Saint Maximin is Thionville’s first parish. It dates back to 930, when it belonged to Maximin Abbey in Trier, Germany. This structure dates from the 12th century, but of course its existence has not been without drama! For example, it was significantly rebuilt in the 15th century following fire damage. Then, in the 18th century, […]
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Thionville Belfry
This is not just any old 4th century belfry – it served as a prison for the bourgeoisie during the French Revolution. Today, Thionville might seem like a sleepy little city straddling the Moselle, but its central location has thrust it into countless conflicts throughout the centuries. There’s a reason why ancient walls and ruins […]
Musée Magritte
Since Magritte is one of Belgium’s most beloved artists, it is only fitting that an entire wing of the Musée Royaux des Beaux-Arts should be dedicated to his work. Since it opened in 2009, the Musée Magritte houses the largest collection of the surrealist’s paintings and drawings. It’s fascinating to walk through Magritte’s career and […]
Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique
This mid-sized gallery offers a great overview of regional art. The collection spans from the 15th to the 20th centuries and focuses on local superstars such as Bruegel, van der Weyden, Jordaens, Rubens. The modern collection is impressive, with 19th and 20th century work by Belgian artists mixed in with pieces by Seurat, Dali and […]
Cathédrale des Sts-Michel & Gudule
When we saw this Roman Catholic church, I had to look twice to make sure we weren’t in Paris, for Cathédrale des Sts-Michel & Gudule is a smaller, slightly modified version of Notre Dame de Paris. When this grand church was founded in 1047, the relics of martyr Saint Gudula (previously housed in a different, […]
Église Notre-Dame des Riches Claires
This is not a particularly notable church, but when we walked by and popped inside, I was struck by the beauty. This church was constructed in the 17th century in the Flemish Renaissance style.
Brussels City Museum
Don’t know much about Brussels? Stop by this small museum for a crash history course. The first floor displays wall tapestries, goldsmith work, ceramics, paintings and altars. On the second floor, view old maps, architectural relics, more paintings and my personal favorites, the miniature scale city models. The third floor has historical documents, manuscripts and, […]
Église St-Nicolas
This Romanesque church dates back 1,000 years to the origins of Brussels, though little remains of the original chapel. Its 11th-century lines are concealed by a 14th-century Gothic facade and the repairs made after the French bombardment of 1695, from which a cannonball is still lodged in one of the pillars.
Église Notre-Dame du Finistère
This church has a simple exterior and a beautiful baroque interior. Although the original church was built in the 15th century, what we see today was built in 1708. A big draw is the gigantic statue, Our Lady of Finistère, which was transported from Cap Finistère in Spain. The 18th century pulpit depicts the Tree […]
St. Maria im Kapitol
This is the largest of the Romanesque churches in Cologne, and an easy one to miss since it’s right across from the Chocolate Museum! St. Maria im Kapitol was constructed in the 11th century and is the second church to stand on this site, over the foundations of a 50 A.D. Roman temple. The first […]
