All countries of Western Europe are very interesting in terms of attractions. The buildings of their cities are so old that they remember not only the Middle Ages, but even more ancient times. However, here you can find modern buildings, monuments and statues. And museums, squares, embankments - they simply can not be found, and every place deserves attention. We suggest you to visit in absentia such an interesting country, like Belgium, and get acquainted with its most interesting sights.
What sights are there in Belgium?
The most popular and perhaps the main attraction of Belgium is the sculpture "Manneken Pis," which is one of the most famous statues in the world . The time of its creation is unknown, as well as the author. But the famous building still attracts crowds of tourists who want to see this miracle with their own eyes. Many of them, by the way, remain disappointed: the size of the bronze sculpture is not impressive at all, because the growth of a miniature boy is only 61 cm. Interestingly, there is another similar fountain in the city - "The Pissing Girl", with a statue 50 cm in size. It was built in 1985 as a parody.
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But Brussels is famous not only for pissing babies. A more modern structure called Atomium is also popular among visitors. It symbolizes Belgium with its 9 provinces, because it is made in the form of a giant iron molecule containing 9 atoms. And the deep meaning that the architects A. and M. Polakova and A. Waterkein invested in the Atomium is the peaceful use of atomic energy, which is very important in our time. By the way, a huge molecule is not just a statue. Pipes connecting atoms are in fact corridors that connect coffee houses and cinemas, souvenir shops and a concert hall. And at the very top of the Atomium is an observation deck.
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For lovers of more traditional attractions, the main among the cities of Belgium offers to visit the ancient monumental cathedral, consecrated in honor of St. Michael. Very beautiful look two of its Gothic towers of 69 meters in height, and the interior is simply amazing with the luxury of stained glass, forged reliefs and carved altar.
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Another Gothic building in Brussels is the majestic King's House. Now here is a museum where the exposition with works of art of the Belgian people is stored. Previously, the building had a completely different appearance, because there were warehouses, a prison, the tax service of the Duke of Brabant and other services. In the King's House, this structure was renamed in the days of Napoleon: foreign governors often came here, who felt at home and behaved like kings.
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In search of interesting places worth visiting and other cities in Belgium - for example, Bruges. Its historical center encompasses several sights at once, to study which is desirable in the ensemble, and not separately. In particular, these are the Markt and Burg areas, where the local town hall, the basilica of the Holy Blood of Christ, the Palace of Justice, the Belfort tower and others are located.
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In the city of Ghent in Belgium, all the attractions are also concentrated in a relatively small area. This is the Cathedral of St. Bavo, the Church of St. Nicholas and the Tower-belltower. Also, be sure to visit St. Michael's Bridge, the Watchtower and the castle of Flanders, where the museum is now located with an impressive collection of tools of medieval torture.
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When in Antwerp , do not forget to admire its city hall. This building - one of the first in Northern Europe, built in the Renaissance style. It was erected in 1565 by the architect Floris, a local resident. The town hall has two floors, and the upper one is a through room ("gulbishche"). But the most interesting appearance of the building, abundantly decorated with heraldic symbols. There are flags of the Spanish Habsburgs, the Dukes of Brabant, and the Antwerp margraves. And in the center of the town hall, in the niche, is the sculpture of Our Lady, the patroness of this city.
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Traveling with the whole family, pay attention to the sights of Belgium, the most interesting for children. Among them, one can not fail to mention the Anversen Zoo. Here you will find more than 770 species of various fauna species, including endangered species, which were preserved thanks to the efforts of the staff members of this zoo. The buildings on the territory of the zoo are also old, some of them were built in the middle of the XIX century.
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