The Grand Place in Brussels, located in the city center, was built in the 12th century. In 1998, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The square is surrounded by tall Gothic buildings adorned with golden decorations, which shine brightly in the sunlight. Today, the square is also highly regarded by the Brussels royal family, who hold solemn ceremonial rituals led by the king every year. The area around the square is filled with shops, bars, and chocolate stores, all beautifully decorated. The square is open all day and admission is free.
Peeing boy
The Manneken Pis, whose real name is Julien, is a legendary figure in Belgium. Legend has it that in ancient times, Julien was awakened by the need to urinate in the middle of the night and discovered invaders hiding explosives nearby, planning to destroy the city. Quick-witted, Julien extinguished the fuse with his urine, saving the city from disaster. The statue, created by Belgian sculptor Jérôme Duquesnoy in 1619, has been standing in Brussels for over 400 years and is a true symbol of the city. (Located on a street corner, the site is often crowded with tourists, allowing only brief visits for photo opportunities.)
New European Union headquarters building
The new headquarters of the European Union is called the Berlaymont Building, which is owned by the Belgian government. It was built in 1967 and has been leased by the EU since then. Countless important EU meetings and work have taken place here for over 30 years. In 1991, the Berlaymont Building was renovated and refurbished by the Belgian government. It is estimated that at least three thousand EU personnel work here every day.
St. Michael's Cathedral in Saint-Quentin
Construction of the Saint Michel and Saint Gudule Cathedral, which began in 1017, did not go smoothly. It took over 60 years for the craftsmen to complete this grand religious building, blending Roman and Gothic styles. From an aerial view, the entire cathedral takes the form of a standard cross. Initially, the site chosen was thought to be too steep for construction, so several buildings were built along the slope before the cathedral, creating the illusion of a flat surface. The interior decoration of the main hall is mainly in the Roman style, with seven open spaces in the dome, and from the platform in front of the entrance, one can see the boundless ocean.
The Belgian Comic Strip Center is located in a former shop called Wauquiez in the Brussels business district. It houses a collection of comic art that covers almost every genre. The most famous ones include The Smurfs, Tintin, and Snowy. This richly stocked museum documents the rise and prosperity of Belgian comic art, and provides introduction texts in different languages for visitors from different countries to ensure their enjoyment. To enhance the fun of the visit, the museum also features cartoon sculptures or toys on each floor for visitors to take photos and enjoy.
According to reports, the Atomium in Brussels has two meanings: one expresses people's sincere yearning for the development of atomic energy, and the other symbolizes the unity of the Belgian people and the European people. Visitors can freely move between the nine spheres and overlook the surrounding scenery through elevators. There is also a restaurant with a large capacity on the top of the tower for visitors to dine and rest.
Mini Europe is located in the north of Brussels Park, with the famous landmark building Atomium to the south. It covers an area of 250,000 square meters and displays iconic architectural models from almost all European countries. All models are cast at a scale of 1:25 and placed outdoors. To facilitate visitors' understanding, the attraction provides introduction texts in different languages to ensure that every visitor can appreciate the works in front of them. There are also some paid attractions or interactive devices in the park for visitors to enjoy and learn at the same time.
