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Brussels in One Day - City Route and Map

Brussels is a contradictory city that tries to contain everything - old and modern, beautiful and repulsive, but at the same time impressive. In some places everything is harmonious, in others it is awkward. So that you can fully enjoy the uniqueness of the city, we have prepared an itinerary that includes both iconic and little-known sights of Brussels. If you have 3 days left, then go ahead along our route!

Your first day in Brussels will be very eventful! We suggest you start exploring this city from its historical center. The beautifully preserved Old Town of Brussels is home to many interesting sights. It is simply impossible to get around them in one day. Therefore, today we propose to explore only part of the center in order to return here tomorrow.

Manneken Pis

This fountain is the main symbol of Brussels. Therefore, this is where we advise you to start getting acquainted with the capital of Belgium. However, tourists are often disappointed with “The Boy”. In photographs it looks like a monumental structure, although in reality the height of the statue is only 61 centimeters. It was installed in 1691. On holidays, beer or wine flows from the fountain instead of water.

There are many legends associated with the Manneken Pis. According to one of them, the residents of Brussels decided to perpetuate the memory of the boy who naturally saved their city from fire. Another legend says that the boy was a big prankster. One day he decided to relieve himself under the witch’s door. Noticing this, the witch bewitched the boy forever.

The townspeople love the boy very much and periodically try to dress him up; the boy’s costumes are kept in the King’s House. In the wardrobe of the “young man” there is, for example, the robe of a Zulu leader, a sombrero of a Mexican gaucho, and a robe of a Chinese mandarin. There are even two Russian sets - a space suit and trousers with a blouse. The process of changing a costume is a colorful ceremony, which often takes place to the accompaniment of music.

The Manneken Pis sculpture stands behind a wrought-iron fence. The lattice did not always save the sculpture, and it more than once became the prey of robbers, so the statue that we see today is only a copy of the one that was installed initially.

Address: Rue de l'Etuve, 46, Brussels

How to get there: by train to Gare de Bruxelles-Central, by tram 3, 4, 32 (stop Anneessens), by bus 48, 95 (Cesar de Paepe) or 86, N04-N06, N08-N13, N16 (Cesar de Paepe)

Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate

Belgium cannot be imagined without beer and, of course, without chocolate (they even produce chocolate beer especially for tourists). It’s no wonder that the museum dedicated to this delicacy is located in the very heart of the city! You can literally find it by smell.

Even if you are not part of the sweet-tooth party, you will still probably be interested in the museum, where they tell and show how pralines, truffles, bars and other sweets are made. Not only do they tell you, but they let you take part in this fascinating process, and then taste the resulting delicacy.

In addition, at the exhibition you will learn how in the times of the Aztecs and Mayans they began to cultivate cocoa trees and how after that the drink of the Gods won the hearts of Europeans. And in the museum shop you will find a wide selection of Belgian chocolate.

Address: Grande Place, 13, Brussels

How to get there: by train to Gare de Bruxelles-Central station, by metro (lines 1 and 5) to Gare Centrale station

Grand Place

This is the heart of medieval Brussels. Once upon a time there was a huge market here, holidays and knightly tournaments were held, and courts were held. By the 17th century, the appearance of the square was completely formed. In 1695, when the city was besieged by the French army, the buildings around the Grand Place were destroyed, but they were soon rebuilt. The facades of the buildings were lavishly decorated with carvings, columns and garlands. Each of these structures is worthy of a separate story, but we will focus only on the most significant and talk about them below.

Every even year in August, the Grand Place turns into a field of flowers - the area is covered with a carpet of flowers. Tens of thousands of tourists come to Brussels to admire this miracle, although the Flower Carpet festival lasts only three days.

House of the King (Maison du Roi)

To be honest, the king never lived in the King's House. This name stuck in those days when Napoleon conquered the country. To govern the country, the emperor appointed governors of Belgium, endowed with royal privileges. They lived in this house.

Previously, this building was called the Bread House - the city's grain reserves were stored here. By the way, in Dutch the older name “bread house” is still used, and in French this building is called “the king’s house”. Currently, the Museum of Brussels is located here, where you can learn all about the history of the city. In particular, over 650 costumes for the bronze statue “Manneken Pis” are on display here.

Let us add that around the Grand Place there is a “Sacred Island” where modern construction is prohibited. Therefore, any building in the vicinity of the square has historical value.

Working hours: Tue-Sun from 10 to 17, on Thu until 20, closed on Mondays

Address: Grand Place

How to get there:

Ticket price: 8€ for adults, free for children under 18. Admission is free for everyone on the first Friday of the month. You can buy a single ticket to this and two other museums (Museum of Costume and Lace and Museum of Sewers) - pay 3 for the price of 2

Town Hall (Stadhuis, Hotel de Ville)

Brussels Town Hall, or City Hall, is a true masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Its construction began in 1401. The height of the tower is 96 m, it is crowned with a three-meter gilded figure of the Archangel Michael. During the siege of 1695, the Town Hall miraculously survived. In 1998, the Brussels City Hall, and with it the entire Grand Place ensemble, received the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you look closely, you will notice that the Town Hall building is asymmetrical. According to legend, the architect, realizing that he had made a mistake in his calculations, threw himself from the tower. However, in fact, the asymmetry is due to the conditions of local development. Today, part of the town hall is available for inspection, and the mayor’s residence is located in the premises closed to tourists.

A collection of handmade tapestries is displayed in luxurious rooms decorated with gilded mirrors. Visitors can also go to the balcony, which offers a magnificent view of the square. When a floral carpet is laid out on the Grand Place, a line of tourists forms at this balcony.

Working hours: Tue-Sun from 10 to 17

Address: Grand Place

How to get there: by train to Gare de Bruxelles-Central station, by metro (lines 1 and 5) or bus (29, 48, 66, 71, 86, etc.) to Gare Centrale station

Ticket price: 2,5€

Monument to Charles Bulls

In a cozy square on the Grasmarkt there is a fountain with a figure of the mayor of Brussels, Charles Buels. Sitting on a bench near a fountain, a man with a bushy mustache strokes his small dog. Buls was the mayor of the capital of Belgium for 18 years - from 1881 to 1899.

The sculpture was made with donations from city residents as gratitude for the order brought by Buls in the historical center of Brussels. Thus, Büls restored the beautiful Grand Place. In addition, he found funds for the restoration of the complex on the Mountain of Arts. You will see it on the second day of your journey.

Address: corner of Rue de la Montagne and Rue du Marché aux Herbes

How to get there: 2 minutes walk from Grand Place

Place d'Espagne

In the Plaza de España in Brussels, which is Madrid's sister city, there is a monument to Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. This monument is a copy of the one installed in Madrid at Plazade Espana. The figures of the heroes of the greatest work of Spanish literature are installed on a high pedestal, from which they have a beautiful view of the old city and the Town Hall building.

How to get there: located directly opposite Gare Centrale main station

Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries, Koninklijke Sint-Hubertusgalerijen

The Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert are the very first shopping arcade in Europe. It was founded in 1846 by King Leopold I. In the space of dimly lit alleys, the magnificent Royal Galleries were erected within ten years. Along the galleries there are now shops, restaurants, theaters, and apartments on the second floor.

The name “Galleries of Saint-Hubert” was given to the entire complex only in 1965. The two main galleries - the Queen's and the King's - are separated by a colonnade at the intersection with Rue de Bouchers. The Belly of Brussels is located on this street.

Address: Galerie de la Reine, 5

How to get there: 2 minutes from Grand Place, right next to the square with the monument to Charles Bulls

"The Belly of Brussels"

“The Belly of Brussels”, or Butchers Street, is the main restaurant spot in the Belgian capital. There are so many cafes and restaurants here that it’s simply mind-boggling! Traditional Belgian dishes are served at every turn - lobster, oysters, mussels with fries, Belgian beer and chocolate. Near each restaurant there are barkers who are ready to tell you in any language of the world why you should come to their establishment.

It is worth noting that prices in local restaurants are not at all affordable. If you decide to have a meal in some particularly popular place in the evening, it is better to book tables in advance.

Address: street Rue des Bouchers

How to get there: the exit from the Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert leads directly to this street

Where to eat in Brussels on the first day

Bar Delirium

The Delirium Bar has been included in the Guinness Book of Records as the place that serves the most beers. This is a real paradise for lovers of a foamy drink! To try as many varieties as possible and keep your mind clear, ditch the usual 0.5 and go for 0.3.

The bar is located on three floors. The top one, as a rule, is always quiet and not as crowded as the first two. By the way, please note that this bar does not serve food, but only serves appetizers and snacks to go with beer.

Address: Impasse de la Fidelite 4A

Working hours: Mon-Sat from 10 am to 4 am, Sun - from 10 am to 2 am

Poechenellekelder

According to many tourists, this pub is the best in Brussels. There is a large selection of excellent Belgian beers to try alongside Italian cuisine. The owner of the establishment and all the staff are very hospitable and take care of every client.

But in Poechenellekelder it is not only the food and service that amazes, but also the interior. This is the place where you can sit the whole evening and never get bored. That is why it took an honorable second place in the TOP rating of Brussels restaurants according to the Tripadvisor portal.

Address: 5 Rue du Chene

Working hours: Tue-Thu, Sun from 11 to 1 am, Sat-Sun from 11 to 2 am

Pasta Divina

This small and very cozy restaurant serves Italian cuisine. Residents of Brussels often visit Pasta Divina, which characterizes it only on the positive side. The restaurant is owned by immigrants from Italy; all the dishes are prepared by the restaurant owner’s wife. The food she prepares is homemade, tasty and satisfying.

Address:Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Bergstraat 16

Working hours:from 11:30 to 15 and from 18 to 22,daily except Mondays

Maison Dandoy - Tea Room

This is a great place to relax after a long walk. The famous Liege waffles and other pastries are prepared here. They are usually served with coffee or hot chocolate. The price of the treats here is a little higher than in other places, but it's worth it.

Address: Rue Charles Bulls 14

Working hours: Mon-Sat from 10:30 to 19, Sun from 10:30 to 19

And it's unfair. Strange thing, and our guide, when we went to Brussels, advised not to visit it at all, but to go straight to Bruges, frightened the myriad of gypsies in the main square, and, to put it mildly, in principle, did not speak flatteringly about the city in which the headquarters of the European Union is located, declaring: “What a union, such and the capital" :)

Panorama of the Old City of Brussels

“Heads and Tails” also dedicated their issue to Brussels how uninteresting and not very beautiful it is here.

We are in Brussels We’ve been, we’ve walked around it, we’ve seen a lot of things, and we can say with confidence that this is the cutest town, in which ancient buildings are combined with modern, sometimes strange, architecture, but we love eclecticism (in fact, Brussels far from Moscow with its mixture of all possible trends in architecture), that’s why we liked the city.

Here's what you can do a must see in the capital of Belgium:

Central square – Grande Place

Central Brussels Square— Grande Palace (Grote Markt) is called the most beautiful square in Europe, and rightly so, every building around it is a work of art. So what's here:

City Hall- a building with a high tower and a beautiful courtyard, don’t be lazy, go there - very nice fountains and flower beds.

Town Hall on the Grand Place

House of the King. Previously it was a grain storage facility, now it is Belgium Museum, in general, despite the name, the king never lived here, he has a separate solid residence - the Royal Palace.

Facade of the King's House (left)

Houses of rich citizensXVII– the square was once destroyed by French troops, and those who undertook to restore it actually built houses on it – it turned out beautifully.

Flower shops. Yes, there is a wonderful, world-famous Brussels tradition - to cover the entire square with a flower carpet once every 2 years. But even when there is no carpet, it is still beautiful here, because many shops selling flowers and lush bouquets are displayed in special boxes, right on the square.

Advice from our guide - no matter how impressed you are Grand Place, still do not forget to be vigilant and do not lose sight of your bags/backpacks, especially if there are any valuables there, or better yet, do not take anything valuable on this walk - in the main square Brussels, and indeed, there are quite a lot of dubious people like gypsies and people from the East and Africa. There were many cases of theft of money, phones and photographic equipment. This does not mean that the most beautiful square in Europe is a hotbed of theft, just be careful.

Viewpoints in Brussels

1.Very beautiful views of Brussels open from the observation deck Basilicas of Sacré-Coeur(Basilique du Sacré-Coeur) - the full namesake of the snow-white Parisian church in Montmartre.

The Brussels Sacré-Coeur is impressive in size, stained glass windows and dome (by the way, it is one of the 10 largest churches in the World). The building is quite new - its construction was completed only 50 years ago. Entrance to the church is free, climbing to the observation deck costs – 5 euros. I’m glad that you don’t have to go up the stairs, but conveniently and comfortably - on the elevator.

Basilica of Sacre Coeur located next to the famous Atomium, that is, a little far from the historical center, so it is better to get there by metro (Simonis station)

2. An impressive panorama of the city can be seen from a place called Mountain of Arts. Once upon a time it was a wasteland between Royal Palace And Grand Place– the old buildings were demolished, but somehow they didn’t get around to building new ones. The issue had to be resolved before the 1910 World Exhibition, which was hosted by Brussels - after all, it was not comme il faut for guests to see this incomprehensible, unaesthetic place. They hastily laid out a garden, going down the hill in tiers, and installed flower beds and fountains. Everything turned out so well that it stayed that way Mount Arts a garden in which both tourists and locals like to relax and from which there is a beautiful view of the central part of Brussels.

View of Brussels from the Mount of Arts

By the way, its name Mount Arts completely justifies - they are located very close to it Museum of the artist Rene Magritte, Royal Museum of Fine Arts And Museum of Musical Instruments. The Mount of Arts is, so to speak, surrounded by works of art.

3.Observation deck in the upper sphere Atomium- an unusual and very famous Brussels structure, reminiscent of an iron atom enlarged many times over. This place is now one of the symbols Brussels. Unusual, modern, definitely worth a visit.

Atomium

In addition to the view that opens over the entire city, there are also exhibition halls, a restaurant (though expensive), and a souvenir shop. And the spheres are connected to each other Atomium escalators that run along beautifully illuminated corridors and are accompanied by unusual sounds. In general - a little space and modern art.

Ticket price to Atomium – 11 euros. You can, right here at the box office. Atomium, buy a combo ticket for the visit and Atomium and located very close Mini-Europe parka, which, as the name suggests, is a scaled-down model of the entire Old World.

Pissing boy and company

This Brussels landmark We, like many, did not understand. Why is she famous, what’s so special about her? The miniature, inconspicuous monument to the Manneken Pis is quite rightly included in the top most disappointing sights in the World. But the Belgians themselves are simply obsessed with him - not only in Brussels, but also in other cities of Belgium, you can find mountains of souvenirs with this little guy. Magnets, mugs, corkscrews (yes, the corkscrew itself is the main point), just glass and porcelain figurines.

Brussels didn't stop there pissing boy(after all, feminism, that’s all) and erected a monument to a peeing girl, and later, apparently at the request of animal lovers, also to a peeing dog. There are rumors that Brussels residents are not going to stop there and are going to erect a monument to a peeing cow (dedicated to some special breed of Belgian cows).

Here's the story. For all lovers of such oddities, we provide the addresses of the pisuns:

Pissing boy– intersection of Rue de l’Étuve (Stoofstraat) and Rue du Chêne (Eikstraat)

Pissing girl– dead end of Impasse de la Fidélité (Getrouwheidsgang)

Pissing dog– intersection of Rue des Chartreux (Kartuizersstraat) and Rue du Vieux-Marché (Oude Graanmarkt)

Why of all attractions of their beautiful, cozy city, the people of Brussels are so proud pissing boy- unclear. But still, crowds of tourists come to see it and be disappointed in person.

Palace of the King of Belgium

But this is really worthy and very beautiful sight. To be honest, this palace is also not the permanent home of the Belgian royal family, but is only used for official receptions.

Palace of the King of Belgium

Everything here is as it should be in a real palace - a luxurious staircase, a state hall with white and gold decoration, the Small and Large white halls, in which everything is very elegant and restrained, a hall with tapestries created according to Goya’s sketches, an Italian hall with a harp (on which today the current Queen of Belgium sometimes likes to play). The very best room is the throne room, with huge columns and some chandeliers that are simply unreal in their beauty. But the most unusual one is the hall of mirrors. The hall and the hall, at first glance, but what adds raisin to it is the ceiling, made by order of the Queen... from dark green shells of scarab beetles, shimmering in the Sun.

In general, both the royal palace itself and the garden around it are a must-see Brussels attractions. This place will definitely evoke more emotions than a pissing team.

And, please note – entry to the Royal Palace is free. Rarity, isn't it?

“The Belly of Brussels” – a gastronomic paradise

Available in Brussels a small area (actually, it’s just one street - Rue des Bouchers), located very close to the Grand Place, in which, one after another, there are dozens of restaurants and cafes with a wide variety of cuisine. There are places where you can order the freshest seafood ( LobsterHouse), Italian pizzerias, bars with delicious Belgian beer (for example, DeliriumPub), French restaurants ( LaViellePorte) - in general, very, very many establishments.

What should you be prepared for when you go to "The Belly of Brussels": there are always a lot of people here, so there are few empty seats and you can wait a long time to be served; This is a tourist place, so be prepared for the fact that there will not be any super-atmosphere and individual approach to you - the flow is just that; There are a large number of restaurants in this place, and therefore high competition, so the waiters will very intrusively invite you (literally drag you by force :) to their establishment.

If you are looking for where to eat in Brussels, and you are not afraid of the inconveniences listed above, then look into this in "The Belly of Brussels" definitely worth it - here, despite the popularity and large number of tourists, it is quite inexpensive (there is a set lunch with meal options that does not exceed the cost of 15 euros) and, nevertheless, it is really tasty.

Where to eat in Brussels

In addition to the restaurants located in the “Belly of Brussels”, there are several other good places that are clearly quieter:

RockSaltChilliPeppers a small restaurant that serves good meat (address: 34-36, Rue des Cultes)

Streets of Brussels

WinesBardesMarolles- an establishment with a simply limitless wine list and a very cozy atmosphere. (address: Rue Haute 198)

TontonGarby – and this, roughly speaking, is an ordinary sandwich shop, devoid of any gloss, but very loved by both locals and tourists. There are places that become iconic due to their simplicity and sincerity, and Tonton Garby is one of them. Sitting here is not a good idea, but taking a sandwich with you and going further for a walk around the city is just what you need. (address - 6 Duquesnoy).

MoederLambicFontainas The place to go for excellent Belgian craft beer. If you are in Brussels, then definitely go here - the atmosphere and selection of beer here are wonderful.

Belgian chocolate is the most delicious attraction in Brussels

The last thing I would like to talk about is the edible calling card of Belgium - Belgian chocolate. Here it is sold without exaggeration at every turn. You can buy chocolate, you can taste it.

Showcase of a chocolate shop in Brussels

We will recommend from shops Neuhaus(address: 2, Postweg in Vlezenbeek (Sint-Pieters-Leeuw) – quite inexpensive here compared to other places. There is also a wonderful
Pierre Marcolini with a very large selection (address: Place du Grand Sablon) and Mary Chocolatier– this place, for a second, makes chocolate for the Royal Family (address: 73 Royalstreet).

Conclusion

That's how he is Brussels– different, beautiful, with a lot of interesting places. We told you only about some of them, what we managed to see ourselves, but there is much, much more: a comic book museum, museums of beer, lace, military equipment, a colorful museum of Oriental art, a large number of lovely monuments illustrating our everyday life .

Don’t listen to anyone who calls this city faceless, it has a bright personality, its own atmosphere and it’s worth coming here.

is a large and very interesting city, which is the center of numerous historical monuments and architectural structures. The capital can rightfully be proud of its ancient cathedrals and fortresses, castles and buildings of medieval guilds. So, let's try to decide in 1 day and not be disappointed.

1. There are several “pissing monuments” erected in Brussels, the most famous of which is, of course, . It is also considered the symbol of the city. Looking at this sculpture, you begin to understand how original the Belgians are. This attraction is so small that you can easily walk past and not notice it. On the occasion of the holidays, local residents dress up the peeing boy in various costumes, of which there are already about a thousand and all of them are in the museum.
2. Brussels sculptors decided to continue implementing their unconventional ideas and recently erected a monument to the pissing girl, or as it is called in Belgium - "Janneke Peace". Finding this girl is not so easy, since she is located in one of the small nooks of the central streets. Unlike the Manneken Pis, the bronze girl is not dressed up; she appears before tourists in all her glory. “Janneke Pies” is protected from inquisitive travelers by a metal fence.
3. Be sure to visit the main historical square of Brussels, which is located near the Manneken Pis. The square contains the Brussels City Hall, which has retained its historical value since the 15th century, and. All the buildings of the Grand Place truly delight with their architectural features. Every even-numbered year at the end of summer, the square is decorated with huge colorful begonias. Millions of tourists from all over the world come to see this fascinating picture. Bright performances and competitions are often held here.
4. If you're on a day trip to the city, be sure to visit the city's religious sites. There are a lot of temples here, among them stands out, which cannot be ignored. Organ music plays all the time in this temple, and the magnificent stained glass windows will make an indelible impression on you.
5. After visiting the temples, you can look at the scientific building of an unusual shape -. This structure is designed as a giant model of an iron molecule, consisting of 9 spheres and connecting pipes. The Atomium reaches a height of 102 meters. You can walk along this imaginary molecule. Both externally and internally it looks simply impressive.
6. You can’t help but look into it, which is considered one of the best places in Brussels. Here in a short time you can get acquainted with all the main attractions of Old Europe. Here you can see ancient castles, town halls, fortresses, cathedrals, some parts of streets and squares. All samples of the most beautiful monuments are made with exceptional clarity in a ratio of 1:25. Mini-Europe is recommended for visiting from.
7. During a short excursion, be sure to try the real miracle of Brussels - Belgian waffles. You can buy them on the street, in kiosks or cafes. But the most delicious waffles are considered to be street ones. The vanilla scent, flavored with creamy or chocolate aroma, will remind you of a trip to Brussels for a long time.

Brussels is a city of attractions; there is a lot to see in one day! Wherever you go, a lot of unforgettable impressions are guaranteed. Have a nice trip!

In just a day or a few hours in Brussels, you can see the main attractions without wasting time on sightseeing tours.

It would be logical to start an independent walk around the city from the main square - Grand Place, located just 400 meters from the Central Station. The square's famous landmarks are the Gothic buildings of the Brussels Town Hall and the City Museum, also known as the King's House or the House of Bread. It’s great luck to be in Brussels during the Flower Carpet Festival, which is held every two years in mid-August.

From the square, the tourist route leads along Rue Charles Bull, then along Rue Etuve to the intersection with Chene - there is the Manneken Pis fountain - this, without exaggeration, is the most popular monument in the Belgian capital. The height of the statue is only 61 cm, but it is unlikely that you will be able to pass by: the area near the fountain is always crowded with tourists crowding around and taking photographs of the monument.

You can continue the route to the Mount des Arts, an area built in neoclassical and post-modernist styles, and then go to Treurenberg Hill, where the magnificent Brussels Cathedral is located, built over four centuries and completed at the end of the 15th century. The cathedral is located closer to the station than the Grand Place, so tourists arriving in Brussels by train will find it more convenient to start their sightseeing tour from the temple.

The second half of the day for those who are going to see the best of it is a metro ride to Heysel station, an overview of the sights of Brupark. To see this area in detail, and not just photograph the Atomium, it is better to set aside a separate day.

Panorama "Flower Carpet on the Grand Place"

What to see in Brussels in 2 days

If a visit to Brupark is planned on the second day, then there will be enough time for a tour of the Atomium and a climb to its observation deck, a walk through the nearby landscape and exhibition park “Mini-Europe”.

You can still take the metro (to Maelbeek station or to Montgomery) to the Senkantener (Fiftieth Anniversary) park, created for the National Exhibition of 1880 and named in honor of the 50th anniversary of Belgian independence. The triumphal arch at the entrance to the park was built in 1905. The complex of park attractions includes the Belgian Museum of the Royal Army and Military History and the Auto World Museum, which has an impressive retro collection. You can spend a whole day walking around the park and museum grounds.

Finally, for the second or third day in Brussels, you will be able to plan a visit to exhibitions of interest: visit the Comic Book Museum or go around all the exhibitions of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, watch a play in the theater, finally see the Royal Palace, and when traveling with children, devote the day to attractions and interactive exhibitions.

From Portugal we flew home with a transfer in Brussels. We had quite a lot of time between flights, about six hours, so we decided to go to the center of Brussels and walk around the city.

From Brussels Airport you can reach central attractions by bus or train. We chose the train because, despite the fact that the ticket is more expensive, it travels faster and takes 15-20 minutes one way. The entire train is mostly packed with tourists or migrants from all over the world. And there are quite a few of them in the center of Brussels.

In general, it seems that there are very few native Belgians in the country. As soon as you get into the city, the consequences of the so-called “Brussellization” immediately catch your eye. The fact is that in the 60-70s of the 20th century in the capital of Belgium they began to massively demolish historical buildings and build offices from glass and concrete. Moreover, judging by the result, the aesthetic appearance of the new buildings and their compatibility with the surviving ancient houses were not thought through.

At the end of the 19th century, King Leopold II of Belgium had already made attempts to demolish historical buildings, including the most famous Grand Place in Brussels, but then the mayor of the capital, Charles Bouls, was able not only to defend the ancient buildings, but also to achieve their reconstruction.

In memory of the services of the former mayor, a monument to Charles Bouls was erected in a small square next to the Grand Place, where he was depicted sitting by a fountain with a book and his beloved dog. It’s only a pity that later the city did not have such a zealous defender of antiquity.

Then we headed towards the Grand Place along the streets lined with numerous restaurants and souvenir shops. There are a huge number of people here. For tourists, they sell famous Belgian waffles with various fillings and Belgian chocolate, one of the most delicious in the world.

We go out to the relatively small but very ancient central square of Brussels, the Grand Place. Once upon a time there were impenetrable swamps in its place; in the 12th century they were drained and a trading area with covered pavilions was laid out. One of the buildings was called the “bread house” because it housed a grain warehouse. It has survived to this day; naturally, it has been rebuilt many times over the past centuries, but individual elements are striking in their antiquity.

By the way, the second name of this house in French sounds like “House of the King,” although it is known that monarchs never lived in this building.

At the beginning of the 15th century, the city hall began to be built on the square. This is also one of the few buildings in the city that survived numerous fires and enemy attacks. The remaining houses on the square were built mainly in the 17th-18th centuries. guilds of various artisans.

The most important events in the city have long taken place on the Grand Place: royal decrees were read out here, knightly tournaments were held, city uprisings began and magnificent festivities were held on holidays. The famous writer Victor Hugo, who lived for some time in Brussels, called this square one of the most beautiful in Europe. You can argue with this, at least it seems a little gloomy to me, but the openwork facades of the buildings and the magnificent Gothic statues decorating the city hall and craft houses are undoubtedly very interesting.

Every two years, the Grand Place delights tourists with its “carpet of flowers.” Starting on August 15, the entire area is covered with flowers for several days, creating a surprisingly colorful spectacle. Tourists from all over the world come to gaze at this miracle.

Unfortunately, although our trip fell on the correct even-numbered year, it happened somewhat earlier than this unusual event. The Grand Place, like most tourist towns, has its own place for fulfilling wishes.

In the arcade of the House of the Star there is a bas-relief monument to the important political figure of the 14th century, Lord Everard Circle. During his life, he was elected several times by the residents as head of the municipal council and freed the city from the rule of the Count of Flanders. In 1388, he survived a villainous assassination attempt and died on the very spot where, at the end of the 19th century, a memorable bas-relief, popularly called the “Sleeping Knight,” appeared. There is a legend that anyone who touches the lord's hand can count on the fulfillment of their cherished desire. That is why there are always a lot of people around the monument, and the entire bas-relief literally shines with gold.

Next to the “Sleeping Knight” there is a memorial plaque dedicated to the mayor Charles Bouls and the architects who restored the Grand Place in the 19th century.

Past the arcade of the House of the Star we go to another famous landmark of Brussels - the so-called “Manneken Pis”. If it weren’t for the crowds of people trying to take pictures with this miniature sculpture, I would never have noticed it.

On a small hill there is a sculpture of a baby peeing in the pool. According to legend, such a fountain appeared in Brussels back in 1388 and was associated with the legend of how an unknown boy peed on enemy ammunition and thereby saved the city from fire.

According to the second legend, during one of the battles, the leader of the army hung a cradle with his son on a tree, under which the battle was supposed to break out. According to his plan, the sight of the future heir was supposed to inspire soldiers to victory. However, instead of encouraging the warriors, the baby peed on them. However, this bronze baby has become very popular in the city. Many sculptors worked on his image, but the statue is constantly stolen. The last time this happened was in the 60s. XX century. In addition, we were lucky to catch the pissing boy dressed in yet another outfit. For various holidays, he is dressed in a wide variety of costumes, of which there are more than 800, and they are stored in a special museum.

Then we walked along the central streets, which would have seemed completely faceless if not for various interesting graffiti. The fact is that Brussels is considered the birthplace of comics, and therefore even the walls of houses here are decorated with certain characters from cartoon stories.

Just before leaving for the airport, we sat in one of the pubs and tried the famous Belgian beer, which is considered one of the most delicious in the world. There are about a thousand different varieties, including those with fruit fillings. This is such a popular drink that even in ancient times there were as many breweries in the city as churches. I have never tasted better beer anywhere than in Brussels.

In general, this city does not stand out for its special beauty, and rather disappoints with the awkwardness of its architecture and the huge number of migrants and homeless people. However, its central square, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as several other historical sites are definitely worth seeing with your own eyes.