hkskyline's 2024 in BRUSSELS

[hkskyline]

My first visit to Brussels was all the way back in 2005 but grey skies dampened my spirits. Grand Place was stunning but I vowed to return to see it under more sunny weather. That promise arrived in November 2024, and it was spectacular. I came back a few times to see it both during the day and at night to soak in the architecture.

This former marsh was drained in the 12th century to become a market and home to the guilds. The Hotel de Ville was built here in the 15th and turned the square into a government centre as well. However, much of the medieval architecture was destroyed by the French bombardment in 1695 and rebuilt in the Baroque style.









La Maison des Ducs de Brabant is a set of 6 guildhouses that look like an Italian palace.













The Hotel de Ville is the town hall, with a 96m spire soaring high above with a statue of St. Michael killing the devil at the top. Dating from the 15th century, the town wanted to build a home fit for its wealth.













There are more beautiful buildings lining the rest of the square.















With only 3 days, I had a little more time to explore the historic centre and do a day trip. There are a number of grand churches here worth going in for a peek.





























This city has a heavy political presence being home to the EU. They have a museum with plenty of technology and interactive displays to showcase its role, relevance, and functions.































More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/brussels.htm

[Cirrus]

Gotta get there someday. Have been through it on a Thalys train, but never gotten off.

[ColDayMan]

Must be nice.

[geomorph]

Originally Posted by hkskyline

I am curious what this exhibit is representing.

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by geomorph

I am curious what this exhibit is representing.

It's the seating plan of the European Parliament for the term to 2029 with the various parties in different sections/colours.

[hkskyline]

The tourist crowds thin out drastically in the streets south of Grand Place pretty quickly. The Quartier Marolles consists of 2 main streets and used to be home to artisans and the working class. As industry closed and moved to the suburbs in the late 19th century, the area became a slum until things started to improve in the late 1980s.















A free elevator just off Rue Haute in a public square takes you up to the Upper Town right in front of the Palais de Justice, where there is a short promenade with nice views.













The huge Palais de Justice stands on former execution grounds in the Middle Ages. Its history goes back to 1860 when there was an international competition for a new courthouse. None of the entries got selected but the city's architect, Joseph Poelaert, was chosen for the project instead. Construction spanned 17 years and the new building opened in 1883. Its huge size with over 250 rooms and a 100m high dome drew plenty of criticism at the time.















More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/brussels.htm

[hkskyline]

The Royal Military Museum's history dates back to the 1910 World Expo, when an officer showcased about 900 objects from the country's military history. The collection was retained and put on display, moving into the north wing of the Jubilee palace in 1923.

The aviation section was established in 1972 and the large hall now has over 100 items from hot air balloons to passenger aircraft.









































More photos on my website : https://globalphotos.org/brussels.htm

[hkskyline]

Continuing on, the museum's website states their World War I gallery is the biggest and most diverse collection in the world with objects from almost all involved countries. Notice the uniforms have turned from bright and colourful to more muted designs as warfare tactics evolved. There were also new innovations to break the trench warfare deadlock, such as gas, bombers, and more.







































More photos on my website : https://globalphotos.org/brussels.htm

[hkskyline]

The upscale Galeries Royales Saint Hubert was actually a regeneration project that started in the 1830s to fix a poor neighbourhood. It was inaugurated with King Leopold I's attendance in 1847, joining other great European capitals who had such shopping arcades.

























More photos on my website : https://globalphotos.org/brussels.htm

[hkskyline]

Fronting the Grand Place, the town council decided to build a town hall that reflects its wealth. Construction began in 1401 and continued throughout the 15th century. The first building was L-shaped and was quickly followed by a second wing. Despite being burned down in 1695, the walls and tower survived.































More photos on my website : https://globalphotos.org/brussels.htm

[hkskyline]

More photos on my website : https://globalphotos.org/brussels.htm

[hkskyline]

Ghent and Bruges are must-visit day trips from either Brussels or Antwerp, easily reachable by train.

Ghent was at the heart of the cloth trade during medieval times. They manufactured luxury cloth from imported English wool and became famous throughout Europe until the 15th century. This brought a lot of wealth and autonomy, but heavy taxes caused resentment and uprisings. Coupled with changing boundaries, Ghent fell into decline.

Ships have docked in the old harbor since the 11 century along the River Lys. On the western bank is Korenlei, home to mostly 18th century merchants' houses. Across on the eastern side is Graslei, which also has beautiful buildings on offer. These were for the guilds that worked the boats, weighed the grain, and built the town. There was also a customs office and grain store.









St. Michielsbrug offers the best view of town. It was built in 1913 for visitors to the Great Exhibition to enjoy these views. Behind it is a Gothic church whose construction started in the mid-15th century.











The former post office has a striking 52m-tall clock tower that has been converted into a shopping centre and small boutique hotel. During the 19th century, there was a movement to restore Ghent's medieval power, and this building was constructed between 1898 and 1909 with designs by Louis Cloquet in Neo-Gothic and Renaissance styles. The post office operated until 2001.





Behind it is the Korenmarkt, a huge publicsquare where grain once traded after being unloaded from the boats at nearby Graslei.









More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/ghent.htm

[ColDayMan]

Nice!

[hkskyline]

Ghent has 3 huge towers in its historic skyline, with the Belfry being the middle one. At the top is a fiery dragon, the town's mascot and symbolic guardian.

The Belfry dates from the 14th century and became the town's main watchtower, standing 91m tall. Civic documents were also stored here in the safe.

I came to climb up to the viewing deck for a different perspective of the historic centre. Head to the adjacent Lakenhalle, which was completed in 1903, to start your visit.







































More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/ghent.htm