Brussels is a city where the grandeur of the medieval Grand-Place coexists with the futuristic spheres of the Atomium, where Victor Horta`s Art Nouveau intertwines with the austere facades of European Union institutions, and the mischievous "Manneken Pis" has become a symbol of the spirit of freedom. Brussels is the "heart of Europe." Behind the official facade of international bureaucracy hides a bohemian, creative, and incredibly gastronomic soul.
History of Brussels
From a fortress on the Senne River to the capital of a united Europe. The history of Brussels began around the 10th century with a fortress on an island in the middle of the Senne. The first written mention of Bruocsella ("settlement in the swamp") dates back to 996. By the 12th century, the city had become a thriving trading center due to its convenient location on the route from Bruges to Cologne.
In the 13th and 14th centuries, Brussels experienced a flourishing period: fortress walls were erected, and the town hall and guild houses were built on the Grand-Place. In 1430, the city became the capital of the Duchy of Burgundy and experienced a golden age.
In 1695, the troops of Louis XIV subjected Brussels to a brutal bombardment, destroying more than 4,000 buildings, including almost all the houses on the Grand-Place. However, the residents rebuilt the square in just four years, in an even more opulent style.
The famous legend of Manneken Pis also dates back to this time: according to one tradition, the two-year-old son of Duke Godfrey III was hung in a basket on a tree in front of the troops and urinated on the enemy, rallying the soldiers. According to another version, an unknown boy extinguished with his urine the fuse leading to a powder magazine, saving the city from an explosion.
In 1830, after the victory of the revolution, Brussels became the capital of independent Belgium. In the 19th century, the Senne was covered over, and the central boulevards were laid out in its place. It was during this period that the city became the world capital of Art Nouveau, thanks to the genius of Victor Horta.
In the 20th century, Brussels gained the status of the de facto capital of the European Union. Today, it is one of the most international cities in the world, where foreigners make up more than 40% of the population.
The Architectural Code of Brussels
Brussels` architecture is a unique collage where medieval towers stand alongside Art Nouveau, monumental Beaux-Arts buildings with futuristic structures, and house walls are adorned with huge comics. Here, one can trace the entire history of European architecture.
Middle Ages and Gothic. Fragments of the 12th-century fortress walls remain from medieval Brussels. But the main masterpiece is the Grand-Place with its gems: the Gothic Town Hall (15th century) with its 96-meter openwork tower topped by a figure of the Archangel Michael, and the "King`s House" (rebuilt in the 19th century). The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula is a majestic example of Brabantine Gothic (13th–15th centuries).
Baroque and Classicism. After the 1695 bombardment, the Grand-Place was rebuilt in the Baroque style with elements of Classicism. Each guild house is unique: "The Fox" (grocers` guild), "The Sack" (cabinet makers), "The Cart" (brewers), and the famous "The Swan," where Karl Marx once stayed. The Royal Quarter, with the Place Royale and the Royal Palace, is built in the strict Neoclassical style of the 19th century.
Art Nouveau. Brussels is rightfully considered the world capital of Art Nouveau. It was here that Victor Horta built the Hôtel Tassel in 1893 — the first house in this style, where line and light became the architect`s main tools. Four of Horta`s buildings (Hôtel Tassel, Hôtel Solvay, Hôtel van Eetvelde, and his own house and studio) are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Other Art Nouveau masterpieces include the Saint-Cyr House on Place Ambiorix with its incredible facade, the Cauchie House, and the Hannon House, recently opened as a museum.
Art Deco and Eclecticism. The Stoclet Palace, designed by Viennese architect Josef Hoffmann, is an example of the strict geometric style that foreshadowed Modernism. The National Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg is a gigantic hybrid of Art Deco and Neo-Gothic, one of the largest churches in the world. The Palace of Justice is a monster of Eclecticism, more reminiscent of a Babylonian ziggurat than a courthouse, of monstrous size (the largest building in 19th-century Europe).
Contemporary Architecture. The Atomium (1958) is a symbol of the atomic age and faith in progress, a giant model of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. The European Quarter, with the EU headquarters, is a realm of glass and steel. The European Parliament building (the Espace Léopold complex) and the Europa building of the EU Council (the former Residence Palace with a new glass facade-lantern) shape the city`s modern face. The Tour & Taxis district is a former industrial warehouse complex transformed into a creative space.
Sights of Brussels
Grand-Place. Brussels` main square, which Victor Hugo called the most beautiful in Europe, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounded by gilded Baroque facades of guild houses, the Gothic Town Hall, and the Neo-Gothic "King`s House," it astonishes with its decorative richness. Every two years in August, the square is covered with a magnificent Flower Carpet made of begonias. In the evening, the lights come on, transforming the architecture into a theatrical stage set.
Manneken Pis. Brussels` most famous statue — a 55-centimeter bronze peeing boy, created by Jérôme Duquesnoy the Elder in 1619. He embodies the independent spirit of the citizens. He has over 1,000 costumes, stored in the City Museum, which he regularly changes. The statue has "relatives" — a peeing girl (Jeanneke-Pis) and a peeing dog (Zinneke-Pis), symbolizing multicultural Brussels.
Atomium. The city`s main futuristic symbol, built for the 1958 World Expo. Nine gleaming steel spheres, each 18 meters in diameter, are connected by tubes containing escalators. Inside are museum exhibits, and the top sphere houses a restaurant and a panoramic observation deck offering breathtaking views of Brussels.
Royal Palace (Palais Royal). The official residence of the Belgian king, located opposite Place Royale. The palace is open to the public only in summer (from late July to early September), when you can see the luxurious halls, including the famous Mirror Room with a ceiling made of beetle wings.
Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula. The country`s main Gothic cathedral, with two powerful towers and magnificent 16th-century stained glass windows. All the most important state ceremonies — royal weddings and funerals — take place here.
Parc du Cinquantenaire. A majestic park with a triumphal arch, built under Leopold II to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Belgian independence. It houses the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces, the Art & History Museum, and the famous Autoworld.
European Quarter. The district around the Round Point Schuman (Place du Luxembourg), where the EU institutions are concentrated. The main buildings are the European Parliament, the Europa building of the EU Council (with its distinctive glass lantern), and the headquarters of the European Commission (Berlaymont).
Museums of Brussels
Magritte Museum. The flagship of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, dedicated to the great surrealist. It houses over 200 works by René Magritte — from early experiments to famous paintings with bowlers, pipes, and clouds.
Belgian Comic Strip Centre. A paradise for fans of Tintin, the Smurfs, Lucky Luke, and Spirou. Housed in a luxurious Art Nouveau department store designed by Victor Horta. The exhibition tells the story of the Belgian comic strip and its creation process.
Horta Museum. The house-studio of the great architect, preserved in its original state. Every detail of the interior — from the furniture to the door handles — was designed by Horta. It allows visitors to immerse themselves in the world of authentic Art Nouveau.
Choco-Story Brussels. An aromatic museum that tells the history of cocoa from the Mayans to the present day, offers workshops, and, of course, gives visitors a taste of Belgian chocolate.
Musical Instruments Museum (MIM). Housed in the luxurious Old England Art Nouveau building. A collection of over 8,000 instruments from around the world, with an audio guide that lets you hear what they sound like.
Brussels` Palaces, Districts, and Special Flavor
Mont des Arts. An arts hill with a garden and a viewing point offering the best view of the city. It houses the Royal Library, the National Archives, and the film library.
Sablon. An elegant district of antique dealers, chocolatiers, and art galleries. The main sights are the Gothic Church of Our Blessed Lady of the Sablon and the Petit Sablon square with its 48 bronze statuettes symbolizing medieval crafts.
Marolles. A working-class district with a flea market on the Place du Jeu de Balle, operating since 1873. The atmosphere of old Brussels, with bars and restaurants for locals.
Saint-Géry. The epicenter of nightlife and trendy bars around the former covered market. A hangout spot for young people and the main gastronomic cluster.
Sainte-Catherine. The district around the Church of St. Catherine, known for its best seafood restaurants and bars. The popular Christmas market also takes place here.
Unusual Corners and Contemporary Spaces of Brussels
• Comic Book Route. All over the city, huge murals of comic book heroes are painted on the walls of houses: Tintin, the Smurfs, Gaston, and others. You can follow them like a treasure hunt.
• KANAL — Centre Pompidou. A grand museum of contemporary art, opened in 2025 in the former Citroën garages. Brussels` new cultural mecca.
• Maison Hannon. A recently restored and opened Art Nouveau masterpiece (1904) by architect Jules Brunfaut, which can be visited with a guided tour.
• Tour & Taxis. A former customs complex, transformed into a trendy space with restaurants, offices, markets, and gardens.
Practical Tips
• When to go. The best time is from May to September: warm weather, outdoor cafes open, many festivals. In August, every two years, the Flower Carpet adorns the Grand-Place. In December, there are Christmas markets.
• Book tickets in advance. Queues can be long for the Horta Museum, Maison Hannon, the Atomium, and the Magritte Museum. Buy tickets online a few days in advance. Visiting the Royal Palace is only possible in summer, and it`s free.
• Transport. The STIB metro, trams, and buses cover the entire city. Tickets can be paid for with a contactless card directly on transport (€2.30 per journey, max €8.40 per day). The Brussels Card is convenient, offering free museum entry and travel.
• Where to eat. The Sainte-Catherine, Saint-Géry, Ixelles, and Marolles districts are gastronomic centers. Be sure to try mussels with fries (moules-frites), Flemish beef stew (carbonnade flamande), shrimp croquettes, stoemp, waffles (Brussels-style — light, rectangular; Liège-style — dense, with caramelized sugar), and, of course, Belgian chocolate.
• What to drink. Belgian beer is a matter of national pride. Try Trappist beers (Westvleteren, Chimay, Orval), lambics (sour beer), gueuzes, and krieks (cherry beer). The best bars are Delirium Café (over 2,000 varieties), A la Mort Subite, and Poechenellekelder (near Manneken Pis).
• Good to know. Brussels is a bilingual city: signs and names are duplicated in French and Dutch. English is understood everywhere. Many museums are closed on Mondays. Sunday is flea market day in the Marolles.
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the capital of Europe. It is a city with a population of about 1.2 million (in the metropolitan area), where over 180 nationalities create a unique cosmopolitan mix. It is a city where the political decisions of a united Europe coexist with gastronomic pleasures, where street murals are integrated into medieval walls, and where beer is recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.
