Up Front Brussels - Out and about

City Sights Not To Be Missed

THE GRAND 'PLACE (Grote Markt)

Let's go straight to the top for some opinons. Archduchess Isabella, daughter of Filip II of Spain, visiting the square in 1599, wrote: "Never have I seen something so beautiful and exquisite as the town square of the city where the town hall rises up into the sky. The decoration of the houses is most remarkable."
Isabella had a point. And even writers such as Victor Hugo and Baudelaire were struck by the Guild houses, Town Hall, the King's house and the overall setting of this most noble of market squares.
Having said that, more mundanely, my Dad thought it was over-rated and gaudy...

The Grand Place's origins are somewhat underwhelming. During the early Middle Ages, small wooden houses were scattered around it, until in the 14th century the city's bigwigs started to built stone mansions.
From then, things took off and the market was soon the bustling commercial and administrative centre of the city. Even executions took place there.
But one man definitely did NOT lose his head... Grand Place could well have gone the way of many of Brussels' architectural gems, but one city mayor had the foresight to ensure that the houses had to be preserved as much as possible in their original style.

Nowadays, you can't move for tourists wandering around ooh-ing and aah-ing and filming videos. When they're not doing that, they are sitting on terraces sipping outrageously expensive beer. But it is a Brussels 'must-see', especially during the Christmas period and when the amazing biennial floral carpet is available for viewing.

MANNEKEN-PIS

Paris has the Eiffel Tower, Egypt has the Pyramids, Berlin has the Brandenburg Gate and Brussels has, well, the Manneken-Pis.
Sorry...
The famous portrayal of a totally unself-conscious toddler, with todger in hand while taking a leak, has had people wetting themselves laughing for several centuries.
People are amazed at how small he is - but then he IS only a little boy and it does get cold in Brussels...

Despite there being several theories, some more likely than others, no one really knows the origin of the Manneken-Pis. Realistically, he could be just a decoration on top of an old fresh water fountain, with no other significance at all.

One legend, though, details that the son of a local merchant went missing for a couple of days, much to the dismay of his father. The boy was eventually found on a street corner doing exactly what he does today. Daddy was so grateful that he commissioned the statue. Hmm. Possible...
Another tale tells that he was caught peeing against the door of a local witch. So, naturally, she turned him into a fountain. Well, you would, wouldn't you? Whatever...
What is certain is that, in August 1619, the city of Brussels asked the sculptor Jerome Duquesnoy to make a new bronze statue of the Manneken to replace an old and battered one.

Meanwhile, far from being permanently nude, the little fellow is more often than not dressed. With more than 600 costumes, preserved in the King's House and City Museum at the Grand-Place, the little 'un has a fair-sized wardrobe. He got his first costume in 1698, when the governor of the Austrian Netherlands handed it over.
These days, the Manneken-Pis still receives costumes to celebrate cultural events. On those days, he pees not water but beer. Charming...
Find Brussels' favourite son on the corner of Stoofstraat/Rue de L'Etuve and the Eikstraat/Rue du Chêne, close to the Grand Place. And don't forget your camera.

THE ATOMIUM (by night)

The Atomium by Night - a fine monument to behold

Alright, so Brussels has got the Atomium too...

It was built for the World Trade Fair of 1958 at the Heysel exhibition park and the fair was the first such exhibition to take place following the Second World War. In a newly vibrant Europe, more than 35 million people visited the Expo 58, with 46 countries represented from across the planet.
The Atomium has been dubbed 'the Eiffel Tower of Brussels', although that is stretching it, frankly. As you will be able to tell immediately (in the daylight), the monument represents a giant atom. It symbolises an elementary iron crystal magnified 150 billion times, the intention being to give a European 'thumbs-up' to the emergence of nuclear energy. How times change.

The monument is coated with aluminum, weighs 2,400 tons and is 102 metres tall - its nine spheres each have a diameter of 18 metres.
Should you decide to make the trek out to Heysel, the view over Brussels is spectacular from the metal monster if the weather is half decent. So fingers crossed...
You'll doubtless be pleased to know, meantime, that there's a lift to the top sphere, where you'll also find a restaurant.
The monument has undergone much-needed cleaning and restoration and is now back to its finest splendour. Find it at Eeuwfeestlaan/ Boulevard du Centenaire, 1020 Brussels (Laeken)

OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST

THE PALAIS DE JUSTICE

The gigantic building dominates the area around Place Louise and the Sablon. It is truly gargantuan.
Built between 1860-80 it is said to be the biggest building constructed in the world in that century. Phew.
The towering edifice sits on top of a what was named the "gallows hill" in the Middle Ages, for obvious reasons. Nowadays it is Belgium's supreme court of law. Incidentally, you can also get divorced there.
For dimension buffs, here goes: It is 105 metres high (beating the Atomium by three metres) and covers a total surface area of 24,000 square meters. The beautiful cupola has recently been restored, UP Front is delighted to note.
Just get off the tram or Metro at Place Louise - you can't miss it!

CINQUANTENAIRE PARK

In 1880 Belgium celebrated the 50th anniversary of its independence (it recently celebrated its 175^th).
At that time, the then King Leopold II wanted show the world that the new-ish state of Belgium was prospering. Naturally the Congolese colony in Africa, which Belgium has acquired, offered a bucketful of cash. There soon followed Cinquantenaire Park and its over-the-top, colonial monuments.

The most in-yer-face of these is the triumphal arch. The arch was planned for completion by 1880, but was finally finished in 1905, just in time for Belgium's 75th anniversary.
The halls on either side were built as replacements for the original 1880 structures, and one now houses the Autoworld museum, which in itself is worth an hour or two.

Other Places Not To Be Missed

Maison Cuachie Maison Cauchie

Art Nouveau architect Paul Cauchie, designed and built this house for himself in 1905. He used the facade as a virtual shop window for his sgraffito expertise, covering it with graceful, curving images of women playing lyres. This style was inspired by the Glasgow school of Art Nouveau.

Now renovated, it is a must-see for architectural enthusiasts and art historians. This can be seen in conjuction with Cinquantenaire Park.

Rue des Francs 5
1040 Etterbeek
Tel: 02 673 15 06
First weekend of every month 11am-1pm & 2pm-6pm

Follow the links in our comprehensive list of museums of interest.

If you are downtown, consider getting a Mont des Arts pass, which will give you access to seven museums around the Place Royale / Mont des Arts area for just 11€ for adults - children pay 1/2 price.

Anderlecht Beguine convent : http://www.erasmushouse.museum

Archives and Museum of Flemish Life in Brussels : http://www.amvb.be

Archives and Museum of Literature : http://www.aml.cfwb.be

Autoworld Brussels : http://www.autoworld.be

Belgian Brewers Museum : http://www.beerparadise.be

Belgian Jewish Museum : http://www.mjb-jmb.org

Belgian Museum of Radiology : http://www.radiology-museum.be

Belgian National Botanical Garden : http://www.br.fgov.be

Belgian Strip Cartoon Centre : http://www.cbbd.be

Bellevue Museums - Museum of the Dynasty and King Baudouin Memorial : http://www.musbellevue.be

Brussels Gueuze Museum : http://www.cantillon.be

Brussels Museum of Industry and Labour - The Foundry : http://www.lafonderie.be