Oh, Brussels! This week we reach the Belgian capital.

A wealth of history, wonderful places and art all the

way. The Baroque architecture impressed me so much, you can spend hours on the streets full of charm
and discover an impressive number of statues, parks and churches. The smell of chocolate is everywhere
and that's what makes every walk even more enjoyable!

There are so many things to see in Brussels but fortunately it is very easy to see them step by step. I tried
to put them in random order because they all worth seeing, tried and tasted!

1.Grand Place

It’s the central square of Brussels. Europe’s most beautiful square. Measuring at 68 x 110 meters, it is
declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, and even declared as Europe’s most beautiful square
in 2010. Incredible surrounding architecture. The square it is dominated by the Royal House, the Town
Hall and the medieval guildhalls. The most prominent structure is the towering (315 feet) City Hall built
back in the Middle Ages that somehow looks like a Gothic church. The foundation stone was laid in the
spring of 1402 and was completed in 1450 when a statue of St. Michael defeating a Dragon was put on
the top of the tower. The original statue remained on the top until June 1996 when it was replaced with
a new one.

The legend says that the architect suicides by throwing himself from the building when he found out that
the tower is not right in the middle of the building.

Grand Place is distinguished by its distinctive Flemish architecture. Here you can watch outdoor concerts
and relax on a terrace.

Every two years in August, the square is filled with a huge flower carpet that stays up for a few days. It is
composed of colorful begonias arranged in distinct decorative patterns.

2. St. Michael and St. Gudala's Cathedral. Gothic-style cathedral, 8 centuries old, it is the most important
cult site in Brussels. Here are taking place a lot of important events of the Royal House of Belgium. The
construction of the Cathedral began in the 13th century and was completed in the 17th century. The
interior of the holy place is very impressive. Stained glasses clearly emphasize the late Gothic style
allowing the penetration of the light in abundance and depicts the most prominent Belgian rulers.

3.Notre Dame Du Sablon

This spectacular Gothic cathedral began life in the 14th Century when it was used as a chapel by the
Archer’s Guild. It was extensively expanded in the next century to the popularity and supposed healing
powers of the Madonna statue located within. The statue was allegedly stolen by a husband and wife
team of thieves in a rowing boat. The location of the statue is unknown but the story is commemorated
by a Lifesize model inside the building.

4. Palais Royal
Although the royal family of Belgium now spend their lives at Laeken, the Royal Palace in Brussels
remains as their official residence. The palace is open for tourists in the summer months. It is a stately
building and it worth to be visited.

5.Manneken Pis

This odd statue has risen to fame and is a popular tourist attraction in the city. The name simply
translates to “little man pee” and it has been given this name for obvious reasons.

Everything comes from a historical act. A child saved Brussels from destruction. In the 17th century at
one point the Dutch wanted to fire the Citadel. When they burned the wick a lost little boy who was left
outside the city urinated on the wick and so remained famous. Another legend says that this child gets
lost and when his father, a very rich man, found him he was in that position. He has an impressive
wardrobe of over 750 suits that are kept in the King's house in the Grand Place.

Try to see the girl version, Jeanneke Pis, that is located in Impasse de la Fidélité. It was Erected in 1987.

6.Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert

I fell in love at first sight with the architecture in this shopping arcade, and I especially liked its
beautifully vaulted glass ceilings. Apparently, this is Europe’s first covered shopping gallery since it was
built in 1847 — with this fact, it clearly precedes the other famous 19th-century shopping arcades such
as the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan.

The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is split up into three magnificent halls – the King’s Gallery, the Queen’s
Gallery, and the Prince’s Gallery – and provides a lush setting for a good window shop.

7. Mont des Arts

Translated to “Mountain of Arts,” the hillside close to Brussels Central Station is a prominent Leopold II
legacy. He dreamed of seeing a sophisticated cultural nucleus outside of his Royal Palace ‘s windows, a
wish that has led to a beautiful slope-garden, followed up by a generous smattering of prestigious
museums like Magritte Museum, and cultural temples (Cinematek, Bozar).

8.Magritte Museum

The Magritte Museum on the Mont des Arts boasts essential works such as Empire of Light and
Scheherazade. Just gorgeous! Everyone is free to visit and admire it!

9.Musical Instruments Museum

For the music lovers and not only. The impressive building houses an internationally renowned collection
of 7,000 instruments and has a lovely rooftop patio where you can relax for the rest of the day!

10.Atomium

The sculpture was made in 1958 to welcome a new and atomic age to Belgium and is an accurate
depiction of an iron molecule except that it is about 165 billion times larger! The atom is 102 m tall and
weighs 2400 tons. It was designed by Andre Waterkeyn. The glass roofed elevator takes guests to the top
in a time of only 20 seconds, there they can enjoy a beer and snack before descending.

11.European Parliament

In one of my visits to Brussels I had the opportunity to go to the European Parliament. I was happy to
learn more about its work and how I can actively participate in a better functioning of society.

12. Belgian Beer

The only place I drank beer and liked it. Personally, do not like beer but Belgians have shown that there is
one beer for everyone's taste. Here I started to drink beer because I could choose from more than 800
kinds of assortments. Beer has played a very important role in the history of this city. You find bars on all
streets wherever it deserves to sit for enjoying the scenery and a good beer. On average each inhabitant
drinks 84 L of beer per year. In the country there are 180 breweries from large beer factories such as
Stella Artois to microbes. Paradise of beer!

13. Chocolate!!!

You know you're in Belgium when you smell chocolate at every step. Brussels is full of chocolate stores,
chocolate factories, chocolate all over, you cannot abstain and you don't have to. It is wonderful!
Another delight you have to try next to chocolate are waffles. You have to find a place where they
prepare them fresh and enjoy a warm waffle with chocolate topping. An explosion of sensations for taste
buds!

14. Belgian Fries

For those who do not love chocolate although it is very hard for me to think so we have Belgian fries!
They are delicious and you can choose from a variety of sauces. Enjoy!

Brussels is a great place for a City Break, a place where you enjoy everywhere, a place where you smell
chocolate on the streets, a place where you can fond a chic bar to enjoy a good beer!