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.
Comic Strip Murals
Turning a corner in Brussels can land you smack in the middle of a comic strip! Here are some we stumbled across.
Grand Place
Now you’re talking, Brussels! This beautiful cobblestone square makes up for all the bland concrete development throughout the rest of the city. Back in the 11th century, Grand Place began as a market in the dried-up marshes near the River Senne. In the 13th century, three indoor markets were built that offered meat, bread and […]
Hôtel de Ville
Here’s the real star of the Grand Place. Hôtel de Ville is comprised of a group of buildings built around an internal courtyard. The side facing the square was built in the 15th century. The stone façade features Gothic gargoyles and reliefs of nobility. The 96-meter tall tower is topped by a statue of St-Michel, […]
Maison du Roi
The Maison du Roi is one of the many eye-catching structures surrounding Brussels’ Grand Place. How can you go wrong with arches, verdigris statues and mini-spires? It certainly did not start out so grand. In the 13th century, the Maison de Roi was known as Broodhuis, (Bread Hall), and was indeed a wood building that […]
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.
