Belgium is one of those countries where natural beauty, old buildings, modern outlets and objects of historical heritage are harmoniously combined. Every tourist who comes here knows that in Belgium you can not only see local sights, but also get acquainted with the interesting traditions of the inhabitants. Most of the iconic places are located in Brussels and its environs.
Holiday season in Belgium
Throughout the year, cloudy weather prevails on the territory of the country, which is replaced by periodic sunny days. The main stream of those wishing to visit Belgium begins to arrive in mid-spring, when the air temperature is set at around +26 degrees. It is in the spring and summer that excursion tourism flourishes, and many companies offer a variety of program options.
As for the autumn period, at this time, tourist activity decreases. From October to November, it rains in Belgium and a cool breeze blows. In December and January there are a series of national holidays, accompanied by festivities and mass events.
TOP 15 interesting places in Belgium
Monument to the pissing boy
A very unusual and funny attraction in Belgium is a miniature statue, the prototype of which is a small child. The first mention of the monument dates back to the XIV century. Around the monument, you can see a small fountain that functions at any time of the year.
It is worth noting that the statue is included in the list of the smallest architectural objects in the world, as evidenced by its height of 61 centimeters. Manneken Pis is a kind of symbol of Belgium, shrouded in legends and beliefs. One of the unusual traditions of the Belgians is the desire to come up with original clothes for the boy and dress him up.
Atomium
This monumental structure was erected back in 1958 and today it is an important part of the architectural appearance of Brussels. Outwardly, the Atomium looks like a structure in the form of greatly enlarged iron atoms. In total, there are nine round spheres in the structure of the monument, connected by metal pipes.
Inside the Atomium, there are restaurants and a museum that tourists love to visit. If you take the elevator to the upper floor, you can get to the observation deck. From here you can enjoy beautiful views of the Belgian capital.
Church of Our Lady
Quite a lot of Belgium's attractions are located in Bruges. Among them, the Church of Our Lady or Notre Dame stands out. For more than seven centuries, the temple has been an example of classical Gothic art and amazes visitors with its splendor.
The walls of the cathedral keep in themselves the memory of such events as the gathering of the knights of the Order of the Golden Fleece and the funeral ceremony of representatives of the dynasty of the Dukes of Burgundy. In the spacious halls of the church, there is a sculpture made by the great master Michelangelo, depicting a baby in the arms of the Virgin Mary.
Cathedral of Christ the Savior
The construction of the cathedral dates back to the 12th century, but the modern appearance of the building was reconstructed in the 19th century and has survived to this day. The temple is famous among tourists for its luxurious decoration and a unique collection of paintings by masters of the past. Choirs made in woodcarving technique, tapestries, organ, stained-glass windows of their multi-colored glass, tall columns - all this complements the rich interior of the shrine.
Inside the cathedral is the official residence of the bishop, and next to it there is a museum, which displays an exhibition of paintings in the Flemish style.
European Parliament
The building belongs to the most significant architectural objects of the members of the European Parliament, since the main part of the meetings takes place here. The structure is built in such a way that the combination of glass facades and mirrored surfaces reflects the surrounding landscapes in different ways, creating an unusual illusionary effect.
The parliament building houses an information center, gift shops, food-core areas and spacious meeting rooms. Anyone can visit this place absolutely free of charge, by presenting an identification card in advance.
Park "Mini-Europe"
In 1989, the government of Brussels decided to create a park, where copies of the main attractions of the world, reduced several times, will be collected. A lot of money was spent on the project, which made it possible to bring this original idea to life.
On an area of almost 2,500 square meters, the Grand Place, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Big Ben, Vesuvius and other memorable places have been reproduced with amazing accuracy. The area around each copy is decorated with fresh flowers and dwarf trees, forming a natural landscape.
An-sur-Lesse caves
Despite the significant number of architectural objects, Belgium also boasts picturesque places. Those who prefer a relaxing outdoor recreation should go on an excursion, which consists of:
- Travel by tourist tram to the caves;
- Inspection of caves with stalactites;
- Boat trips on underground lakes;
- Light show.
After the tour, you can walk around the village, buy souvenirs and take part in master classes on the preparation of national Belgian dishes.
Church of St. Bartholomew
Once in Belgium, be sure to go to the town of Liege, where one of the most important temples in the country is located. In terms of architecture, the church is strikingly different from traditional Belgian architecture. The decoration of the facades in red and white colors made this building recognizable among other cathedrals.
The church was founded in the first half of the 11th, after which the building was reconstructed several times, preserving the original German-Romanesque style. The last metamorphoses took place between 2000 and 2006, and since then, many works of art have been placed inside the temple.
Petit Sablon Garden
Another iconic city landmark in Brussels, which is spread over a vast area. In the XII century, impressive sums were spent on the construction of the garden, so this natural zone plays an important role in the life of the Belgians. All buildings, fountains, decorative elements and fences are made in such a way that it is convenient for vacationers to stroll through the park and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
The garden is divided into several symmetrical sectors, each of which constitutes a single whole with its own microclimate.
Triumphal Arch
This structure demonstrates a close connection with the history of Belgium. The fact is that the construction of the arch was planned for 1880 and was timed to coincide with the opening of the World Exhibition. However, the last construction work was completed only by 1905, when the grand opening took place.
The upper part of the arch is decorated with a quadriga, which has become the symbol of the province of Brabant. Statues of various shapes are installed at the foot of the monument. The total height of the arch is about 50 meters. Today, not far from the arch, there are pavilions serving for exhibitions.
Brussels Town Hall
This structure can be seen on Belgian postcards, magnets, stamps and paintings. The town hall, built in accordance with the best traditions of the Brabant Gothic, quickly became a symbol of Brussels and won the love of its inhabitants.
The building consists of two towers, the second of which was erected in 1455. The roof of the town hall is decorated with a statue of the Archangel Michael, who slays the devil. Inside, the building is decorated with gilded mirrors, portraits of dukes and carpets woven by the best Belgian craftsmen. You can visit the attraction at any time.
Royal Palace
The former residence of the Belgian monarchs is the pride of Brussels. The building was built in the center of Brussels Park and is still used for official royal receptions and important state events. For several years, the external facade has been modified and today is made in the style of classicism. Until 1740, the place of the palace was occupied by the Cowdenberg Castle, which was destroyed in a fire.
The halls of the palace are available for inspection, however, at certain times and days. Therefore, it is worth knowing about the visiting mode of the attraction in advance.
Comic Museum
Belgium was chosen as the place for the creation of such an unusual museum for a reason. This fact is explained by the fact that the origin of the art of comics took place in this country. On the basis of a public organization, an association was formed in 1984, which included famous animators from all over Europe. Their goal was to recognize comics as an art form.
Within the walls of the museum there are about 5,000 exhibits. Museum visitors are offered entertaining excursions, during which experienced employees talk about the types of comics, their characters and other nuances.
Diamond Museum
Gem connoisseurs are advised to travel to Bruges, famous for its diamond museum. The collection of the museum consists of luxurious jewelry made especially for the Belgian royal dynasties in different centuries. The exposition is built according to the historical principle and tells visitors about all stages of diamond and polished diamond processing.
If you wish, you can see a master class on polishing stones and bringing them to perfect condition. Within the walls of the museum, exhibitions are regularly held where diamond jewelry is sold.
Museum of Ancient Art
Another noteworthy museum has the widest collection of Flemish paintings, which Napoleon Bonaparte himself began to collect. Each of the paintings is a great work of art, painted by artists such as Rubens, Memling, Bosch, Simon Vouet, etc.
The main exposition of the museum has remained unchanged for many years, only occasionally replenishing with new masterpieces. The museum's collection reserves are so large that at the moment they constitute a significant part of the cultural heritage of Belgium.
