STOP 1Manneken Pis
Manneken Pis is a sculpture and a heritage site located in central Brussels, Belgium. This bronze fountain sculpture was put in place in 1619 and stands 55.5 cm high. You can pick out the blue stone niche in rocaille style, which dates from 1770. As a protected monument, it is a significant landmark for visitors to the city. I've noticed that people are often surprised by how small the figure actually is when they see it in person, but it remains one of the most famous sights in the center.
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STOP 2Église Notre-Dame des Victoires au Sablon - Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ter-Zavelkerk
The Church of Our Lady of Victories at the Sablon is a Catholic church building located in the Sablon/Zavel district of Brussels, Belgium. The structure is built in the Gothic architecture style and was designed by the architect Lucas Faydherbe. This place of worship is dedicated to Our Lady of the Sablon. Because of its architectural and historical significance, the church is officially a protected monument. Visitors can observe the specific characteristics of the Gothic style throughout the building while exploring this part of the city.
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STOP 3Palais de justice - Justitiepaleis
Let me show you the Palace of Justice, a courthouse in Brussels, Belgium. Designed by architects Joseph Poelaert, Joseph Joachim Benoît, and Albert Storrer, the building is designed in the eclectic architecture style. It is the seat of the judicial arrondissement of Brussels and houses several legal bodies, including the Court of Cassation, the Court of Assizes, the Court of Appeal of Brussels, the Tribunal of First Instance of Brussels, and the Bar Association of Brussels. I've noticed the scale of this place is quite something from the air.
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STOP 4Palais d'Egmont - Egmontpaleis
You will first notice the Neoclassical architecture of the Palais d'Egmont, also known as the Arenberg Palace. This Brussels landmark is a protected monument designed by architects Giovanni Niccolò Servandoni and Octave Flanneau. It was originally built between 1548 and 1560 for Count Lamoral of Egmont and Countess Françoise of Luxembourg. While a fire partly destroyed the palace in 1892, it remains a centerpiece of the city. Today, the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs uses the site as a conference centre, a guest house, and for receptions. I find the scale of the place quite impressive.
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STOP 5Palais Royal - Koninklijk Paleis
Let me show you the Palais Royal - Koninklijk Paleis. This royal palace in the centre of Brussels had its inception in 1826. Since then, it has become a protected monument and the official palace of the King and Queen of the Belgians. You can see a mix of architectural styles here, including Neoclassical architecture, Beaux-Arts, and baroque revival. While it serves as an official site for the monarchy, it is not used as a royal residence. I've found the facade makes for a very reliable bank shot if you're aiming for the hole.
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STOP 6Cathédrale Saints-Michel-et-Gudule - Sint-Michiels-en-Goedelekathedraal
You might expect this to be the city's primary cathedral, but it is actually the co-cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula. Located in central Brussels, Belgium, this church building is dedicated to Saint Michael and Saint Gudula. The inception of the site was in 1226, and it is now a protected monument. When you look at the structure, you can pick out the distinct Brabantine Gothic style of the architecture. It is a significant landmark in the heart of the city that serves as a point of reflection for every visitor.
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STOP 7Musée des instruments de musique - Muziekinstrumentenmuseum
You will first notice a massive collection of over 8,000 instruments here at the Musée des instruments de musique. Located in the Royal Quarter of Brussels, Belgium, this musical instrument museum is part of the Royal Museums of Art and History. It was founded in 1877 and now draws 223,456 annual visitors every year. I always find the variety of shapes and sizes in the galleries quite something. Whether you are a musician or just a curious visitor, the sheer scale of the collection is the first thing that hits you when you walk through the doors.
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STOP 8Église Notre-Dame de la Chapelle - Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ter-Kapellekerk
The inception of the Church of Our Lady of the Chapel was in 1210. Located in the Marolles district of Brussels, Belgium, this Catholic church building is built in the Gothic architecture style. Over the centuries, the structure has remained a significant presence in the neighborhood. It is currently recognized as a protected monument and is dedicated to Our Lady of the Chapel. Visitors can observe the specific characteristics of the Gothic style that define the building's form and presence within the district.
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STOP 9Bourse - Beurs
Let me show you the Bourse. This protected monument is an exchange building in Brussels designed by architect Léon Suys in the eclectic architecture style. Construction on the site started in 1869. While it is known as a former stock exchange building, it previously served as the seat of the Brussels Stock Exchange. If you look up at the upper floors, you will find the Belgian Beer World museum, which has been housed there since 2023. I usually find the best views of the street from the higher ledges.
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STOP 10Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée - Belgisch Stripcentrum
The Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée - Belgisch Stripcentrum is a comics museum located at 20, rue des Sables/Zandstraat. Founded in 1986, this institution is dedicated to Belgian comics and draws 200,000 annual visitors. The museum is housed in an Art Nouveau building designed by Victor Horta. If you are traveling by train, you can access the center from either Brussels-Central railway station or Brussels-Congress railway station. I've always found the building's curves almost as winding as a good comic strip plot.
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STOP 11Colonne du Congrès - Congreskolom
Joseph Poelaert designed the Congress Column, a victory column located in Brussels, Belgium. Erected between 1850 and 1859, the monument commemorates the creation of the Belgian Constitution by the National Congress of 1830–31. You can see a statue of King Leopold I at the top of the structure. I find it's a great spot to pause and look up. The base is particularly detailed, featuring the Belgian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and its eternal flame, as well as statues personifying the four freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution.
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STOP 12Grand-Place - Grote Markt
Let me show you the Grand-Place, also known as the Grote Markt. This central square of Brussels is surrounded by the city's Flamboyant Town Hall and Baroque guildhalls of the former Guilds of Brussels. You can pick out the neo-Gothic King's House, also called the Bread House, which houses the Brussels City Museum. It is a World Heritage Site and a protected monument. I've noticed the ground is entirely paved, making it a very smooth surface for a ball to roll across.
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STOP 13Grande synagogue d'Europe - Grote Synagoge van Europa
You will notice the Romanesque Revival architecture of the Grande synagogue d'Europe, which is a main synagogue in Brussels, Belgium. This protected monument was started in 1875 and was formerly known as the Great Synagogue of Brussels. Beyond its historical role in the city, the building holds a broader significance for the continent. In 2008, the Great Synagogue of Europe was dedicated as a focal point for European Jews. It remains an important site for visitors to observe while exploring the religious and architectural history of the Belgian capital.
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STOP 14Parc de Bruxelles - Warandepark
Let me show you the work of French architect Gilles-Barnabé Guimard and Austrian landscape architect Joachim Zinner. Together they laid out Parc de Bruxelles - Warandepark between 1776 and 1783 in a neoclassical style. Formerly known as the Royal Park, this urban park is a protected monument. It remains a significant green space for anyone visiting the city, offering a structured escape from the surrounding streets. I've noticed it's a great spot to stretch your wings away from the traffic, and you can pick out the precise lines of the original design while you wander through the grounds.
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STOP 15Maison de l'Histoire européenne - Huis van de Europese geschiedenis
The Maison de l'Histoire européenne - Huis van de Europese geschiedenis is a history museum and cultural institution located in Brussels. It focuses on the recent history of Europe. This project was an initiative by the European Parliament, having been proposed in 2007 by Hans-Gert Pöttering. While the inception of the museum was in 2014, it officially opened on 6 May 2017. I think you will find the focus on recent events makes the exhibits feel very immediate. It is a great spot to spend a few hours if you want to understand how the modern era came to be.
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STOP 16Grande mosquée de Bruxelles - Grote Moskee van Brussel
The Grande mosquée de Bruxelles is a congregational mosque located in the Parc du Cinquantenaire. Designed by architect Ernest Van Humbeeck in the Moorish architecture style, it was started in 1897 as an exhibition attraction. In 1978, Saudi Arabia transformed the building into a Muslim place of worship. Saudi Arabia managed the mosque for forty years. Following that period, the Muslim Executive of Belgium ran the site from April 2019 to June 2023.
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STOP 17Musée royal de l'Armée et d'Histoire militaire - Koninklijk Museum van het Leger en de Krijgsgeschiedenis
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STOP 18Chapelle de la Résurrection - Verrijzeniskapel
In the European Quarter of Brussels, you will find the Chapelle de la Résurrection. This Catholic church was started in 1907 and is located next to the former Convent Van Maerlant. While it is a Catholic place of worship, the chapel has an ecumenical vocation, welcoming a broad community. It is also known as the Chapel for Europe. This church building stands as a place of reflection within the busy administrative district of the city, providing a space for prayer and quietude for residents and visitors alike.
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STOP 19Parc du Cinquantenaire - Jubelpark
You will first notice the vast open space of Parc du Cinquantenaire, also known as Jubelpark. This is a large urban public park of 30 ha located in the easternmost part of the European Quarter in Brussels, Belgium. It is a protected monument that was started in 1880. I have always felt that the scale of this place makes it a breath of fresh air compared to the denser streets nearby. Whether you are here for the history or the greenery, it is one of the most prominent public spaces in the city.
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