings that won’t disappoint anyone who are with different interests. If you are a plant lover, you will enjoy a half-day trip in Royal Greenhouse of Laeken, a lavish and extravagant winter garden that has a beautiful glass dome and decorated by sizeable portion of exotic plants, especially azaleas and geraniums. If you are a person who has comic strip fever, welcome to the land of Tintin, and why not follow a walk that leads you to various walls of comic strip? You can either follow a digital map (see button below), or stop at a Tourist Information centre and ask for a map. Or visit Brussels’ park and have a chill and relaxing sunny afternoon, and go to Mont des Arts - the best spot for sunset lovers.
