Cultural sightseeing in Belgium. What to visit - museums, temples, castles and palaces
Some people mistakenly believe Belgium is not an interesting country to visit. This unfortunate misconception is utterly untrue. In fact, Belgium as a country contains everything necessary for cultural recreation: historical and art museums will acquaint you with the history and art of Belgium, churches, and temples of various denominations will amaze you with their beauty, grandeur, and antiquity, and besides, there are many interesting historical sites on the Belgian land, some of which are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This list includes, for example, the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp. It was erected in a space of 169 years, and in 1521 it was finally open to the parishioners. In this magnificent Gothic building are works of famous artists.
Belgium could not avoid such fashionable directions as design hotels. Modern fashion trends can be traced in a number of hotels offering their guests …
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The capital of the European Union simply cannot afford not to have luxury hotels in its own square, especially considering the constant influx of …
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The Groeninge Museum in Bruges is renowned for its rich collection of Belgian art from different eras. Pictures of such giants as Jan van Eyck, the earlier works of Belgian artists, neoclassicism and 20th-century art are only part of the collection. In addition to the permanent exhibits, you can see other works within the framework of temporary exhibitions in the museum. The Museum is open every day except Mondays, from 10 am to 5 pm. The city of Antwerp is proud of the Diamond Museum, where every day there is a public demonstration of the polishing of diamonds. An extensive collection will introduce you to the characteristics of the jewel, their extraction, and processing phases. Also, there is a museum of photography (Fotomuseum) in Antwerp, showing the work of Belgian photographers of different years. The museum encourages young photographers in Belgium by displaying their work on its walls. It is better to visit this place without children, as some works can be quite explicit.
The Belgians, living in a country rich in history, not only maintain their own history but also try to extract a lot of benefits from it. Historical …
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If you find yourself in Brussels, you are humbly obliged to visit the Grand Place in the City Center, which is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. The square has been in existence since the 13th century. Cultural events are held here, and finally, it is just a pleasure to walk around the square, admiring the buildings with baroque and gothic architecture. In Ypres, there is the Menin Gate, built as a monument to the Belgians who were killed not far from here during the First World War. The bodies of the warriors, which number about half a million, were never found. For the past 90 years, every evening at eight o’clock, the trumpet here sounds, followed by a minute of silence in memory of the dead.
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Fantastic City Tours and Excursions in Belgium
Reference information
Art galleries in Belgium
♥ Art museum 'Cinquantenaire Museum' Brussels. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Groeningemuseum' Bruges. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Horta Museum' Brussels. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Museum Mayer van den Bergh' Antwerp. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Museum of Fine Arts' Ghent. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Cinquantenaire Museum' Brussels. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Groeningemuseum' Bruges. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Horta Museum' Brussels. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Museum Mayer van den Bergh' Antwerp. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Museum of Fine Arts' Ghent. On the map Photos
Cathedrals and basilicas in Belgium
♥ Basilique Saint-Materne, Walcourt. On the map Photos
♥ Basilique-Abbatiale Saint-Benoît de Maredsous, Anhée. On the map Photos
♥ Basilique abbatiale Notre-Dame de Bonne-Espérance, Vellereille-les-Brayeux. On the map Photos
♥ Cathédrale Saint-Aubain, Namur. On the map Photos
♥ Basilique Notre-Dame de Bonsecours, Bon-Secours. On the map Photos
♥ Sanctuaire de Notre-Dame de Banneux, Banneux. On the map Photos
♥ Basilique Notre-Dame de Tongre, Tongre-Notre-Dame. On the map Photos
♥ Basilique Saint-Materne, Walcourt. On the map Photos
♥ Basilique-Abbatiale Saint-Benoît de Maredsous, Anhée. On the map Photos
♥ Basilique abbatiale Notre-Dame de Bonne-Espérance, Vellereille-les-Brayeux. On the map Photos
♥ Cathédrale Saint-Aubain, Namur. On the map Photos
♥ Basilique Notre-Dame de Bonsecours, Bon-Secours. On the map Photos
♥ Sanctuaire de Notre-Dame de Banneux, Banneux. On the map Photos
♥ Basilique Notre-Dame de Tongre, Tongre-Notre-Dame. On the map Photos
Palaces in Belgium
♥ Palace 'Egmont Palace' Brussels. On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Royal Castle of Laeken' Brussels. On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Royal Palace of Antwerp' Antwerp. On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Royal Palace of Belgium' Brussels. On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Egmont Palace' Brussels. On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Royal Castle of Laeken' Brussels. On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Royal Palace of Antwerp' Antwerp. On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Royal Palace of Belgium' Brussels. On the map Photos
Extreme Guinness-type places in Belgium
Central Station Antwerp
From the series “Top 14 Most Astonishing Railway Stations in the World”
The central Antwerp railway station is one of the most beautiful landmarks of the city. It is located in the magnificent building made in the neo-baroque style in the beginning of the 20th century. A great sum of money was spent on this building. The sum was enormous because there were used more than 20 types of stone and marble. Nowadays the marvellous railway station, located on the Astrid square, receive trains from Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels and some Belgium towns.
The famous architect Louis Dela censerie has built this marvellous railway station. Today the station's building impresses not only with its exterior but also with the interior. In the building has been saved an adorable cupola like celling. It is decorated with the paintings and outstanding leaded panels. Wide marble … Read all
The famous architect Louis Dela censerie has built this marvellous railway station. Today the station's building impresses not only with its exterior but also with the interior. In the building has been saved an adorable cupola like celling. It is decorated with the paintings and outstanding leaded panels. Wide marble … Read all
Brugge
From the series “The Last City-Fortresses Survived to This Day”
Brugge is one of the most picturesque town of Europe. It has unique medieval landmarks. Not only fortress walls and some fragments of the fort but also a lot of unique medieval buildings were saved till our days. The Church of Our Lady is one of them. It was built in the beginning of the 13th century. The outstanding architectural monument of the 12th century is the Saint Salvator's Cathedral, the Basilica of the Holy Blood.
Many excursions begin from the Markt Square. Several historical objects are situated right near it. For example: the guard tower Belfort. It’s 83 meters high and dated from 1240 year. The town is also known thanks to its cultural centers. There has placed the world-known Groeninge museum, which has an extensive collection of medieval and early modern art, including … Read all
All unique sightseeing Belgium
Many excursions begin from the Markt Square. Several historical objects are situated right near it. For example: the guard tower Belfort. It’s 83 meters high and dated from 1240 year. The town is also known thanks to its cultural centers. There has placed the world-known Groeninge museum, which has an extensive collection of medieval and early modern art, including … Read all
Thailand Relaxes Its COVID-19 Policy
New Year events in Thailand are likely to bring more people this year because everyone is tired of lockdowns and craving normal life. Many tourists, who book hotels in Pattaya, Krabi, or Phuket for the holiday season, also want to participate. As champagne has become an essential drink for New Year celebrations, the question regarding alcohol consumption comes to mind. The government allowed serving alcoholic drinks during the New Year countdown but only open-air cafes and restaurants with good ventilation will be permitted to do this until 1 am on 1 January 2022. This rule is nationwide. Read this
27.04.2024
New Year events in Thailand are likely to bring more people this year because everyone is tired of lockdowns and craving normal life. Many tourists, who book hotels in Pattaya, Krabi, or Phuket for the holiday season, also want to participate. As champagne has become an essential drink for New Year celebrations, the question regarding alcohol consumption comes to mind. The government allowed serving alcoholic drinks during the New Year countdown but only open-air cafes and restaurants with good ventilation will be permitted to do this until 1 am on 1 January 2022. This rule is nationwide. Read this
27.04.2024
Top cultural sites of Belgium: monuments, theaters and churches
Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Brussels
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The Catholic Basilica of the Sacred Heart is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was inspired by the eponymous basilica in Paris. » This shrine is the sixth area of the Roman Catholic Church in the world.
» The church is the large structure with two towers and a green copper dome towering 89 meters above the ground. The length of the building is almost 165 meters.
» In total the church can accommodate up to 2,000 people.
» The basilica houses a restaurant, a Catholic radio station, theater, two museums, and a place of training cavers and climbers.
Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Brugge
» The cathedral is famous for its luxury interior, many religious relics and pieces of art.
» The walls of the cathedral are decorated with Brussels canvasses of the 18th century and multicolored paintings of the 19th century. Due to them, the cathedral looks festive.
» In the cathedral, there is a museum where you can see such precious artifacts, as “The Death of Hippolytus”, a triptych created by Dirk Bouts and Hugo van der Goes in 1470, and the painting “Golgotha”, one of the oldest canvasses in Brugge.
» The organ in the cathedral is the oldest in the country. It was created in the baroque style in 1717.
Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, Brussels
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula is one of the main attractions of Brussels, and the clearest example of Gothic architecture. » The building of the cathedral is a symmetrical composition with two towers, within which there is a long staircase opening onto the terrace that is 64 meters high. The terrace offers a magnificent view of the city.
» The Cathedral has four doors decorated with wrought-reliefs and statues of saints. There is a huge stained glass above the main entrance.
» Stained glasses decorating the cathedral were created in the 16th century by Jan Haq and in 18-19th century by Jean-Baptiste Kaproner.
» The cathedral houses the mausoleum of the Belgian national hero Frederic de Merode.
Chapel Church, Brussels
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The Chapel Church is one of the oldest churches in Brussels, the first mention of which dates back to 1134 year. During its long history the church has undergone many changes; it has repeatedly been destroyed and rebuilt. » There are graves of local nobility and famous people inside the church.
» Nowadays, the Chapel Church is the parish church of the Polish Catholic community in Brussels.
» You can see the entire collection of paintings, sculptures and stained glass inside the temple.
» The church regularly hosts a variety of concerts. It’s open to visitors all year round.
Church of Our Blessed Lady, Brussels
» The Church was built in the period from 1400 to 1594. It’s located near Small Sablon Park that was laid in honor of the great men of the sixteenth century.
» The church building is decorated with beautiful stained glass windows; bright interior lighting is turned on in the night.
» Since its construction in 1784, the church has being serving as the burial place for noble aristocratic families.
» The church is famous for its numerous sculptures adorning the facade of the building, its grounds and interior.
Church of Our Lady, Brugge
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The Church of Our Lady is a construction that features the combination of Gothic and Roman styles. » The construction lasted over 2 years and was completed in the 13th century.
» In the spacious church with a 122-meter tower, the only sculpture of Michelangelo, “The Virgin Mary with the Baby”, is kept.
» Some windows of the church have the shape of a Reuleaux triangle. Such windows are quite rare.
» The church is famous for the fact that the wife of Maximilian I Mary of Burgundy who lived a short life was buried here. The emperor loved his wife very much and called her the most beautiful woman in the world.
Church of Saint-Jean, Liege
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The octagonal church of St. Jean looks bleak and strict. » The church is named Saint-Jean-en-Lille, which means “a temple on the island”). The first building was built on the plot surrounded by water.
» The founder of the church was Bishop Notger. The bishop expressed his gratitude to God for assistance in captivating the Chevremon Fortress. The warrior found rest here. The tomb with his relics was lost due to the overflow of the river. The sarcophagus of the leader was restored but his remnants were not found. The flood gave an impetus to the building reconstruction.
» Italian and Liege architects worked on the project. Only a bell tower built in the Roman style has survived.
» At the Saint-Jean-en-Lille, pieces of sacred art are kept: the wooden sculpture of Apostle John and the Mother of God with a baby (1230), paintings from the Late Middle Ages, a carved cross, and wooden lockets depicting St. Paul and Peter. On the altar, there is the preserved gospel dating back to 1564.
» The interior is distinguished by stained glass windows of the 16th century, furniture on the baroque style, and a carved Gothic vault.
Church of St. Bartholomew, Liege
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The Church of St. Bartholomew attracts with its exterior. Vertical ledges of red columns contrast with the background of the white sandstone walls. » A lot of pilgrims following the road of St. Jacob visited the church.
» The unfinished building was blessed when the foundation was laid.
» The Church of St. Bartholomew built in the Roman style is located beyond the city.
» There are two similar bell towers at the sides of the church.
» In the hall, you can see paintings by eminent artists. The main theme of canvasses is the glorification of Jesus.
» You can also see a brass bowl here. A font was built in the 12th century. The bowl is installed on the backs of bulls. There were 12 statues of animals but two of them have been lost. These bulls represent twelve followers of Christ. The walls of the font are decorated with five relief paintings depicting scenes from the life of celestial beings. The fineness of details really impresses. The font is placed on a pedestal in a separate room.
» The restoration of the building lasted 7 years and was completed in 2006. The colorful ornament on painted walls was renovated. It had to change 10 000 tiles.