Brussels is a fun, eclectic city in the heart of Belgium. (Raimonds Volonts | K - stock.adobe.com)
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Installations in Brussels:
NATO
USAG Benelux – Brussels
Sterrebeek Annex
The city of Brussels is the national capital of Belgium. It was originally a pentagon-shaped walled old city, but nowadays, the borders of the city are an odd, elongated shape on a map. This is because the city, beginning in the 1800s, annexed wealthy suburban neighborhoods in the south and a prosperous industrial zone in the north. Both spaces also brought royal properties into the city limits.
The City of Brussels is contained within the Brussels-Capital Region, which includes 18 other small villages that eventually grew to become a large urban area. Both the city and the region have separate government jurisdictions.
All parts of Brussels have two official languages: French and Flemish (a version of Dutch). Although it is geographically located within Flanders, the northern part of Belgium where Flemish is spoken, and Wallonia, the southern part of Belgium where people speak French, it is considered a unifying capital that straddles both regions.
In the Middle Ages, Brussels grew from being a local County (ruled by a Count) into a large Duchy (ruled by a Duke) active in trade and industry. A visit to the Grand-Place Market Square reveals the opulence that grew from this time with the majestically spired town hall, guild buildings and the ornate Broodhuis, which was originally a covered market.
The Grand-Place Market Square in Brussels, Belgium. (Aliaksandr - stock.adobe.com)
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In the early 1800s, Belgium was absorbed in the United Kingdom of Netherland and Brussels was one of its capital cities. However, a rebellion propelled the formation of The Kingdom of Belgium, with the king and royal family living in Brussels since then. King Philippe and Queen Mathilde live in the Palace of Laeken. It is not open to the public, but you can visit the surrounding vast Parc de Laken which is especially beautiful in spring when magnolia trees and bulbs are blooming. Official state business occurs in the Royal Palace of Brussels, downtown, where you can get tickets to see the ornate interior.
While exploring more of Brussels, be sure to delve into its most famous cuisine: fries, waffles and chocolate. The city is full of amazing Patisserie (pastry shops) and Chocolaterie (chocolate shops), and you will be sure to run into a Friterie (fry shop) where you can taste delicious frites and choose from the many dipping sauces.
When it comes to waffles, Brussels has its own variety that are large, rectangular, with 20-24 holes and topped with dusted sugar.
Traditional Belgian chocolate is sold in chocolate shops all over Brussels. (Jordi de Rueda - stock.adobe.com)
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Walking in the city center, you will notice a plethora of incredible murals depicting comic strip characters. There are over 80 in this city which claims the title “Capital of Comic Strips.” The love for comic art comes from the 1920s when Brussels was the home of artist Hergé who created “Tintin.” There are many shops, cafes and other business dedicated to comic strip art; The Belgian Comic Strip Center is a great first stop.
Brussels is a fun, eclectic and international city full of historic architecture, multicultural communities, amazing food and great green spaces for escape.
Brussels is known as a homeland of the comic strips and is full of murals of comic strip heroes. (josefkubes - stock.adobe.com)
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