Brussels, Belgium

Onward to Brussels, via Paris. "What?", you say, "Paris isn't on the way to Brussels from Berlin". It is when you travel with the Derr's, apparently. We booked on the same fast train from Cologne, Germany to Paris, France that we had taken 4 yrs ago. Cologne was our transfer stop from Berlin to the fast train to Paris. The fast train only makes one stop in Brussels between the two cities. That is where we were to get off. Just before arrival, they made an announcement that there would be a slight delay attaching additional cars before you could get off the train. I thought we should wait by the door, ready to get off. Doug thought they would make an additional announcement. I knew from 4 yrs ago we only stayed at the station about 10 minutes or less. Sure enough, no additional announcement was made and the train left the station, with the Derr's still on board. Thus, 1 1/2 hrs later we were in Paris. We went straight to the platform where the next train back to Brussels was scheduled to depart within 20 minutes and talked our way onto that train, which was already packed. We spent the next 1 1/2 hrs back to Brussels on little pull-out seats at the back of car number 6 with 3 other people. At least we had little seats vs Czechoslovakia where we had to stand, AND, we didn't have to pay ~$500 for tickets to Paris and back to Brussels. I guess the French railroad personnel thought it was worth $500 to them to get a good laugh at the stupid Americans who didn't know when to get off the train. Sheesh. (My sarcasm is showing. It was extremely generous of the French railroad not to charge us for our own stupidity which they had every right to do.) Despite the now late hour and after numerous phone calls, we were also still able to get into our B&B, too. Thank goodness.

The next few days were much better, fortunately. We went to the Grand Place first and grand it is. It is the central square of Brussels and probably started in the 12th century. It grew and declined or was destroyed during many centuries of war but was returned to it's former glory during the second half of the 19th century. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.

The south side of the square is formed by the Brussels City Hall (the seat of municipal power) which was originally constructed in 1401 - 1456 (almost completely destroyed in 1695).

Across from that is the Maison du roi (King's House or Breadhouse in Dutch) which was built between 1504 and 1536 as a symbol of ducal power to counter the City Hall.

All the houses along the square were destroyed but were reconstructed between 1695 and 1700 under city councilor regulation so that the layout of the square is very harmonious. They were subsequently damaged and neglected but restored and reconstructed during the second half of the 19th century.




One thing we have noticed in Europe is the people are creative. If you don't have a beach, no problem, just set up some chairs next to a beer bar and there you have it.

Brussels was the site of the 1958 World Fair, the first World Fair after WW II. They built the Atomium for it to highlight technology and a bright future. It originally had an aluminum coating (Atomium for Atom and Aluminum) but the sheeting was replaced with stainless steel during a refurbishment in 2003-2005. There are several "atoms" that you go through for views and exhibits.

There are two royal palaces in Brussels, one downtown which is the working palace where the king greets dignitaries and conducts business, and one more outside of town that is the residence. The downtown palace is the only one open to the public and only during August. There is a very nice park across the street from it which we walked through.


St. Michael and St. Gudula's Cathedral is the main place of worship in Brussels. It was started in the 12th century but took hundreds of years to complete.

Every city needs an arch and Brussels' is the Cinquantenaire. There is a park on both sides and museums flank what I would have called the back. The front has the curved wings that are painted with murals.

A description of Brussels wouldn't be complete without mentioning the European Union which is headquartered in Brussels. They have several buildings throughout town.

These pictures are of a little museum that is up the street from our B&B. It was built in 1381 and is called Halle Gate. It was part of the second set of defensive walls that enclosed Brussels and survived because it was used as a prison, among other things. It was restored between 1868 and 1870, at which time it was modified and embellished.