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ABOUT BRUSSLES
Often called the political Heart of Europe, Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium and home of Belgium's Royal Family as well as host to NATO headquarters, but also the administrative heart of the European Union.
Founded by Charles the Great's grandson near the river Senne in the 10th century, the city gradually spread across the surrounding hills and nowadays has over one million inhabitants.
 Brussels is an international metropolis - a vivid mix of languages, cultures, and traditions, with a vibrant social scene. Hosting over 80 museums and numerous tourist attractions, it is also famous for its varied architectural styles. Next to Vienna and Barcelona, Brussels is a centre of Art Nouveau style, with architects Victor Horta and Paul Hankar as main representatives.
The starting point for many tours of Brussels is the Grand Place, built as a merchant's market in the 13th century. With its ornate baroque and gothic guild houses, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Manneken Pis, the famous statue of a little boy peeing into a fountain, is another popular tourist attraction. A perfect example of irreverent Belgian humour, it has been amusing visitors on the corner of Rue de L'Etuve (Stoofstraat) and Rue du Chêne (Eikstraat) since 1619.
Another symbol of the city is the Atomium, built for the 1958 World Fair and representing a molecule's nine atoms - magnified 165 billion times. The 9 spheres that make up the 'atom' are linked by escalators and provide a panoramic view of Brussels and its surroundings.
 But no stay in Brussels is complete without getting a good taste of some of the city's delicacies - whether it be fresh waffles, some 'Vlaamse frieten' (French Fries), or tempting sweets from one of the many chocolate shops. In addition, more than 1800 restaurants are waiting to introduce you to the 'art de vivre bruxellois'!
Whether you are window-shopping at the city's many fashion boutiques, lingering over lunch at a bistro, people-watching from a street café, or picking up antiques at the Place du Grand Sablon - Brussels is waiting to be discovered by you.
 Find out more about what Brussels has to offer by visiting the website: www.brusselsinternational.be |
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