BRUSSELS – Nightsky's trip to the Belgian capital

[SLO]

Spectacular city, reminded me how I love classical architecture.

[Nightsky]

MONT DES ARTS (KUNSTBERG):

Mont des Arts (Kunstberg) is a hill right above Brussels Old Town, next to the Royal Palace. Here you find the beautifully landscaped square Place de L'Albertine, as well as the Museum of Music Instruments, Margritte Museum, the Royal Library and the Brussels Meeting Centre. In the 19th century King Leopold II bought the hill to turn it to an art district. Several old buildings were demolished to make way for the project, that stood empty for years because of financial problems. Mont des Arts, that means Hill of Arts, offers some of the best views of Brussels.








The beautiful Old England art nouveau building and Coudenberg St, where the old Coudenberg Palace stood.


The landscaped garden in the hills of Mont des Arts, right above Place de l'Albertine. There was another garden on the same site, built for the Universal Exhibition in 1910. The new one was landscaped by René Péchère. The equestrian statue that can be seen just in front of the Town Hall is King Albert I and is situated at Place de l'Albertine.










Place de l'Albertine (Albertinaplein) is a half circle shaped square right below Mont des arts. It could be said to be the beginning of the Old Town.






The old jugend elevator of Old England Bldg (MIM) is very special; it has open views to the floors and decorated doors, it's a bit shaky, almost a bit scary but fascinating.

CENTRAL STATION:


Brussels Central Station (Bruxelles Central/Brussel Centraal) is the main railway station of Brussels. It was completed in 1952 and is situated right next to Place de l'Albertine, below Kunstberg. Since all tracks are built underground, you will hardly notice the building is actually a railway station. It actually feels pretty small inside, this is the main hall in marble art deco.



http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Bru...Albertine.html

[Nightsky]

SQUARE DE LA PUTTERIE (PUTTERIJSQUARE):







MARCHÉ AUX HERBES (GRASMARKT):


Grasmarkt (Flemish) or Marché aux Herbes (French), Herb Market, is a square between Grand Place and Place de l'Albertine where you find open air restaurants, a market, sculptures, waffel stands and the Moff Comics Museum.







PLACE DE L'ESPAGNE (SPANJEPLEIN):







http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Bru...Albertine.html

[Benonie]

Great set of pictures from one of my favourit European cities!

[Nightsky]

^Thanks! More here:

NORTH OF PARC DE BRUXELLES, CONGRESS QUARTIERS:
Place De La Nation, St Michael's Cathedral, Belgian Parliament, Congress Quartiers, Rue Royale

This page is about the Congress Quartiers, the area immediately to the North, Northwest and West of Brussels Park (Parc de Bruxelles) in the city center. Here you find the palace of the Belgian Parliament, the gothic Cathedral of St-Michel, the imposing Congress Column with the tomb of the unknown soldier at Place Congress, the statue of Baron Horta and several interesting buildings, restaurants, pubs and monuments. To the west goes Rue Royale.


Cathédrale St-Michel-et-Gudule - Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula was built between 1226 and 1519. The most prominent gothic church of Brussels is standing on Tuerenberg Hill, between the Congress Center and the Old Town, with the front at Place Ste-Gudule close to the Central Station, and is surrounded by modern buildings.













The Palace of the Nation (Palais de la Nation), the Belgian Parliament is situated at Place de la Nation, on Rue de la Loi (Wetstraat) just to the North of Parc de Bruxelles. This neo-classic edifice was completed in 1783 to host the Sovereign Concil of Brabant.



PLACE DU CONGRES (CONGRESPLAATS):


The Congress Column (Colonne du Congrès) is a 47m high corinthian column that commemorates the creation of the Belgian state by the National Congress in 1830-31. It stands at Place du Congres (Congresplaats) at the intersection Rue Royale/Rue de Congresse with a statue of King Leopold I on top. It was inaugurated in 1859.









RUE ROYALE (KONINGSSTRAAT):












Eglise Royale Sainte-Marie (St Mary´s Royal Church), a roman catholic parish church in the Northern end of Rue Royale. It was built 1845-85 in an eclectic style, combining roman and byzantine architecture.

http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Brussels_Congress.html

[Nightsky]

EUROPEAN QUARTERS - PLACE DU LUXEMBOURG (LUXEMBURGPLEIN), AGORA S.VELL, ESPACE LÉOPOLD, EU PARLIAMENT AND RUE DU LUXEMBOURG:









This small building in classic style at Place du Luxembourg is situated in the center of the Espace Léopold complex and houses the information center. It is the only bulding in older style.


The statue of John Cockerill stands in the middle of Place du Luxembourg, right in front of the EU information center and the parliament, and is a connection point for people. During our stay we saw demonstration and football championship events.


Espace Léopold (Leopoldruimte in Flemish) is the name of the huge complex of postmodern buildings that houses the European Parliament, a legislative chamber of the EU. Paul-Henri Spaak Building (picture above) is the oldest and Altiero Spinello is the largest. The complex started constructed in 1989 and has been extended several times since. The whole complex is enormous, about 400m wide and has 17 floors!


The Henri-Spaak Building, the oldest building in the parliament. The official seat of the European Parliament is in Strasbourg, but this complex was built to be closer to the other EU institutions, that are located in Brussels, and the one in Brussels hosts the majority of these. The leaders cannot manage to agree where to place the parliament!


The Euro statue outside the parliament building, at Rue Wiertz. A symbol of the strenght of the Euro? Ironically, some people see it as the symbol of the European debt that rises...








Espace Léopold and the EU sculpture




Demonstration against homelessness outside the EU parliament






Margot Wallström, A Swedish minister, planted this tree, "European Voice".






Altiero Spinelli, the largest building of the European Parliament was constructed 1991-97. It was named after one of the founders of the EU. Here it is seen from Agora S.Vell, right after Luxembourg Square.


Inside the EU parliement there are long atrium with 7 floors, glass roofs and skybridges that connect the secions.

http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Brussels_European.html

[Martin Mtl]

Great tour !

[Nightsky]

Originally Posted by Martin Mtl

Great tour !

Thanks! More will come!

[dc_denizen]

now I regret not visiting this summer. Great pics!

[Nightsky]

Thanks!

MORE EUROPEAN QUARTERS:




Rue du Luxembourg (Luxemburgstraat) towards Place du Luxembourg and the EU Parliament


Gare du Luxembourg (Luxembourg train station) is where we arrived with the train from the airport. The station is situated between 2 futuristic EU buildings.


Square de Meeûs is a small square park situated on both sides of Rue de Luxembourg, between Place du TrôneSquare de Meeûs is a small square park situated on both sides of Rue de Luxembourg between Place du Luxembourg and Place du Trône, between the Royal Palace and the EU Parliament. It is a nice park to sit down and relax.










Place du Trône (Troonpleis) with the 25-storey Bastion Tower from 1970

PLACE DU LUXEMBOURG AT SUNSET:


European Parliament at Place du Luxembourg, seen at sunset.






Parlamentarium, European Parliament. A sort of museum about EU for visitors.



OUR HOTEL, RENAISSANCE BRUSSELS:

We stayed at the 4 star Renaissance Brussels Hotel at the Rue du Parnasse in the European Quarter, right next to the huge EU Parliament. The location is about 15 minutes walk to the Old town, and even closer to the Royal Palace. The hotel is a modern 7-storey building, built in 1995 and renovated in 2010. It has an elegant but a bit impersonal interior. It has 262 rooms and is part of the Marriott/Renaissance chain. The room was really large and nice with a large flatscreen TV, a large king size bed and a long corridor. It was furnished in earth colours and had views over a small street. The staff were very friendly, but the breakfast is really expensive (25 euro and 15 euro with discount) so it is hardly worth the money, and they made a mistake to charge to much, that was corrected later after many e-mails. But for the hotel over all we got really good value for money. The hotel has a bar, a Starbucks, a restaurant, a gym and a pool in the basement.








The super expensive breakfast - 15-25 euro!





http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Brussels_European.html

[Nightsky]

PARC DU CINQUANTENAIRE (JUBELPARK):
European Quarter, Arch Of Triumph, Schumanplein, Berlaymont

Jubelpark (Flemish) or Parc du Cinquantenaire (French) is a large park (30 hectares) in the East part of central Brussels, part of the European Quarter. It is situated in the City of Brussels municipality but borders Etterbeck municipality to the East. The park was constructed in 1880, for the 50th anniversary of the independence of Belgium. The name means "park for the 50th anniversary". Many structures were constructed to show the richness of Belgium, the most prominent one is the Arch of Triumph, that is built together with the Monument of Cinquanentenaire, where you find a large car museum (Autoworld), a large military museum and a large art museum (Cinquantenaire). You can have a dinner in the sky in front of the arch. There is a also a large mosque in the park, that is Brussels oldest. Military parades, drive in movies and running games are among activities that take place in the park.

There will be a special section about the vintage car museum Autoworld that is situated in the park..


Parc du Cinquantenaire. The Arch of Triumph is situated in the middle of the park, built together with the Royal Military Museum, the Cinquantenaire Art Museum and the AutoWorld car museum.










Avenue John F. Kennedy (Kennedylaan) is a highway that goes right through the park in the Belliard Tunnel, but since it is situated below the ground, you will hardly notice or hear from it. However there are plans to enclose it.




Dinner in the sky is a restaurant were you are lifted into the sky by a high crane while having diner!


Dinner in the sky, here on the ground. The chairs have seatbelts.


Dinner in the sky, entrance. Brussels is not the only city with a branch of this crazy concept.




Square Montgomery in Etterbeck municipality in the East end of Jubelpark

http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Bru...Jubelpark.html

[Nightsky]

ROND-POINT ROBERT SCHUMAN / SCHUMANPLEIN AND LE BERLAYMONT:


Berlaymont Building is the seat of the European Commission, built in 1969. This huge curved shape buildning was formerly a symbol of the EU in media, before the newer buildings at Place Luxembourg were constructed. From above it has the shape of an asymmetrical cross. It has an area of 240 000m² on 18 floors, 42 escalators and 12 elevators.






Office buildings, many of them EU buildings, at Schumanplein. To the right is the Berlaymont building.






Royal Military School




Small scale buildings near the huge Berlaymont.

http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Bru...Jubelpark.html

[Nightsky]

EUROPEAN QUARTER WEST OF JUBELPARK:


Belview, a tall new(2014) resiential skyscraper next to a park. It is 90m and 24 floors tall.


EU:s Assembley Building of Locals and Regionales (Comité des Regions).


Towards the European Parliament, Rue du Remorqueur


Rue Stevin/Stevinstraat near Jubelpark has many picturesque townhouses.


After leaving the park, the streets around Schumanplein were controlled by the police. The police officers prevented people to cross to Schumanplein, forcing people to walk many many blocks around just to cross one street!


Even police helicopters were controlling the area, leaving a scarry feeling of a control state in the future!


It turned out that a caravan of black luxury cars, probably with top politicans, escorted by police vehicles with sirens and blue lights in a fast speed, was the cause of the barriers.

http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Bru...Jubelpark.html

[peanut gallery]

Wow, Brussels had not previously been on my radar of places to visit -- mostly because there are just so many beautiful cities in Europe I still haven't visited. But I hope to make it there some day. I'd really like to see Mini-Europe. That looks really cool.

[Nightsky]

Originally Posted by peanut gallery

Wow, Brussels had not previously been on my radar of places to visit -- mostly because there are just so many beautiful cities in Europe I still haven't visited. But I hope to make it there some day. I'd really like to see Mini-Europe. That looks really cool.

Then you are lucky! Cause next post is actually about Mini-Europe!

MINI-EUROPE:
Northern Brussels, Heysel, The Village, Bruparck

Mini-Europe is a theme park about the countries in the European Union. They are all represented by landscapes with buildings, streetscapes, nature, famous landmarks and monuments, all very detailed in scale 1:25. 80 cities and 350 buildings are represented. If you push a button you can hear each countries national anthem. It is also cool to see that cars, trains, boats and human figures are moving and there are some miniature action events. Mini-Europe is situated in the Heysel district in Northern Brussels, just next to the Atomium. It is part of the large recreational area called Bruparck Brussels, that also include the Oceade Water Park, the Cinepolis 24 screen cinema and The Village with restaurants and pubs in small townhouses in Flemish style. It occupies an area of 24,000 m² and was inaugurated by Prince Philip of Belgium in 1989. With 350 000 visitors a year it is one of Europe's leading attractions.
Mini-Europe is in a way sort of a propaganda theme park for the European Union. We were lucky, because after our visit it started to rain heavily!









London
















Grand Place, Brussels








Copenhagen!


City Hall, Sweden!


http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Bru...inieurope.html

[mousquet]

Yeah well, by nature, the most perfect and faithful city to make a continental capital. That's why I don't mind too much about the little advantage they've got from that comfy situation. It's just the most deserving in that matter. Even when Switzerland would be a member of the union, none of their Swiss cities could rival it. The EU may be annoying sometimes, they simply made the best possible choice for their capital, which is a sign, I guess... I'd just like to see it federal and more democratic rather than that technocratic machine ruled by heavy lobbies in my lifetime, if possible.

[SHiRO]

Originally Posted by Nightsky

With 350 000 visitors a year it is one of Europe's leading attractions.

I've never been to Mini-Europe but I'd love to. We have something similar in the Netherlands called Madurodam in The Hague which is a mini Netherlands. Mini-Europe should be even more fun though (or what about that huge miniature world in Hamburg?). For Mini-Europe to be one of Europe's leading attractions it needs about twenty times more visitors though.

[Nightsky]

@mousquet: I agree that the countries should have more influence in the EU. But it was interesting to visit Brussels like a city with a rich history and the capital of Belgium, and not only the EU capital that they talk about in the media.

Originally Posted by SHiRO

I've never been to Mini-Europe but I'd love to. We have something similar in the Netherlands called Madurodam in The Hague which is a mini Netherlands. Mini-Europe should be even more fun though (or what about that huge miniature world in Hamburg?). For Mini-Europe to be one of Europe's leading attractions it needs about twenty times more visitors though.

About Mini-Europe as one of Europe's leading attractions, that's the statement in the broschure that I got from them.

Madurodam! I visited in the 80s as a child, I still have the broschure left from the visit. It's very big but the main difference is that Madurodam is mostly concentrated on Dutch cities while Mini-Europe is about the EU countries.

More photos will come!

[mousquet]

Originally Posted by Nightsky

But it was interesting to visit Brussels like a city with a rich history and the capital of Belgium, and not only the EU capital that they talk about in the media.

Sure. You're right, I apologize for my little sarcasm.

As a matter of fact, Mickey Mouse's theme parks in the Paris burbs still must own the record on the entire continent... Holy crap, yes they do.

The park is the second busiest Disney park by number of visitors with 15.6 million visitors in 2013 placing it in between Disneyland Anaheim in California, USA, and Walt Disney World in Florida, USA.

That usual source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disneyland_Paris

I don't really know how that thing ended up over here. I heard sunnier and warmer Barcelona firmly competed with us to earn it, but they eventually chose Paris because it attracts tons of tourists anyway. Bon, of course I have nothing against Disney, it's a great deal to my place. But it'd be cool to have something of our own to lead our local entertainment market, though. Disney is just super ambitious, pouring a lot of dollars over their theme parks.

Sorry about pushing the off-topic further, I just thought it'd be informative to note.

[Nightsky]

The number of visitors is not the most important thing, it's what you think is interesting that is the most important thing. In my opinion theme parks like Mini-Europe and Madurodam are more appealling then Disneyland and similar theme parks. The models are architecturally interesting and they feel more genuine. They don't have any rollercoasters or other rides though. It is always hard to get numbers right, there are several ways to count just like population figures.