Brussels Belgium

Today we explored the city of Brussels and what a city it is.

This is the Palais de Justice the most important court building in Belgium. Built between 1866 and 1883.

The Conservatorium of Music.

Notre Dame du Sablon.

La Petite Sabon park.

In Egmont Palais Park we found this beautiful Peter Pan Sculpture with the animals and faerys.

The way you move when you live in a unit in Europe - through the window.

Rekenhof.

The Royal Museum.

I just loved this building with its wonderful attic windows.

The Royal Palace was built on the former Palace of the Dukes of Brabant which was destroyed by fire in 1731. Started in 1820 under the reign of King William, it was modified in 1904 under Leopold II, who had it rebuilt in Louis XVI style.

This palace was absolutely the most wonderful building that left us totally overwhelmed.

These sculptures where in the Palace Park.

We saw the National Basilique of Belgium at the end of street we were on and decided to walk and have a look as it looked so impressive. Five kilometres later we made it and staggered up the stairs to the church which is mandatory for any church in Europe. We learnt the hard way how close something that is really large can look.

Situated in the suburb of Koekelberg. It was built to remember the 75th anniversary of the Belgium independence.

I have no idea what the Drug Opera is or does but it really had me interested.

Cathedral St Gudule and St Michael building started in 1226 whilst the facade dates from the 15th century.

Rebuilt in 1700 Brussels Grand Place (Main Square) has no fewer than 40 listed buildings standing either side of the majestic Hotel de Ville (Town Hall) and the Maison du Roi (Kings House).

Hotel de Ville

Museum of the City of Brussels

Manneken Pis - He has been given numerous costumes and decorations and his wardrobe now comprises some 760 items. The first costume was given to him by the Elector of Bavaria in 1698. In 1817 the statuette was stolen for the 2nd time, this time by a reprieved french convict, and was found broken in pieces. The fragments were used to make the statuette which you can see today on the old fountain.