The great set-piece of Brussels ,s the Grand’ Place which is the city’s first market place and dates from the 12th century. It was destroyed and rebuilt during the 17th century and has been variously described as an ‘architectural jewel’ and the ‘world’s most beautiful parking lot.’ The Town Hall in the Grand’ Place was completed in 1449 and has a collection of Brussels tapestries.
Also in the Grand’ Place are the Maison du Roi and the many Guild Houses which serve as reminders of city’s past. Not far from the Grand Place is the statue of Mannekin-Pis, much loved by the Belgians and the so-called personification of Belgian ribaldry. There are a number of lovely of St Nicholas, Church of Notre-Dame du Sablon, Church of Notre-Dame Aux Riches-Claires, the Church of St John the Baptist ‘au Beguinage,’ the Finistere Church, the Chapel of la Madeleine and St Michael’s Cathedral.
Also worth seeing are the Bourse, the Palais de la Nation, the Place de Brouckere and the Place Royal. The Theatre de la Monnaie is one of the world’s leading opera houses and the Hotel Ravenstein s the last remaining mansion of the Burgundian Court here. Of the museums, one of the best and most justifiably popular is Erasmus’ House (rue de Chapitre 31). The Brueghel Museum (rue Haute 132) isalso well worth a visit.
Other museums include the Musee d’Art Ancien (3 rue de la Regence); the Musical Instruments Museum (17 Place du Petit Sablon) and the Iseles Fine Arts Gallery (71 rue Jean Van Voslem). Outside Brussels it is possible to visit the site of the Battle of Waterloo.
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