About Brussels

Being both the capital of Belgium and the administrative centre of the European Union has earned Brussels the title “Capital of Europe”. The city’s character is shaped by the coexistence of French and Flemish culture, as well as many different nationalities adding a cosmopolitan flavour. The vibrant atmosphere of Brussels is further enhanced by picturesque medieval streets, lively squares, beautiful boulevards, impressive monuments, spacious parks, cosy cafés, interesting restaurants and an active cultural life.

Grand Place (Market Place)

The Market Place is the heart of the Old Town with the Town Hall as the most remarkable ancient monument of Brussels. The flower market is held in this magnificent setting every Sunday morning. It also boasts the country's best baroque guildhalls, museums, pavement cafés, chocolate shops and intimate cellar restaurants - a combination that lures visitors in droves. Hidden at the very core of the old town, it's revealed as you enter from one of six narrow side alleys.

Atmosphere 2009 will be held just behind the town hall with a magnificient view on one of Europe’s most beautiful squares.

Hotel de Ville (Town Hall)

Brussels Town Hall is one of Belgium’s finest civic buildings. Not only because of the numerous sculptures adorning its walls, but also because of its perfect proportions and the incomparable beauty of its tower, the spire of which is topped by the archangel Saint-Michael. Brussels laid the foundation stone of the magnificent Gothic edifice in the spring of 1402. In 1695, when the city was bombarded by Marshal de Villeroy, the Town Hall was destroyed by fire. Its reception rooms and aldermen’s offices contain fine Brussels tapestries from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, sumptuous Gothic wooden panelling, the insignia of ancient guilds and paintings from the collections at the Town Hall Museum.

Manneken Pis

A national symbol and known throughout the world, Manneken Pis - a little boy cheerfully taking a leak into a pool - never fails to disappoint visitors despite its diminutive size. It's three blocks from the Grand Place and very close to the Amigo Hotel. He has been given numerous costumes and decorations and his wardrobe now comprises some 760 items, recently restyled in an appealing scenography (see Museum of the City of Brussels). The first costume was given to him by the Elector of Bavaria in 1698. Manneken-Pis has, alas, been the victim of several acts of vandalism. It was in 1745 that he was kidnapped for the first time by the English. Two years later, it was the turn of the French to steal him. Hearing of this, Louis XV gave him, by way of reparation for this outrage, a rich costume in gold brocade and decorated him with the cross of Saint-Louis. In 1817, the statuette was stolen again, this time by a reprieved French convict, and was found broken in pieces. The fragments were used to make the statuette which you can see today on the old fountain.

La Bourse (Stock exchange)

The meeting place of the Belgian financial world. The foundation stone was laid in 1871 and was inaugurated on the 27th December, 1873. Of neoclassical inspiration, its simplicity is broken by very ornate decorations that have been described by some as baroque excess. The cream façade is festooned with friezes and sculptures of exotic fruits, reclining nudes, lunging horses and a multitude of allegorical figures. One of the statues is by Rodin.

Atomium

Inaugurated on the occasion of the 1958 World Exhibition and fully renovated in 2005, the Atomium is built on the model of a metal crystalline molecule enlarged 165 billion times. The most spectacular views of Brussels and Brabant one can enjoy from the uppermost ball. The Atomium is a space-age leftover and was built by the powerful Belgian metal industry. The 102m-high steel structure consists of nine balls linked by columns. When approached from central Brussels, it looms over houses in the nearby suburbs like an alien from a '60s Hollywood movie.

European Union Area

Brussels is home to three European institutions: the European Council, the European Commission, and the European Parliament.

The European Union Council is the place where most important decisions will be made for the future of Europe. This building is named "Juste Lipse" from a 16^th Century Humanist.

The European Commission embodies and upholds the general interest of the Union and is the driving force in the Union's institutional system. Although the 1967-built, star-shaped Berlaymont building housing the European Commission isn't open to the public, the information panels outside give a succinct overview of the EU and its role in the European capital.

The distinctive domed European Parliament sits next to Parc Léopold. Opened in 1998 by King Albert II, it's all steel and blue glass and is nicknamed 'Caprice des Dieux' (Whim of the Gods) after a French cheese. The European Parliament is the EU's legislative branch; elections are held every five years.

Palais de Justice (Palace of Justice)

An impressive building, the Palace of Justice is situated on a square from which one can view central Brussels. Larger than St Peter's in Rome, the colossal law court was one of Léopold II's most stupendous projects. It was purposely sited on a hill above the working-class Marolles as a symbol of law and order. Its design, intended to evoke the temples of the Egyptian Pharaohs, is equally intimidating.

Le Palais Royal (Royal Place) and le Parc de Bruxelles (Brussels Central Park)

The Royal Palace, in the centre of Brussels, is where the King carries out his official duties. It is situated right in front of the Brussels Park - a wonderful place for a walk. The Royal Palace was built on the site of the former Palace of the Dukes of Brabant which was destroyed by fire in 1731. Started in 1820 under the reign of King William, it was modified in 1904 under Léopold II, who had it rebuilt in Louis XVI style. The side wings date from the 18th century and at the end of each wing there is a pavilion. On the left that of the Civil List and on the right the Hotel Bellevue which is currently the BELvue Museum.