TOURISTS' ANSWERS:

People who have visited Brussels are divided into two categories: those who believe that there is nothing to do there (the city can be explored in 3-4 hours) and those who, having lived there for a couple of weeks, did not have time to see everything. Both opinions have a right to exist. And in order to accept one point of view or another, you need to visit this controversial city. Although, probably, this can be said about any city. After all, being in different places on our globe, different people solve different problems - that’s why they have different attitudes towards the places they visit.

Good weather doesn't often happen in Brussels - leaden skies are a common sight. This city also cannot boast of stunning buildings - all around there are buildings made of glass and concrete, diluted with houses of different ages. The specificity of the city is not “streaming” sightseeing (when, just walking, you explore the city), but visiting individual objects, sometimes located at a decent distance from each other.

Most people associate Brussels with the famous “Pissing Boy” fountain, but few people know that there are a couple more monuments of a similar theme there: “Pissing Girl” and “Pissing Dog”

and this is in the city where the headquarters of the European Union and the NATO office are located - it is felt that the Europeans are all right with humor.

Of course, one of the most visited places by tourists is Grand Place. The square is very beautiful, surrounded by houses built in the 17th century. You can see nearby monument to the mayor of Brussels Charles Bouls. It was he who preserved the square in its original form.

In general, for us a monument is something monumental, large, majestic. The Belgians have a different opinion. For them, a monument is unequally exalted and pompous:

Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula in Brussels- a prominent representative of Gothic art. All epithets will fade with his beauty. He's not great, he's stunning. Its beauty and grandeur are indescribable. Neither a photograph nor a video can convey all the power and at the same time the lightness of this structure:

The doors of the cathedral are open every day from 8 am to 6 pm.

And this is also Brussels:

Perhaps the most unexpected attraction of the European capital. The construction of these unusual structures for Europe was the fun of King Leopold II, but after his death, it turned from fun into a museum of oriental art. It features a Japanese pagoda and a Chinese pavilion, which displays a collection of Chinese porcelain. The museums are located near Heysel Stadium and are open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Monday. Entrance 3 euros.

If you find yourself in Brussels on the eve of such a famous event as the "Night of Museums" - I do not envy you. Just one! night and a lot of museums, which even a few days are not enough to explore. "Museum of Chocolate and Cocoa"; "Museum of Comics"; "Beer Museum"; "Museum of Musical Instruments"; "Royal Museums of Fine Arts" - and this is just a small list. Here you will have to make a painful choice between your passions.

Rene Magritte Museum. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday (10 am to 5 pm). Surrealism begins immediately - from the building in which the museum is located:

The magnificent collection of paintings by this famous Belgian artist will not leave indifferent even those who are far from art.

Museum of Costume and Lace. Opening hours Thursday-Tuesday (from 10 to 17). This is a different kind of beauty than paintings and architecture. Here you can get acquainted with the weightless and delightful products of local lacemakers, national costumes for adults and children.

Army Museum. It’s surprising that a museum on such a theme is located right here. After all, Belgium is a non-military state, but the collection of weapons, tools, and ammunition in Brussels is rich. The museum area is huge. Large equipment is located in hangars. The entrance is free.

Autoworld Museum is located opposite the military one. The exhibition is arranged according to a time frame, so that as you walk between exhibits, you observe the evolution of the automotive industry. Entrance 9 euros.

It’s important for each person! And Brussels offers this of its own. This is a city where everything is in moderation. It is not overloaded with attractions, but that is its charm. There are many museums and authentic streets here. There are funny monuments and strict cathedrals here. The most delicious waffles, beer and chocolate are here. Perhaps a few hours will be enough for someone to see the MAIN attractions, but who knows WHAT exactly these attractions are? The ones described in guidebooks? Come to Brussels and find YOUR place here!

Is the answer helpful?

Despite the global post-war reconstruction, the capital of Belgium still has something to see for visiting tourists. Consider such city attractions as the Royal Palace and the Atomium.

Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is located on a small hill in the Brussels Park. Due to its strategic advantages, this area has been attractive to members of ruling families for centuries. Already at the end of the eleventh century, Kaudenberg Castle was located here - the Dukes of Brabant lived in it for several centuries, until the fire of 1731. The first modern Royal Palace was founded in the eighteenth century during the reign of William the First.

After a century, a revolution took place in Belgium, and the first ruler of the new country was Leopold of Saxe-Coburg. But significant changes in the interiors of the building began only during the reign of his heir, Leopold II, who preferred more luxurious living conditions. The area of ​​the Palace doubled, the interior decoration of many chambers was updated, giving it greater pomp and splendor. The modern facade, pleasing to the eye of tourists today, appeared in the Royal Palace in 1904.

These days, the royal residence is located in the Laeken Palace, and formal meetings are held in the Royal Palace. Now anyone can have free access to the inner chambers and galleries of the Palace. Nowadays, any tourist can see the Mirror Room, which has a ceiling decorated with the wings of scarab beetles, as well as the Imperial Room, which has excellent golden pots with eleven flowers - each of them representing one of the Belgian provinces. The most luxurious and magnificent room is the Throne Room. It was initially created as a room where social balls were held - in pursuance of the order of Leopold II. The way the hall is chicly decorated, the splendor of crystal chandeliers, the dimensions of the room in width and height - all this allows us to understand the influence of pompous and luxurious French classical architectural art on King Leopold II of Belgium.

One of the palace buildings houses the Bellevue Museum. In former times it was a hotel under the same name. Many famous personalities have visited here. Nowadays, the Belgian Historical Museum is located here - in it you can see artifacts and archives that are related to the emergence and development of the Belgian nation - from 1830 to the present day.

The Royal Palace is open from July to September, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00.

The Bellevue Museum is open from Tuesday to Friday, from 10:00 to 17:00, on weekends from 10:00 to 18:00.

As for the cost of visiting, admission to the Royal Palace is free, but a fee is charged for visiting the Bellevue Museum: adults - five euros, pensioners and groups of 15 people - four euros per person, students pay three euros. For children and teenagers under eighteen years of age, admission is free.

Atomium

The industrial twentieth century will remain in the memory of generations as a time of comprehending the secrets of the atom and using its hidden power for various purposes. One of the symbols of the capital of Belgium is a monument that symbolizes the endless prospects for the peaceful use of energy hidden in the atom. It's called Atomium.

To see this architectural marvel, you should take tram number 81, which departs from the central part of the city, passing a series of solid, but very monotonous buildings that are characteristic of today's Europe, and get off at the final station of Heysel. Here you will see this breathtaking structure, which is rightfully considered one of the capital’s attractions.

The monument sparkling in the sun is a model of an iron molecule enlarged one hundred and sixty-five billion times. It was designed by Andre Waterkein. In essence, the Atomium is a huge, one hundred and two meters high, very complex structure, which includes nine spheres, each eighteen meters in diameter, as well as twenty pipes connecting them. You can visit six areas inside; the pipes are equipped with escalators and connecting corridors; in the central one there is a high-speed elevator, which is one of the fastest in Europe.

In just twenty seconds, this elevator can take you to a restaurant or observation deck located in a ball that is higher than all the others.

From here you can enjoy a wonderful view of the capital of Belgium, its palaces, cathedrals, straight buildings in a modern architectural style and crooked streets preserved in the historical part of Brussels. Nowadays, few can remember that the construction of the Atomium also had a political background in the confrontation between two systems. However, this does not prevent tourists from enjoying the city landscape from a bird's eye view. From this place you can clearly see the “Europe in Miniature” park, located nearby. This can help save you an extra fifteen euros and avoid the negative impression of some sketchy layouts located there.

In one area, which seems to be made up of cells of different colors, there is a small hotel - here you can spend the night admiring the views of the city at night. This pastime will probably be most interesting for those who come here with children - after all, they are interested in such non-standard things.

There is a small cafe in the Atomium - here tourists have the opportunity to eat, interrupting for a while the inspection of this very large-scale building. In other areas that are accessible to tourists, there are exhibitions.

A walk through the Atomium will not put a big dent in a tourist’s wallet - children under six years of age have free admission, from six to eleven - two euros, from twelve to eighteen - six euros, students and pensioners - six, while the rest will have to pay only nine euros.

The atrium is open to visitors from 10:00 to 18:00, December 24 and 31 from 10:00 to 16:00, December 25 and January 1 from 12:00 to 16:00. The Heizel metro station is located close to this city attraction.

I associated it exclusively with cabbage and peeing children; it did not evoke any other images in my imagination. My idea of ​​the city was somewhat changed by my trip to Brussels. My husband and I were suggested by friends to go to Brussels: after some hesitation, we finally agreed.

What to see in Brussels: galleries and museums

Frankly speaking, Brussels does not evoke wild delight and an irresistible desire in me to return, which I cannot say about our friends. The fact is that they are big fans of art and during our trip they spent hours wandering through countless Brussels galleries. My husband and I were not ready for such feats, so we had to look for places of interest on our own.

• Young Gallery - photo gallery with the works of emerging photographers(this is the only place where our friends’ interests intersected).
• Atomium- a futuristic structure in the form of an iron atom enlarged 165 billion times with an exhibition inside and an observation deck at an altitude of 100 meters. By the way, you can spend the night in the Atomium and look at the night from above.

• Next to a huge atom is a beautiful Mini-Europe park. Of course, it is not an exact copy of all of Europe, but you can find there main attractions of 80 European countries.
• You can go back to childhood Belgian Comic Center. Having grabbed a special card from there, you can go walk around the city looking for walls with graffiti. It turned out that in Brussels there is a favorite comic book character that graffiti artists love to depict on the walls of buildings.

• IN Royal Natural Science Museum you can spend the whole day: and it won’t be enough to look at, touch and try everything.
• No one with a sweet tooth (like me) will miss it cocoa and chocolate museum: it will show you how to prepare mind-blowing Belgian chocolate, give you the opportunity to cook it and, of course, eat it!

What to try in Brussels

About chocolate I already said. The next point is Belgian beer(by the way, this is probably the only reason why my husband agreed to go to).

We decided to start getting acquainted with Belgian beer in Brewers' House- this is a serious establishment headquarters of the Belgian Brewers Association. There in the basement located brewing museum, where they will introduce you to the equipment for brewing beer and invite you to a tasting.

Further acquaintance took place in restaurant "Bekas". Once inside, we found ourselves in Belgium of the 19th century - such an interesting design idea. Very atmospheric place where they serve beer brewed specifically for the restaurant.

Having visited Brussels, I changed my idea of ​​it: now I associate it with chocolate and comics!

Brussels is the capital of Belgium, located on the Senne River. However, architectural landmarks cover the river, as a result of which it ceases to be noticeable to visitors. The city's population exceeds 1.1 million people.

The historical center and heart of the city is the Grand Place, surrounded by delightful buildings. You can start your walk from here, but you shouldn't stop here.

Brussels amazingly combines the desire to preserve historical and cultural heritage with constant development.

The “business card” of Brussels is the sculpture “Manneken Pis”. The composition is a bronze statue-fountain.

The exact time of creation of the sculptural composition is unknown. However, there is information confirming that the statue existed even in the 15th century. To this day, various legends have appeared, the authenticity of which can never be verified. However, the most important thing remains the fact that the sculpture attracts increased attention from tourists from around the world.

Location: Rue de l’Étuve/Stoofstraat and Rue du Chêne/Eikstraat (their intersection).

Mini-Europe Park presents miniature copies of all the famous sights of Europe. In just a few hours, tourists get the opportunity to get an impression of almost all the famous sites in Europe. The number of exhibits reaches about 300, but at the same time they are reduced to 1/25 scale to the original size. This park pleases with its uniqueness.

Location: Bruparck.

Atomium is a unique sculpture symbolizing the scientific and technological process. The landmark was installed in 1958, and this significant event was timed to coincide with the World Exhibition.

Atomium Features:

• The object is an iron crystal lattice magnified 165 billion times.
• The structure has 9 balls, each of which represents an iron atom.
• Long and wide pipes are used as connections, representing unique corridors and escalators.

This performance of the Atomium becomes a worthy embodiment of atomic energy. In this case, 9 atoms turn out to be provinces of Belgium.

If desired, tourists can not only see the Atomium, but also visit the equipped observation deck, which offers a beautiful panorama.

Location: Square de l'Atomium.

The Brussels City Hall, located on the main square of the Grand Place, was built in the 15th century. The builders managed to implement the best principles of Brabant Gothic, thanks to which the architectural execution of the landmark still leaves the best impressions.

At the very top of the Town Hall tower there is a 5-meter statue of the Archangel Michael, who defeats the devil.

In 1998, the Town Hall and the Grand Place were included in the list of UNESCO sites. Today, the building serves as the residence of the mayor, but the city administration is located on Anspache Boulevard. Visitors can visit the building and appreciate the halls decorated with tapestries and gilded mirrors.

Location: Grand Place - 8.

Construction of the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula began in 1226. The first brick was laid by Duke Henry I of Brabant. However, the construction work was completed only during the reign of Charles V. The image of the temple, which has been preserved to this day, is embodied thanks to the project developed by Jean van Ruysbroek.

Features of the cathedral:

• Successful implementation of the principles of Gothic, Romanesque and Renaissance styles;
• Two towers, distinguished by their Gothic style and symmetrical arrangement;
• Large central portal decorated with statues of saints.
• beautiful terrace.
• Forged reliefs decorate the powerful doors, helping to create the austere appearance of the temple.
• The interior decoration surprises with its luxury: stained glass windows, an oak altar with copper figurines.

The amazingly beautiful cathedral was consecrated in honor of St. Michael, recognized as the patron saint of Brussels.

The Royal Palace is the official residence of the Belgian monarch. The attraction is located in the city center, or rather, between Brussels Park and Palace Square. The royal family lived here, but now only audiences and official events are held here to resolve government issues.

The palace and terraces are open to tourists only from late July to early September. It is at this time that you are allowed to independently appreciate the greatness of all the rooms and halls. The Mirror Room, Throne Room, Imperial Room, and Celebration Hall deserve special attention.

Location: Rue Brederode - 16.

The Palais de Justice in Brussels is the main judicial chamber in Belgium. The attraction dates back to the 19th century. Currently the complex includes:

• 8 courtyards.
• 27 large halls.
• 245 small halls.

For many tourists, the Palais de Justice proves to be a worthy landmark in Brussels.

Location: Place Poelaert - 1.

The Sacré-Coeur Basilica is considered one of the most important architectural landmarks in Belgium. It is important to note that the name is translated from French as “Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”.

It took more than 60 years to build. The final finishing work was completed only in 1969.

Nowadays, the basilica, made in the Art Deco style, surprises with its fancy outer walls, original bell towers and domes. More than 2 thousand people can be in the church at the same time.

The Sacré-Coeur Basilica is not only a cathedral, but also a museum center, exhibition area, lecture hall and even a concert venue thanks to its decent acoustics.

Location: Parvis de la Basilique - 1.

The House of the Dukes of Brabant is a building designed in a classical style, taking into account Flemish traditions. Despite the name of the attraction, dukes never lived here. It is interesting that hidden behind the rich façade are several houses that belonged to different guilds and were even famous under different names.

Location: Grand-Place - 15.

The exhibition for the military history museum began to be created back in 1830. These days there are over 2000 valuable items. At the same time, the exhibition includes ancient weapons, interesting items of military equipment, and protective equipment. As a result, the Royal Museum of Military History is considered one of the most interesting not only in Belgium, but throughout the world.

Location: Parc du Cinquantenaire - 3.

The Mount des Arts is an important historical site in central Brussels. The complex consists of the Royal Library of Belgium, the State Archives and a landscaped garden, recognized as a worthy observation deck.

The history of this unique place began to develop at the end of the 19th century, when it was decided that the densely populated area of ​​Brussels should be turned into the Mount of Arts. To do this, it was necessary to buy out the entire district and demolish all the buildings. However, there were not enough funds to implement the large-scale project, as a result of which the territory turned into a banal void. To improve the situation, a green garden was created, which has been preserved to this day. Only later did important sights appear.

The Royal Museum of Fine Arts is an opportunity to see amazing works of painting and truly amazing sculpture.

The museum center is dedicated to old and modern art, works of painters and sculptors from Belgium. At the same time, the exhibits reveal the peculiarities of the development of creativity from the 15th century to the present day. Currently, the exhibition includes more than 20 thousand paintings.

Location: Rue de la Régence - 3.

The Black Tower is a remaining fragment of the old city wall in Brussels. The last city wall was built in the 12th century, and it was destroyed by bombing in 1695. The black tower is surrounded by a built building that perfectly complements the architectural appearance.

The Black Tower is distinguished by the following features of its execution:

• The main materials are cut stone and sandstone.
• The lower part is partially covered with ivy.
• There are narrow and high openings on the ground floor.
• On the second floor there are loophole windows with protruding cornices;
• The building is decorated with a 2-slope roof.
• The shape of the tower is semicircular.

The Autoworld Museum is dedicated to vintage cars. The current exhibition includes hundreds of rare cars and motorcycles.

The entire museum exhibition is divided into the following thematic areas:

• Sports cars.
• Microcars.
• Ecological machines.
• Public transport.
• Cars of famous people.
• Motorcycles.

Anyone who is interested in the world of cars and motorcycles will appreciate the museum.

Location: Parc du Cinquantenaire - 11.

50th Anniversary Park was founded in 1880. On the territory of the park complex there are architectural and cultural values ​​that give a special flavor to the area. The entrance is made in the form of a Triumphal Arch, which is distinguished by the presence of various sculptures and a quadriga.

On the territory of the park complex there are various museums, the Great Mosque of Brussels and the Temple of the Human Passion. In fact, even well-maintained alleys and beautiful flower beds leave the best impression.

The Museum of Musical Instruments has existed since 1876. The number of exhibits is constantly increasing, and today their number is approaching 7 thousand. It is interesting to note that musical instruments from different parts of the world are represented here. Visitors can see not only original instruments, but also primitive rattles. If you wish, you can hear the sounds of different exhibits live.

During the war periods that occurred in the 20th century, the museum temporarily lost popularity. However, active work was resumed in the 1960s, and today musical evenings are periodically held here.

Location: Rue Montagne de la Cour - 2.

The Stoclet Palace was built at the beginning of the 20th century by order of the banker Adolphe Stoclet.

Features of the palace:

• Multi-level building.
• The presence of a rectangular tower.
• The presence of a brick dome, made in the form of a hemisphere and characterized by strict geometric shapes.

The interior and exterior decoration of the palace and the garden are created in the same style. The Stoclet Palace, along with its garden, was officially included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2009. The palace can only be viewed from the street, as it still belongs to the Stoclet family.

Location: Avenue de Tervuren, Stoclet Palace, 279-281.

Belgium is famous for its beer. It is not surprising that the brewing museum reveals the peculiarities of the Belgian folk craft and is dedicated to the Guez variety, which appeared thanks to the local company Cantillon brewery. The museum was founded with the goal of consumer awareness and the preservation of traditions.

Museum visitors can see the tools and objects that are used to make beer. Excursions and tastings are regularly held here. In addition, tourists can purchase the beer they like. Such museum activities play an important gastronomic and cultural role.

Location: Grand-Place - 10.

Gaasbeek Castle is located in the commune of Lennik near Brussels. The castle complex is adjacent to ponds, natural and parterre parks. The general public is allowed to closely examine the attraction.

The history of Gaasbeek began in the 13th century. The castle was built for defense purposes and belonged to the Counts of Gaasbeck until the French Revolution. In 1388, the castle was destroyed by local residents in order to take revenge on the owner, who had somehow offended the people.

In 1889, the castle was restored in its modern form. At the beginning of the 20th century, the object became state property, after which it began to serve as a museum.

Location: Kasteelstraat - 40.

The Palais des Nations belongs to the Belgian Federal Parliament. The palace is located next to Parc Royale. Construction took place between 1778 and 1783. At the same time, it was possible to implement the best principles of the neoclassical style. Moreover, the Palace of the Nation is located directly opposite the Royal Palace, resulting in an impeccable architectural appearance.

Location: Rue de Louvain - 11.

Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium, but also a truly significant city in all of Europe. Numerous attractions highlight the peculiarity of the local architecture, which delights even experienced tourists.

Chocolate, Manneken Pis, and the European Union are associations strongly associated with Brussels. The capital of Belgium does not often welcome Russian tourists. Meanwhile, this city is interesting not only for its sights and museums, but also for the special, international atmosphere that fills it. Several factors contribute to this. Firstly, in Brussels there are two officially equal languages: French and Dutch. On the streets, one immediately notices that all public transport stops and stations are duplicated in two languages. However, most often you can hear French spoken on the streets of the capital. In addition to French and Dutch, German and several dialects are spoken in Belgium. Sometimes such linguistic abundance creates communication difficulties for residents. Therefore, it no longer surprises me when a Belgian talks about “translation difficulties” in his native country, or when I hear stories about Flemings and Walloons communicating with each other in English.
The second factor that brings significant diversity to the appearance of Brussels is ethnic. Arabs and blacks, as in many other European countries, are already a familiar part of city life.
Thirdly, the institutions of the European Union and NATO are located in Brussels, attracting diplomats from all over the world and representatives of all European countries.
Combining all these factors and adding to them numerous tourists, you can imagine the diversity of faces and languages ​​in Brussels.

General information about the country

Belgium is a small country. The country's population is about 11 million people. The country has access to the North Sea and shares borders with the Netherlands, Germany, France and Luxembourg.
The formal head of the country is King Albert II, but real power lies with the government. Or... must belong. The problem is that Belgium is currently breaking all records for the duration of “anarchy”, i.e. All attempts to form a new cabinet since June 2010 have been unsuccessful, and the country is now governed by an interim cabinet. This does not prevent Brussels from remaining the capital of the European Union. By the way, Russians can also visit the European Parliament and listen to the debates if they wish. To do this, you need to speak one of the European languages ​​and register in advance on the official website of the European Parliament.

Visa and currency

The currency in the capital of the European Union is, of course, the euro.
To visit Brussels you need a visa, which can be arranged through a travel agency or on your own. The list of required documents for a visa is as follows (you should check with the embassy for current document requirements):

• a foreign passport valid for at least 3 months after the expiration of the visa and 2 blank sheets on both sides. It is also advisable to bring an old passport with visas (if available);
• documents confirming the purpose of your trip (invitation, hotel reservation);
• 2 photos;
• application form completed in English, French, Dutch or German;
• a certificate from work on company letterhead indicating the position, salary and date of admission to the position. For students: certificate from the educational institution;
• financial guarantees: currency exchange certificate, bank account statement, checks, etc.;
• health insurance with coverage of at least 30 thousand euros;
• documents confirming that you will leave Belgium and the Schengen area upon expiration of the visa: confirmation of the availability of real estate, permanent work, close relatives, financial resources in the country of permanent residence;
• transport tickets.

The consular fee is 35 euros.

How to get there, transport

The flight from Moscow will take 3.5-4 hours and cost approximately 500 euros.
From Brussels National Airport you can get to the center by train, bus or minibus in just 15-20 minutes. Brussels has a metro consisting of three lines. A ticket for one trip will cost 1.7 euros. In addition to the metro, the city has two underground tram lines, buses and regular trams. It is worth noting that the city center is small and the main attractions are within walking distance.

Weather

Thanks to its proximity to the North Sea, Belgium has a temperate maritime climate. In summer it is rarely hot and it often rains. Therefore, it is better to stock up on jackets and umbrellas.

Accommodation and meals

For accommodation you can choose a hotel from 50 euros to several hundred euros per night. If you are traveling in a group of several people, you can rent an apartment with a kitchen and thus save significantly on food. For 3-5 euros you can buy a Turkish kebab or baguette on the city streets. In a Chinese, Thai or modest Belgian restaurant, the price of a main course will cost around 10 euros.

Sights of Brussels

Grand Place is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe and the main attraction of Brussels. It is located in the city center and can be reached from the Bourse or Gare Centrale metro stations. The square is rectangular in shape and is surrounded by medieval narrow houses that once belonged to various trade guilds.

The first thing that attracts attention is the Gothic Brussels City Hall (or Hotel de Ville, as the Belgians call it). It is a cathedral with a high spire, on top of which there is a statue of the Archangel Michael.
Another dominant feature of the square is the so-called “King’s House”. This building was never actually used by the kings, but for some time there were bakers' warehouses here, which is why the building received another name - the "Bread House". Today it houses the City Museum, where, in addition to paintings and tapestries, you can see a collection of several hundred costumes of the famous Manneken Pis.


Pissing sculptures. One of the symbols of Belgium, the Manneken-Pis, can be reached from the square in just a couple of minutes along Rue de l’Etuve. The flow of tourists and signs will help you find the right direction. The figurine of a boy is small, only about 30 cm. It first appeared in the 17th century and since then has more than once become an object of interest from robbers. However, the figure has been restored each time, and if you're lucky, you'll be able to see her dressed up in one of her many outfits.
The local population actively uses the famous Belgian symbol. On every corner in the center they sell things made in the shape of a boy. Or, with its provocative appearance, it attracts the attention of buyers in store windows.

In addition to the boy peeing, on the streets of the city you can find sculptures of a girl peeing and a dog peeing. The figurine of a girl (Jeanneke Pis) was installed in 1987 as a playful pair to a boy and is located on the opposite side of the square at the end of the Impasse de la Fidélité alley.
In 1999, a life-size peeing dog (Zinneke Pis) was added to this pair. The figurine of a mongrel with a raised paw is located at the intersection of Rue des Chartreux and Rue du Vieux-Marché.



Brussels Cathedral, or the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula, stands next to the Gare Centrale metro station. Construction of the cathedral took place from the 11th to the 15th centuries in the Gothic style. Two towers of impressive size rise on the sides. The four doors are decorated with three pointed portals, sculptures of saints and a huge stained glass window above the central entrance. Inside the cathedral you can admire stained glass windows from the 16th to 19th centuries for free.


Atomium– another famous attraction of Brussels. This building is located away from the center, but it’s worth taking the time to get to this symbol of our era, which is causing increasing concern, especially after the Japanese tragedy. An atomium consists of nine atoms that together form an iron molecule. It was designed for the opening of the World Exhibition in 1958 and reaches a height of 102 meters. At the top there is an observation deck and a restaurant. A regular ticket for an adult costs 11 euros, with discounts available for children and students.
Museums. If you're not an art fan, you can check out beer, chocolate, or even comic museums. However, I would recommend readers of MirSovetov not to miss the opportunity to enrich their artistic horizons and visit the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, especially the Museum of Old Art and the René Magritte Museum. The collection of the first museum is based on works by Flemish masters, as well as Dutch, French and Italian paintings. The museum of the surrealist Rene Magritte, the “Belgian Dali,” is located in the adjacent building. The unusual combination of the most ordinary objects in his paintings makes an unforgettable impression.
The museums are located near the Gare Centrale metro station and the city park at Place Royale Koningsplein. The cost of a ticket to the Museum of Old Art is 8 euros, but if you buy a combined ticket for both museums, you will pay only 13 euros. However, you must keep in mind that such a ticket is valid for only one day.

Fast food and beer

It is unlikely that you will be able to pass by stalls with delicious Belgian waffles indifferently, which you can optionally decorate with ice cream, chocolate or whipped cream. Another popular Belgian fast food is French fries. The Belgians believe that it was in their country that this method of preparing potatoes was first used.
While in Belgium, you can’t help but relax with a glass of real Belgian beer. According to various sources, between 400 and 600 types of beer are produced in Belgium! Belgians drink their beer from small glasses, savoring each sip slowly. I liked the cherry Kriek and wheat Hoegaarden, which are served in almost all restaurants and cafes.

Finally, a few more photos of the streets of Brussels.










One last piece of advice: if you find yourself in Brussels, visit other Belgian cities. It will take you less than an hour to get to Antwerp, the largest port city in the world. And just a couple of hours drive from the capital is the beautiful medieval Bruges.

Everyone has heard about the famous “Pissing Boy” fountain, but not everyone knows that the residents of Brussels went further and installed the “Pissing Girl” fountain near the oldest pub Delirium, and a little later “Pissing Dog”. In general, their imagination knows no bounds. What else is interesting to see in Brussels? All the answers are in our guide. Brussels is known to the world for its Gothic-style palaces, perfectly preserved ancient narrow streets, spacious squares, unusual sculptures and monuments. We'll tell you about the most interesting sights of Brussels.

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The Royal Palace, the residence of many ruling families, is located at some elevation above the city, in Brussels Park. Currently used for official ceremonies, it is open to the public every day. The following deserve special attention: the Throne Room, the Mirror Room, the Imperial Room. In each of the listed interior rooms, the visitor will see expensive luxurious decoration, French style and elegant design.

The Bellevue Museum is located in the Royal Palace and houses a collection of artifacts, documents, and antiques dating back to the formation of the Belgian state. Entrance to the Royal Palace is free for everyone, the cost of entry to the museum is: for adults - 5 euros, for pensioners, upon presentation of a pension certificate - 4 euros, students pay 3 euros, children - free.

The Palace of Charles of Lorraine has a tragic history; at the end of the eighteenth century it was barbarically plundered by the invaders, so not many of the halls have been preserved in their original form. When visiting the palace complex, you should pay attention to the staircase in the hall, at the base of which stands a sculpture of Hercules.

It has been preserved since the construction of the structure. The furniture, household items and musical instruments from the 18th century are in good condition. Visiting days: Wednesday and Friday from 13:00 to 17:00. The entrance ticket for an adult is 3 euros, children have free admission.

The Palace of Fine Arts, built at the beginning of the 20th century, is considered the real cultural center of Brussels. When designing the palace, it was decided to mix the styles of neoclassicism and modernism; later this style began to be called art deco. Henry Le Bouf is a hall in the Palace of Fine Arts with good acoustics. Performances by world-class opera stars and symphony and philharmonic concerts are often organized here. In addition, the palace became a venue for performances by dance groups and theater troupes.

To get to the palace, use the first metro line, stop "Gare Centrale& Parc" or the bus that runs through the central area of ​​the city, stop "Central Railway Station".

The diverse face of Brussels can be studied for a long time, but a better idea of ​​it can only be formed when a person gets acquainted with the main religious buildings of the city.

The main church symbol of Brussels is the Cathedral of St. Michael and Gudula, which is located on a certain hill, between the old and new districts of Brussels. The style of execution is mixed - there are elements of Gothic and Romanticism, which attracts the tourist’s eye. Construction time: 11th century. The facade of the building was recently restored, but the interior decoration has been preserved almost unchanged.

The internal dimensions of the rooms amaze the human imagination - tens of meters separate the floor from the vaulted ceilings, and large-scale columns and life-size sculptures complement the range. The cathedral is decorated with stained glass paintings depicting fragments of the lives of monks and great saints. In addition to visiting the cathedral, everyone can listen to an organ music concert, which is organized for parishioners on Sundays.

The cathedral's opening hours for visitors: weekdays - from 7 am to 6 pm, weekends - from 8 am to 6 pm.

Basilica of Sacre Coeur

The Sacré-Coeur Basilica is the main symbol of Belgian independence, and was built in honor of the 75th anniversary of the declaration of independence of the state. Considered a must-visit place. Location: Elizabeth Park. The building reaches a height of ninety meters, making it considered the largest building in the world, made in the art deco style. Two thousand people can fit inside the basilica at a time. Today, the premises of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica are used not only as a place for religious services, but for holding concerts and exhibitions. Part of the basilica is reserved for a museum and lecture hall.

Church of Notre-Dame de Laeken

History buffs should visit the Notre-Dame de Laeken church, which is located in the suburbs of Brussels. The period of construction of the religious building is the second half of the nineteenth century. The church houses a crypt - the burial place of five rulers of the Belgian state - Leopold the first, second and third, Albert the first and Boudewijn. The opening of the crypt, according to tradition, is carried out on the days of great church holidays.

You can get acquainted with painting and sculpture from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries in the Catholic Church of Notre-Dame du Finistère, which is geographically located in the central part of Brussels. Part of the church is made in the classical style, the other in the Baroque style.

Beer Museum

Belgium is known throughout the world for its breweries, so it is not surprising that a beer museum was opened here. Location – Grand Palace, 10. Main exhibits: ancient containers for storing beer and for its production. Tourists will be interested in learning about the brewing process, as well as tasting a delicious freshly brewed drink. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, the entrance fee is 5 euros.

Perhaps the main monument of Brussels, known far beyond its borders, is the “Manneken Pis”. The famous sculpture was born thanks to Jerome Duquesnoy and began to decorate the city of Brussels since 1619. Tourists can find the city's landmark near the Prince's Palace. An interesting thing is the peculiar performance associated with the sculpture - dressing up a boy in costumes, of which there are already more than a hundred. The process of changing outfits has become a favorite tradition of residents and guests of the city.

Few people know about another interesting monument in Brussels - the “Pissing Girl”. The sculpture appeared in the city in 1987. The monument is the idea of ​​Denis-Adrien Debouvry, a famous sculptor. Finding the monument is not as easy as its famous brother; it is located at the dead end of the Alley of Fidelity; you can use Rue des Bouchers as a landmark.

Monument to Don Quixote and Sancho Panza

In Brussels they paid tribute to the great Spanish writer and erected a monument to “Don Quixote and Sancho Panza”. Location: Spanish Square. The monument is installed on a high pedestal, so the architects protected it from possible acts of vandalism.

The real symbol of the Belgian capital has become the Atomium monument, which is an enlarged copy of an iron molecule. The monument symbolizes the limitless possibilities of man and speaks of the need to use atomic energy for peaceful purposes. The author of the project is Andre Waterkein. The monument consists of nine huge spheres - iron atoms, the diameter of which is eighteen meters.

The spheres are connected to each other using pipes. Each of the spheres performs a specific function - the one located at the top point is an observation deck of the city, the multi-colored sphere is a small cozy hotel, the central sphere is given over to a cafe. Separate areas are exhibition halls and galleries.

The Atomium monument is one of the symbols of Brussels; it can be seen from many points in the city. You can get to the monument by metro, Heizel station. Opening hours: from 10 am to 6 pm daily. Cost of visiting: adult ticket - 11 euros, ticket for children from 12 to 18 years old - 8 euros, ticket for children aged 6 to 11 years - 6 euros. Children under 6 years old have free entry.

The initial appearance of Brussels was formed thanks to artisans and merchants; the active phase of development began only in the middle of the last century, when Brussels became a gathering place for the world's leading politicians. Today Brussels is a modern European city, where everyone can enjoy ancient majestic buildings, an excellent level of service, and unusual architectural monuments. Brussels has many attractions that will take at least a week to explore. An incredible number of vivid memories await the tourist; the capital of Belgium knows how to surprise and amaze!