Brussels Travel Guide
Beer, waffles and festivals - if this is what you’re looking for
you will find them in abundance when you visit the Belgium’s capital
city (pop: 1 000 000). Brussels is the major gateway for the country: it
is on the main route heading inland from the Channel ports via the Flemish
art towns, and it is also a convenient stopover on the train between France
and the Netherlands.
Brussels took its name from “Broekzele”, or “city of
the marsh”, which developed in the sixth century on the trade route
between Cologne and Brugges / Gent. Under the Habsburgs the town flourished,
eventually becoming capital of the Spanish Netherlands. In the 19th century
it became the capital of the newly-independent Belgium. Although nowadays,
the city is often primarily regarded as a destination for businesspeople
or diplomats — it is the headquarters for the European Union (EU)
and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) — there is plenty
to see and do for other travelers. ‘Manneken Pis’, plenty of
impressive museums, delicious chocolate and a city centre divided into
the upper and the lower town with a beautiful cathedral and the Grote Markt
where you can enjoy your Belgian beers. Brussels requires a minimum of
two nights to get a feeling for the city but an even longer stay should
be planned if there is a festival in town.
While Brussels is a safe city, some areas are prone to crime, especially at night. Be careful when walking near the westward arc between North and Midi railway stations and Rogier and De Brouckere Metro stations.
Note: Brussels is an international city, and there is a parity between the French and Flemish-speaking Belgians. As a result, every instance of the written word, from road signs to the yellow pages, appears in both languages.
The City
Legend has it that Brussels grew from of a
small chapel built by the preacher Saint
Gorik in the 6th century. Yet 979, the year
its first fortress was built, is considered the
city’s official birth year. It was later
expanded and became a walled centre of
trade.
Towards the end of the 12th century the population reached 30,000, and the city become famous for its exclusive handicrafts. The surrounding marshes were drained, and the 17.5 mile Willebroek Canal was built. Many foreign rulers have laid claim to the city, including the house of Habsburg and the Spanish. The French king Louis XIV destroyed large parts of the city during an attack in 1695. After the Napoleonic wars the demand for independence rose up throughout Belgium. In 1831 Leopold I was crowned king, and Brussels named the country’s capital. The city is officially French- Dutch bilingual, embracing both the Flemish and Walloon history of the city, and is apparent in the bilingual street signs. After World War II Brussels entered the world stage as the host nation for both the European Union and NATO’s head quarters. The city is a fascinating mix of history on one hand, with its narrow streets and smoky cafés; and on the other, the modern EU offices along with the EU’s tens of thousands of employees.