Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is a cosmopolitan city where many different cultures live together and where different languages can be heard on each street. As headquarters of many European institutions, it’s a capital for the European Union. Being at the crossroads it’s playing an important role in Europe and fits the definition of the archetypal “melting pot”, but still retains its own unique character.
Representing The Norwegian Computer Society, I quite often go to Brussels e.g. in CEPIS meetings; Council of European Professional Informatics Societies, representing over 300,000 informatics professionals in 33 countries. As a network evangelist, it’s a thrill talking with and making friends with people from all over Europe – a great way to get new insight in the diversity and similarity of our cultures, traditions and habits. Further more, when I have the chance, I love to explore the same variety and contrast in the different architectural styles that can be found in the city; the former capital of the medieval Duchy of Brabant. Last week, I had some extra hours and walked around with my Nikon camera and you’re welcome to join me. Let’s start with a waterhole where they serve my favourite Belgium beer: Stella Artois:
Grand’Place or Grote Market:
Just around the corner, you’ll find the heart of Brussels and the place to start getting to know the city. This historic market square with its splendid guild houses and the impressive Gothic beauty of the Town Hall, is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe:
The Town Hall and the square starts to get decorated for Christmas.
Once there, you know it from the size of the square, the breath taking architecture and because there are tourists with world wide languages taking pictures and posing:
The square attracts special occasions or celebrations too. When I was there the 20th of November, Students of l’Université libre de Bruxelles were honouring The Free University of Brussels. Founded in 1834, it was a reaction against the catholic domination in higher education. Its name refers to the complete freedom of inquiry which is the founding principle of the university, and to the freedom of domination by either state or religious authorities. Like almost every institution in the bilingual Belgium, the Brussels University has been split up into French and a Dutch-speaking part:
Manneken Pis:
Just a short walk from the Grand Place Market is the Manneken Pis, a small bronze statue thought to represent the “irreverent spirit” of Brussels:
Another popular place to pose as a tourist
This statue of a child performing one of Nature’s most basic functions is believed to have been inspired by a child who, while in a tree, found a special way to drive away invading troops. Belgians have created hundreds of outfits for this statue and this day of course it was Students of l’Université libre de Bruxelles
Windows shopping:
Brussels and Belgium is famous for a lot – let’s explore through window shopping and I’ll let the photos speaks for themselves:
Left above: Chocolates – Right above: Sweets, biscuits and more yummy
Left below: Beer – Right below: Belgium lace
The Fish Market:
Just to the north of Grand Place. Brussels’ restaurant gauntlet can be found in Rue des Bouchers – Beenhouwerstraat, and side streets. You find all kinds of Belgian cuisine of course, but as a Norwegian I look for seafood and find a lot – that’s why I call it a Fish Market (read my post from a previous for more details):
Left: Seafood stand – Right: The narrow and cosy restaurant street.
This again shows one reason why I love my hobby, blogging. It adds a new dimension to my love of travelling. In my travels I am always thinking of my blog, and its contents which I like to be informative. In this way I pay more attention and learn more about the places I visit so I can share it with my favourite readers. That’s one reason why I would like to invite others to have the same experience in Oslo, and I would love to show you around you know. Click to see the constant improving program of The Oslo Blog Gathering 2010!
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:42 am
Ah so many wonderful places to visit. I find that one lifetime may not be enough.
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November 23rd, 2009 at 1:54 am
Uauu! Your photos are wonderful!
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November 23rd, 2009 at 2:05 am
What a wonderful tour for those of us that have never been. I stopped off at the seafood place and stuff myself. Yummy. Okay, I like food.
Have a terrific day. Big hug to you and Diane.
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November 23rd, 2009 at 4:48 am
I think my pocketbook would be much lighter if I spent very much time in Brussels! So many yummy foods to sample!
Glad you had another good visit there, Renny.
Happy American Thanksgiving to you and Diane and your family, dear Renny.
Love and hugs,
Diane
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November 23rd, 2009 at 5:23 am
[...] posted here: Blogger from Norway visit Brussels in Belgium Share [...]
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:01 pm
These pictures are wonderful, Renny. Beer and chocolate and a beautiful city–what can go wrong??
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November 23rd, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Beautiful pictures! My husband and I have talked about visiting Brussels and this blog post has convinced me it’s time to move beyond “talk.” I can taste the Stella already…
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November 23rd, 2009 at 4:18 pm
I like how the little boy is always pissing with a different costume on.
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November 23rd, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I really liked wandering around Brussels, the city has so much lovely architecture- and excellent food!
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November 23rd, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Great shots, Renny!! and so sunny! I was only once there and I have a dark, gray memory…!
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November 23rd, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Beautiful post
i was there often
And manneke pis is world famous …… LOL
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November 24th, 2009 at 1:04 am
This brings back some memories! I had to go to Brussels for work and I can remember so well sitting in the square with a hot chocolate, thinking how wonderful it was. It must be even more beautiful when decorated for Christmas.
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November 24th, 2009 at 3:55 am
Great coverage… and now I am homesick !
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November 24th, 2009 at 6:03 am
When I look at these pictures, I realize what I miss here in North America. People walking. In pedestrian streets. Haven’t seen that in a while!
One of my best memories in Brussels was eating at a restaurant which only had one huge table, at which all the customers would sit and chat. Very cool.
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November 24th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Great shots, Renny! Makes me want to rush right over!
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November 24th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
It looks like a photographer’s heaven, and when you can have Stella Artois in addition
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November 24th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Brussels, one of the cities in Europe I wish to visit..thanks for taking me there Renny and sharing these wonderful pictures.
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November 24th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
you seems to have a lot of fun there..
just letting you know that I will be away for a long vacation in my home country for almost three months..I hope I can still have time to update my blogs….yes I will! take care Renny!
ooppsss. have to go to bed now…i’m flying tomorrow early!
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November 24th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
i have to look again to your wonderful travel photos before I totally bid goodbye! hope to visit this next year!
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November 25th, 2009 at 1:40 am
[...] You find the original post here http://www.terella.no/2009/ … | RennyBA [...]
November 25th, 2009 at 6:51 am
What a lovely city! And a lovely report…
I miss the travels so much. I think a vacation would be wonderful, not sure when that will happen again…
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November 25th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Love all the photos Renny! It’s next on my list!
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November 25th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Renny – such lovely photos remind me of our visit to Brussels almost two years ago. It was the kids first trip overseas and I have some great pictures of the children running with their cousin across the square. Thank you for sharing your trip.
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November 25th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Hey Renny,
Brussels is indeed beautiful although it has a heavy energy (in the air – it is probably the heaviest in Europe; I don’t know why).
Belgium Chocolate is dreamy!! I simply love it!
I loved the pics, thanks for having shared your trip with us, man
!
Cheers
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November 26th, 2009 at 12:04 am
Great post on Brussels! You make me want to visit again
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November 26th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
You have a fantastic website. Great shots.
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November 26th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
I’ve visited some of the places you mentioned and just got this hunch feeling I’ll be back in Brussel very very soo n
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November 27th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
The UK took the revenue and Maggie used it for class struggle to beat the unions by funding unemployment. Norway treated it as a shred national resource, the UK auctioned it off to the highest bidder and then frittered away the money.
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November 28th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Great coverage post about Brussel. Earlier I had no special urge to visit Brussel, but lately I’ve begin to change my mind… Of course, I often want to go almost everywhere… *giggles*
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November 29th, 2009 at 12:11 am
Like Oslo, Brüssels begins to become so familiar for me just reading and admiring the blogs about, Gattina and yours. can’t wait the day I will visit this place.
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November 30th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Very impressive architectures. No wonder world languages can be heard on the square. It is worthwhile to have a local guide and know more about those buildings and their stories.
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December 1st, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Wow nice pictures. I like the architectures. Thanks for sharing this one.
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December 1st, 2009 at 10:38 pm
If you loved Brussels, I suggest you to visit http://www.brusselseyes.com that shows you another image of the city, more confidential. this site intends to promote author’s and Brussels is the subject.
Enjoy (but it’s into french)
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December 14th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
[...] post: Blogger from Norway visit Brussels in Belgium By admin | category: Free University of BRUSSELS | tags: education, finance, management, [...]
December 20th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
[...] original post here: Blogger from Norway visit Brussels in Belgium By admin | category: Free University of Brussels | tags: 20th, against-the-catholic, [...]
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Keep up the good work Man!!
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