Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is a cosmopolitan city where many different cultures live together and where different languages can be heard on each street. As headquarters of many European institutions, it’s a capital for the European Union. Being at the crossroads it’s playing an important role in Europe and fits the definition of the archetypal “melting pot”, but still retains its own unique character.
Representing The Norwegian Computer Society, I quite often go to Brussels e.g. in CEPIS meetings; Council of European Professional Informatics Societies, representing over 300,000 informatics professionals in 33 countries. As a network evangelist, it’s a thrill talking with and making friends with people from all over Europe – a great way to get new insight in the diversity and similarity of our cultures, traditions and habits. Further more, when I have the chance, I love to explore the same variety and contrast in the different architectural styles that can be found in the city; the former capital of the medieval Duchy of Brabant. Last week, I had some extra hours and walked around with my Nikon camera and you’re welcome to join me. Let’s start with a waterhole where they serve my favourite Belgium beer: Stella Artois:
Grand’Place or Grote Market:
Just around the corner, you’ll find the heart of Brussels and the place to start getting to know the city. This historic market square with its splendid guild houses and the impressive Gothic beauty of the Town Hall, is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe:
The Town Hall and the square starts to get decorated for Christmas.
Once there, you know it from the size of the square, the breath taking architecture and because there are tourists with world wide languages taking pictures and posing:
The square attracts special occasions or celebrations too. When I was there the 20th of November, Students of l’Université libre de Bruxelles were honouring The Free University of Brussels. Founded in 1834, it was a reaction against the catholic domination in higher education. Its name refers to the complete freedom of inquiry which is the founding principle of the university, and to the freedom of domination by either state or religious authorities. Like almost every institution in the bilingual Belgium, the Brussels University has been split up into French and a Dutch-speaking part:
Manneken Pis:
Just a short walk from the Grand Place Market is the Manneken Pis, a small bronze statue thought to represent the “irreverent spirit” of Brussels:
Another popular place to pose as a tourist :-)
This statue of a child performing one of Nature’s most basic functions is believed to have been inspired by a child who, while in a tree, found a special way to drive away invading troops. Belgians have created hundreds of outfits for this statue and this day of course it was Students of l’Université libre de Bruxelles :-)
Windows shopping:
Brussels and Belgium is famous for a lot – let’s explore through window shopping and I’ll let the photos speaks for themselves:
Left above: Chocolates – Right above: Sweets, biscuits and more yummy
Left below: Beer – Right below: Belgium lace
The Fish Market:
Just to the north of Grand Place. Brussels’ restaurant gauntlet can be found in Rue des Bouchers – Beenhouwerstraat, and side streets. You find all kinds of Belgian cuisine of course, but as a Norwegian I look for seafood and find a lot – that’s why I call it a Fish Market (read my post from a previous for more details):
Left: Seafood stand – Right: The narrow and cosy restaurant street.
This again shows one reason why I love my hobby, blogging. It adds a new dimension to my love of travelling. In my travels I am always thinking of my blog, and its contents which I like to be informative. In this way I pay more attention and learn more about the places I visit so I can share it with my favourite readers. That’s one reason why I would like to invite others to have the same experience in Oslo, and I would love to show you around you know. Click to see the constant improving program of The Oslo Blog Gathering 2010!
Ah so many wonderful places to visit. I find that one lifetime may not be enough.
Uauu! Your photos are wonderful!
What a wonderful tour for those of us that have never been. I stopped off at the seafood place and stuff myself. Yummy. Okay, I like food.
Have a terrific day. Big hug to you and Diane. :)
I think my pocketbook would be much lighter if I spent very much time in Brussels! So many yummy foods to sample!
Glad you had another good visit there, Renny.
Happy American Thanksgiving to you and Diane and your family, dear Renny. :-)
Love and hugs,
Diane
These pictures are wonderful, Renny. Beer and chocolate and a beautiful city–what can go wrong??
Beautiful pictures! My husband and I have talked about visiting Brussels and this blog post has convinced me it’s time to move beyond “talk.” I can taste the Stella already… :-)
I like how the little boy is always pissing with a different costume on.
I really liked wandering around Brussels, the city has so much lovely architecture- and excellent food!
Great shots, Renny!! and so sunny! I was only once there and I have a dark, gray memory…!
Beautiful post
i was there often :-)
And manneke pis is world famous …… LOL
This brings back some memories! I had to go to Brussels for work and I can remember so well sitting in the square with a hot chocolate, thinking how wonderful it was. It must be even more beautiful when decorated for Christmas.
Great coverage… and now I am homesick ! :-(
When I look at these pictures, I realize what I miss here in North America. People walking. In pedestrian streets. Haven’t seen that in a while!
One of my best memories in Brussels was eating at a restaurant which only had one huge table, at which all the customers would sit and chat. Very cool.
Great shots, Renny! Makes me want to rush right over!
It looks like a photographer’s heaven, and when you can have Stella Artois in addition :-)
Brussels, one of the cities in Europe I wish to visit..thanks for taking me there Renny and sharing these wonderful pictures.
you seems to have a lot of fun there..
just letting you know that I will be away for a long vacation in my home country for almost three months..I hope I can still have time to update my blogs….yes I will! take care Renny!
ooppsss. have to go to bed now…i’m flying tomorrow early!
i have to look again to your wonderful travel photos before I totally bid goodbye! hope to visit this next year!
What a lovely city! And a lovely report…
I miss the travels so much. I think a vacation would be wonderful, not sure when that will happen again…
Love all the photos Renny! It’s next on my list! :)
Renny – such lovely photos remind me of our visit to Brussels almost two years ago. It was the kids first trip overseas and I have some great pictures of the children running with their cousin across the square. Thank you for sharing your trip.
Hey Renny,
Brussels is indeed beautiful although it has a heavy energy (in the air – it is probably the heaviest in Europe; I don’t know why).
Belgium Chocolate is dreamy!! I simply love it!
I loved the pics, thanks for having shared your trip with us, man :D!
Cheers
Great post on Brussels! You make me want to visit again :-)
You have a fantastic website. Great shots.
I’ve visited some of the places you mentioned and just got this hunch feeling I’ll be back in Brussel very very soo n ;)
The UK took the revenue and Maggie used it for class struggle to beat the unions by funding unemployment. Norway treated it as a shred national resource, the UK auctioned it off to the highest bidder and then frittered away the money.
Great coverage post about Brussel. Earlier I had no special urge to visit Brussel, but lately I’ve begin to change my mind… Of course, I often want to go almost everywhere… *giggles*
Like Oslo, Brüssels begins to become so familiar for me just reading and admiring the blogs about, Gattina and yours. can’t wait the day I will visit this place.
Very impressive architectures. No wonder world languages can be heard on the square. It is worthwhile to have a local guide and know more about those buildings and their stories.
Wow nice pictures. I like the architectures. Thanks for sharing this one.
If you loved Brussels, I suggest you to visit http://www.brusselseyes.com that shows you another image of the city, more confidential. this site intends to promote author’s and Brussels is the subject.
Enjoy (but it’s into french)
It is a good posting. I like it. It’s pretty much impressive.
webroyalty
Happy new year.2010
this is outstanding posting for comment,
thank you.
Very impressive work. I liked your work. You did very well posting. Good luck with your work. ;)
webroyalty
It’s really a good posting. I like it. It’s pretty much impressive to me. i think others will agree with me.
webroyalty
So nice and good posting. i liked it. keep going. :)
Awesome posting man!
You are a great blogger. I like your work. Truly you are a genius.
Keep up the good work Man!!
I agree, Stella Artois is definitly the best belgium beer.