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Monuments in Brussels
The two monuments that immediately come to mind when you think about Brussels are Manneken Pis – a fountain with a tiny statue of a boy peeing and Atomium – a model of a molecule big enough to house restaurants, art galleries and much more. Even though Atomium was only meant to be a temporary structure it became a permanent attraction of the city and an internationally recognised symbol of the whole country. When in Brussels, also consider visiting the house of the great scholar Erasmus. The house was turned into a museum and features an impressive collection of paintings. Children will definitely like Mini-Europe – a park featuring scaled down landmarks from major Euopean cities.
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Anglo-Belgian Memorial
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Address: Place Poelaert / Poelaertplein
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The Anglo-Belgian War Memorial commemorates the heroic Belgian people who helped the British prisoners of war during World War I. Designed by the British sculptor Charles Sargeant Jagger (1885 – 1934), the monument was inaugurated in 1923 by the Prince of Wales. The composition in Brainvilliers stone features figures of a British and Belgian soldiers. The sides are covered with reliefs representing scenes of Belgian common folk tending to wounded British soldiers. A plaster cast of the statues of soldiers can be seen at the Army Museum in Brussels, and a plaster cast of the reliefs at the Imperial War Museum in London.
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Atomium
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Phone: +32 2 474 8383
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Website: http://www.atomium.be
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The Atomium, one of the trademark images of the Belgian capital, was erected as a temporary installation for the 1958 World Exhibition. However, the locals became so fond of the unusual creation of the engineer Andre Waterkeyn that it was left for good. The Atomium is a model of a molecule of an iron crystal, magnified 165 billion Times. It features nine massive spheres, symbolising nine Belgia provinces, connected with a network of corridors and an ultra-fast lift. The entire structure of Atomium weighs at least 2,400 tons. At its highest point, it reaches 102 metres. A special exhibition chronicles the construction and the history of this unconventional monument.
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Brussels-Central
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Bruxelles-Central is the Belgian capital’s main railway station. This architectural gem sits exactly halfway between the other two principal train terminals, Bruxelles-Midi and Bruxelles-Nord. Designed by Victor Horta, the interesting building of the main station was completed in 1952. It has since served as a principal element of the North-South Junction, connecting all the major railway tracks in the capital. The underground platforms of Bruxelles-Central stretch along the block between rue de la Putterie, Boulevard de l'Impératrice, and rue de l'Infante Isabelle. The main hall and ticket offices can be accessed through the main entrance on boulevard de l'Impératrice.
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Congreszuil (Colonne du Congrès)
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Address: Congresplein / Place du Congrès
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The Congress Column, rising 75 metres into the Brussels sky, was inaugurated in 1850. The author of the design was Joseph Poelaert, the later acclaimed creator of Palais de Justice. The column commemorates the National Congress which in 1831 created the constitution of Belgium. A 25-metre statue of the country’s first king, Leopold I, is mounted on the column. An eternal flame burns at the foot of the monument, in memory of all the Belgian victims of the two world wars. The column itself holds the grave of an unknown soldier. Every year, on Remembrance Day (November 11), an official ceremony is held at the site.
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Contretype
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Address: Verbindingslaan / Avenue de la Jonction 1
Phone: +32 2 538 4220
e-mail: contretype@hebel.net
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First-time visitors are bound to consider Hôtel Hannon a true gem primarily due to its sheer architectonic beauty. However, those privy to the secrets of the Belgian capital will know that this magnificent mansion from 1903 is much more than just an outstanding example of the Art Nouveau style. It’s home to Contretype, a renowned photograph gallery. The original owner of the residence was Edward Hannon (1853-1931), a reputed engineer and master photographer. Today, the building serves as a major centre for contemporary visual arts, organising fascinating exhibitions, conferences, and seminars.
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Erasmus House
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Address: Kapittelstraat / Rue du Chapitre, 31
Phone: +32 2 521 1383
e-mail: erasmushuis.maisonerasme@skynet.be
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The influential Dutch scholar and humanist, Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus, resided in the Belgian capital for nearly half a year in 1521. His residence, although nearly destroyed a number of times, survives to this day. Born in Rotterdam in 1469, Erasmus became a prominent classical scholar, enjoying the nickname of the Prince of the Humanists. He went down in history as the author of new Latin and Greek editions of the New Testament, which contributed to the raising of questions which would be later crucial during the Reformation. Erasmus also wrote the famous ‘The Praise of Folly’ and ‘Handbook of a Christian Knight'. His townhouse in Brussels now holds a museum to the great thinker and an impressive collection of paintings by such artists as Quinten Matsys and Hieronymus Bosch.
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Evrard 't Serclaes
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Address: Grote Markt / Grand Place, 8
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The small arcade at Grand Place 8, also known as the Star, holds a glistening golden monument to Evrard 't Serclaes. The legendary hero was the leader of a successful civic rebellion against the troops of Lodewijk van Male, the Count of Flanders, who captured Brussels in 1355. A monument to 't Serclaes was crafted in the 19th Century by Julien Dillens. A legend has it that rubbing the wrist of the figure brings good luck and grant the fulfilment of wishes. The location of the monument is more than appropriate; the Star was once home to a pub that saw a number of important events in the history of Belgian politics.
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Japanese Tower and Chinese Pavilion
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Address: Avenue Van Praet, 44
Phone: +32 2 268 1608
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King Leopold II, a creative lover of arts and architecture from all around the world, came up with a project of constructing copies of his favourite landmarks on the premises of his residence. The architect Alexandre Marcel was contracted to supervise the construction of a set of two towers, following a typical Japanese and Chinese standards of design. The structures were completed in 1904. Connected by a tunnel, they are made of wood, using many elements crafted in Shanghai. The interior of the towers holds a collection of 19th Century Chinese furniture and porcelain, as well as European painting from the 17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries.
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