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    Tourist Attractions in Belgium

    The most interesting tourist attractions places in Belgium. Photos and a brief description.

    About Belgium

    Belgium is a country where history is intertwined with modernity. Architectural monuments, ancient buildings, castles and cathedrals – traveling around Belgium can give the impression of moving back in time several centuries ago. The cultural heritage of the country was also appreciated by the UNESCO World Organization. Many tourist sites are included in the World Heritage List and are under special protection.

    Cities in Belgium are small, if desired, you can get around them in a day. Of course, most travelers recommend starting from Brussels. The famous Pissing Boy is located here, the Royal Museum and Royal Galleries are located here. Bruges and Antwerp are considered authentic and cozy cities. The small towns of Ghent and Leuven can boast of medieval attractions and interesting architecture.

    Top Cities to Visit in Belgium

    Top Tourist Attractions in Belgium

    Grand Place (Brussels)

    The historic square of Brussels. Its architectural ensemble is included in the UNESCO heritage. The main architectural objects are the Town Hall and the Bread House (the King's House). The square itself was founded in the XII century. A century later, a Bread house was erected. And in the XV century, the town hall was built in the Gothic style. Thousands of tourists come here on August 15. It is on this day that the square is covered with a carpet of millions of bright blooming begonias.

    Grand Place (Brussels)
    Pissing Boy (Brussels)

    Pissing Boy (Brussels)

    The famous fountain is a statue depicting a naked boy pissing in a pool. Located near the Grand Place. Local historians disagree on when this monument was erected. According to various sources, this happened in the XIV or XV century. The modern look was given to it by Jerome Duquenoy in 1619. On holidays, the water jet is replaced with beer or wine. The boy's wardrobe is changed by the honorary guests of the city to the music of the orchestra.

    Atomium (Brussels)

    The construction is a symbol of Brussels and a symbol of scientific and technological progress, allowing for the peaceful use of atomic energy. It is made in the form of an iron crystal lattice enlarged by 165 billion times. Part of the 18-meter spheres are available for inspection by visitors. Between them, you can move along connecting pipes in which escalators are installed. A high-speed elevator takes you to the observation deck in the upper ball. Near the Atomium there is a miniature park "Mini-Europe".

    Atomium (Brussels)
    Fiftieth Anniversary Park (Brussels)

    Fiftieth Anniversary Park (Brussels)

    A popular holiday destination for locals and visitors of the city. It occupies an area of 37 hectares . There are many tall trees in the park, pedestrian paths are laid, there is a small fountain. The main structure is the Triumphal Arch. It was built in 1905, the height is 50 meters. There are three museums in the exhibition halls near it. An unusual architectural monument is the "Temple of Human Passions", an ancient pavilion in the form of a Greek temple.

    Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert (Brussels)

    The first indoor shopping galleries in Europe. Opened in 1847. The glazed passage of the galleries is 212 meters long. There are shops, art salons, restaurants in it. There is a cinema, a theater stage, a museum of manuscripts and letters. All three galleries of the complex are incredibly luxurious. Various categories of goods are presented – ethnic, antique, branded, as well as famous Belgian sweets.

    Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert (Brussels)
    Canals of Bruges

    Canals of Bruges

    A unique water network of canals permeating the city center. It looks like the famous canals of Amsterdam. For the atmosphere of tranquility and silence, tourists go on a boat trip. Excursions take place on open pleasure boats. This allows you to fully appreciate the beautiful ancient architecture of the city. Boats sail under stone bridges, past merchant mansions, unusual buildings and lime alleys.

    Belfort and the Market Square (Bruges)

    One of the most popular places in Bruges is the Market Square. This is a historical place of the city, now completely pedestrian. The center of the market square is the Belfort Tower, which is a UNESCO Heritage site. The bell tower began to be built in 1240, and was finished in the XV century. The 83-meter-high tower was built in the Gothic style. 47 bells are placed on the upper tier. Previously, the structure performed a sentinel function, a treasury was placed here and archives were stored. You can climb up the narrow spiral staircase.

    Belfort and the Market Square (Bruges)
    Burg Square (Bruges)

    Burg Square (Bruges)

    The square is surrounded by ancient architectural buildings. It attracts many tourists, it is the historical center of the city. The decoration of the Burg Square is the town hall, built in the XIV-XV centuries. Three tall towers and gilded sculptures on the facade make it incredibly beautiful. Other interesting buildings are the Governor's residence, the premises of the Judicial Chamber and the Old Civil Registry.

    Basilica of the Holy Blood (Bruges)

    It is located on the Burg Square. It was built in the XII century. For Christians, the basilica is important. A valuable religious relic is kept here – a fragment of cloth soaked in Christ's blood. The church consists of two parts. The lower one is made in Romanesque style and consists of two chapels. The altar of one of them is made of black marble. The upper part of the basilica is made in the Gothic style.

    Basilica of the Holy Blood (Bruges)
    Grass Street and Grain Street (Ghent)

    Grass Street and Grain Street (Ghent)

    The embankments of Ghent, located on the opposite banks of the Lys River. They make up a harmonious architectural complex, in the Middle Ages these streets were the center of trade. There are preserved historical buildings of the XVII-XIX centuries – houses of trade guilds, built in the style of the Flemish Renaissance, Brabant Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical. Grass Street and Grain Street are popular places for tourists to walk. Many houses have restaurants with summer terraces, and after a hearty dinner you can take a boat ride.

    Grote Markt (Antwerp)

    The main square of Antwerp is often called the pearl of architecture. The square was founded in the XVI century and since then many buildings with interesting architecture have appeared on it. For example, the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary consists of seven nave in the Gothic style, which was built for almost 200 years. Gothic and Renaissance are combined in the town hall building. Guild houses are distinguished by an interesting decor. In the middle of the square there is a fountain with a statue of a warrior.

    Grote Markt (Antwerp)
    Antwerp-Central

    Antwerp-Central

    The railway station, which is recognized as one of the most important attractions of Antwerp. It has repeatedly occupied places in the top ten of the most beautiful railway stations in the world. The building was erected at the beginning of the XX century by the architect L. Delasenzeri. The appearance of the station resembles a palace and a cathedral at the same time due to the solemn architecture and the richness of the facade decoration. More than 20 types of marble were used to decorate the interiors.

    Royal Palace (Brussels)

    The residence of the monarch of Belgium, where official events are held. The palace was built at the end of the XVIII century. In 1904 he received a new facade in the classical style. Several rooms of the palace and the terrace are open to visitors from the end of July to the end of September. The Imperial Room contains fresh flowers from all provinces of Belgium. In the Hall of Mirrors, the ceiling is lined with millions of wings of scarab beetles of Thailand.

    Leuven Town Hall

    Leuven Town Hall

    It was built at the end of the XV century in the Gothic style. It is located near the Church of St. Peter. It has survived several restorations after the World Wars. The facade of the town hall is decorated with 236 statues and scenes from the Bible, it has many turrets and small windows. Leuven Town Hall is considered one of the most elegant medieval buildings in the world. The interior is also magnificent. The walls are decorated with paintings by famous artists.

    Parlamentarium (Brussels)

    A visitor center telling about the history of the European Parliament. About what tasks and goals it faces, how its members are going to solve them. There are a lot of interactive schemes, installations and stands in the halls of the center, telling in detail about the work of the European Parliament. The exhibition is open every day, admission is free, there are audio guides in 24 official languages of the European Union.

    Parlamentarium (Brussels)
    Menin Gate (Ypres)

    Menin Gate (Ypres)

    Monument, a tribute to the soldiers who died in the First World War. Visually resemble an arch. In the upper part of the composition you will see a plan of the disposition of the troops of that time in the battle for the city of Ypres. Crowning this architectural monument is the figure of a lion. The names of the dead and missing soldiers and officers are carved on the inner slabs of the arch. Every day, since the opening of the monument, at 20.00 the trumpeter at the gate plays the end signal. The tradition was interrupted only during the occupation of the city during the Second World War.

    Staircase "Mount de Buren" (Liege)

    Built in 1881, the main task is to ensure quick access of soldiers from the garrison located at the top to the city center in the event of an enemy invasion or a popular uprising. The staircase consists of 374 steps. When climbing, you can relax on platforms with benches installed at different heights. From above there is a beautiful view of the city of Liege. In October, the Night Hills Festival takes place here. During it, thousands of candles are placed on the stairs.

    Staircase
    Flemish beguinages

    Flemish beguinages

    Settlements of single women – unmarried or widows, united in communes. In Belgium, beguinages are architectural ensembles that include residential buildings, cells and chapels. The courtyard was planted with flowers or used as a vegetable garden. Beguinages were especially widespread in the XIII century. In total, about 80 such complexes have been preserved in the world, 30 of them are located in Belgium and are included in the UNESCO heritage list.

    Saint-Michel-et-Gudule Cathedral (Brussels)

    An excellent example of Gothic art. The cathedral is a composition with two symmetrical towers 64 meters high. There is a bell in the north tower. The staircase of each tower leads to a picturesque terrace. The interior is dominated by a combination of asceticism and pomposity. Magnificent statues of the apostles adorn the snow-white columns. Organ concerts are often held in the cathedral for everyone.

    Saint-Michel-et-Gudule Cathedral (Brussels)
    Notre Dame (Tour)

    Notre Dame (Tour)

    The cathedral is included in the list of UNESCO protected sites, and has been preserved in good condition to date. The construction of the cathedral began in 1100, finished only in the XIV century. Over the years, the style of construction has changed from Romanesque to Gothic. The cathedral stands out for its towers – the central tower with a pyramidal roof and 4 corner towers, in which the bell towers are located. The height of all towers is approximately 83 meters.

    Cathedral of St. Bavon (Ghent)

    In 942, a wooden church was founded, which was subsequently expanded and rebuilt in the Gothic style. The construction of the cathedral is famous for its Ghent altar. Its height is 3.5 meters and its width is 5 meters. It is considered one of the most important works of art in the world. The images of the altar show scenes from the revelation of John the Theologian. In total, 258 human silhouettes are depicted on the altar panels.

    Cathedral of St. Bavon (Ghent)
    Cathedral of Our Lady of Antwerp

    Cathedral of Our Lady of Antwerp

    This cathedral is one of the largest in the Roman Catholic Church, besides it has great architectural value. The highest tower of the cathedral is 123 meters high. Construction began in 1352, and it has not been completed yet. The style of construction is Gothic. The works of art stored in the cathedral are also of great value. These are the works of artists Martin de Vos, Jacob de Backer and Otto van Veen.

    Plantin—Moretus Museum (Antwerp)

    The history of this museum is closely connected with the history of printing in Europe. One of the first printing houses in Europe was opened in Antwerp in 1555. In 1877, the city authorities opened a museum with exhibits of the printing business of the XVI century and a library in the building of the printing house. It is included in the UNESCO Heritage List. The library's collections number 30,000 copies of historical and valuable books. Among the exhibits of the museum there are printing presses from 1600.

    Plantin—Moretus Museum (Antwerp)

    Royal Museums of Fine Arts (Brussels)

    The museum complex, which includes most of the works of art of Belgium. It was founded in 1801. 1200 objects of European painting of the XIV-XVIII centuries are housed in the Museum of Ancient Art. They are divided into collections – French and Italian, Dutch, Flemish. The Magritte Museum contains about 150 of his works of various periods of creativity. The Museum of Modern Art presents the works of Belgian masters – surrealist artists, impressionists, sculptors. The above museums are located in Brussels. In its suburb, the city of Ixelles, there are two more museums of artists – the Wirtz Museum and the Meunier Museum.

    Museum of Musical Instruments (Brussels)

    One of the largest museums of this kind in the world. It contains more than 8000 instruments of various types – folk, academic and traditional. The museum was founded in 1877 on the basis of the collections of the musicologist Fetis and King Leopold II. Since 2000, it has been housed within the walls of a historic Art Nouveau building. More than 100,000 people visit the museum every year. Periodically, the museum organizes concerts of performers on modern instruments.

    Museum of Musical Instruments (Brussels)
    Museum

    Museum "In the Fields of Flanders" (Ypres)

    It is unique in the atmosphere of the frontline Ypres. The museum exhibits wartime items – weapons, uniforms of soldiers, authentic documents. Modern technologies allow the museum to show the bloody battles of the First World War on a special interactive map. Personal stories, as well as the stories of nurses, priests and soldiers are shown in video kiosks. The name of the museum is taken from a poem by McCray.

    MAS Museum (Antwerp)

    The name of the museum stands for "Museum on the river". It is located near the Scheldt River in a modern red sandstone and glass building. Along its perimeter there is a large spiral staircase leading to the observation deck on the top floor. The museum's funds contain collections of various subjects – archeology, shipping, the history of the region, ethnography and a collection of works of art. The museum's exhibitions attract a large number of visitors.

    MAS Museum (Antwerp)
    Castle of the Counts of Flanders (Ghent)

    Castle of the Counts of Flanders (Ghent)

    The castle was built in 1180. Its defensive system has reached the present time almost in its original form. For many years, the castle has been used as a textile factory, a mint, a place for court sessions and a prison. Now the city authorities have located a museum of justice and weapons in the castle. Most of the exhibits are instruments of torture and a collection of antique weapons.

    Steen Castle (Antwerp)

    The fortress was founded in the XIII century, during the reign of Charles V it was significantly rebuilt. For five centuries, the castle was used as a prison. Part of the fortress was demolished in the XIX century to combat the shallowing of the Scheldt River. Almost one facade remained of the castle. In 1890, the Museum of Archeology was opened in the Castle of Walls, and later – the Museum of Navigation. Near the castle there is a monument to the folklore character Long Wapper.

    Steen Castle (Antwerp)
    Cave En-sur-Les

    Cave En-sur-Les

    You can get to the cave by an excursion tram that runs from the nearby village directly to the caves of the cave. There is high humidity inside, and the temperature is kept at 13 ° C. The main objects of inspection in the cave are stalagmites. One of them with a height of 5 meters is called a Minaret. Its age is estimated at 12,000 years. A light show is held for tourists, and a volley from a cannon will help to evaluate the acoustics of the cave.

    Waterloo

    Museum complex near the city of Waterloo. It is dedicated to the grandiose battle in which Napoleon Bonaparte suffered his last defeat. It consists of a museum, a circular panorama of the battle and an artificial forty-meter hill with a lion statue on top. "Waterloo" should definitely be visited by any tourist who is at least a little interested in history. Its creators were perfectly able to convey the spirit of the Napoleonic era.

    Waterloo
    Lake of Love (Bruges)

    Lake of Love (Bruges)

    Located in Minnwater Park. Snow-white swans swim in the waters of a beautiful lake. They all belong to the city of Bruges, so they have a mark with the letter "B" and the date of birth on their beaks. You can take a boat trip on the lake. This will give you the opportunity to see an old bridge and a gingerbread house on its picturesque shores. There are always a lot of artists with easels and couples in love on the shores of the fabulous lake.

    Paradise

    The park is located 60 km from Brussels. It combines a zoo and a botanical garden. An ancient abbey and ruins of ancient buildings have been preserved in the park. The Botanical Garden, zoo enclosures, terrarium and oceanarium are located among the architectural monuments. There are several themed areas in the park. While walking along it, you can visit the African savannah, tropical forests, a lagoon with a ship and a submarine.

    Paradise
    De Panne Beach

    De Panne Beach

    The resort on the shore of the North Sea was founded in 1831. Currently, the beach with snow-white sand is always crowded. The water in the sea warms up no higher than 20 ° C, but there are no rays of the scorching sun and sweltering heat. Due to the strong wind, De Panne Beach is appreciated by yachting and surfing enthusiasts. On the shore there are sports fields, a golf course, attractions and a go-karting center. Sports festivals and concerts are often held.

    Tomorrowland

    Electronic and Dance Music Festival. It has been held since 2005 and now it is one of the most famous festivals in the world. In 2017, it was visited by 400,000 people from 75 countries, including King Philippe of Belgium and his wife. The festival takes place in the De Or Park. A huge tent camp with the name "City of Dreams" is being built here. The enchanting concert show is complemented by laser light, pyrotechnics and incredible scenery.

    Tomorrowland