Belgium attracts a large number of tourists with its many attractions, historical and cultural monuments located in all cities of the country. Here in every corner you can see something interesting. Despite the fact that in Belgium there are no sultry beaches, magnificent pyramids, deep canyons and snow-capped mountains, thousands of people are eager to come here and feel the discreet inner beauty of this corner of our world.
The capital of ancient Brabant. Brussels
What to see first of all in such a mysterious country as Belgium? Brussels, whose sights are unique, is the political and cultural center of the country. It is with him that it is recommended to begin acquaintance with Belgium. The city is divided into a new part and an old one, which the inhabitants of this area call the “Pentagon” because of the circular boulevard built on the spot where the old defenses were previously located. The largest square of the capital is the Grand Place, where the attention is attracted by the old town hall, on the weather vane of which is depicted St. Michael defeating the dragon. Not far from the square is the famous Mannequin Peace fountain, which is considered the hallmark of the city. Nearby stands the Palace of Nations (Parliament).
Continuing to explore the sights of Belgium, it is impossible not to mention the Royal Galleries. This complex is one of the most famous in the world. St. Michael's Cathedral, which was built in the 13-16th centuries, as well as the Palace of Academies and the Royal Palace, located in the "Classic Quarter", are no less popular among city guests. Here you can see a magnificent building - the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary. Not far rises the majestic Kokelberg Basilica Secre Coeur.
Museum Square will delight guests of the city with a huge number of museums. Here stands the magnificent palace of Karl of Lorraine, next to which is the illuminated well "Failure". One cannot fail to see such a magnificent structure as the Gothic church of Notre-Dame-de-Victoire-du-Sablon, built in the 16th century.
Museums in Anderlecht
To see other sights of Belgium, you should move to Anderlecht, where the Erasmus of Rotterdam Museum deserves the most attention . Nearby you can see Birsel Castle, built in the 14th century, and the royal castle of Haasbek. In the building of the Royal Palace is the Municipal Museum and the Royal Museum of the Army and its history. Among the most interesting places in the city, one can still single out the Automobile Museum.
Antwerp
The cities of Belgium are so diverse, they all deserve attention! Therefore, the next in our acquaintance with the country will be Antwerp, which is the largest world center for diamond cutting. In addition, a huge number of cultural and antiquities are concentrated here, among which, for example, the Museum of Jewelry. Among the most beautiful architectural buildings, one should highlight the Cathedral of Our Lady and the fortress of Sten, which is considered the oldest building in the city. It is recommended to visit the first skyscraper in Belgium - the Borenbond tower. The city has a huge number of different museums, each of which deserves a visit. One cannot fail to note such a structure as the Borgerhout town hall, on which 47 bells are placed.
Interesting places in Lear
Continuing to consider the sights of Belgium, we turn our attention to the city of Lear. This locality gained fame thanks to the Simmer Tower, which was once part of the city wall. Currently, it has been turned into an astronomical clock, which is a dial with time, around which there are 12 small dials showing the lunar and solar calendar, zodiac signs, time of year, day of the week and the like. The statues of the city's kings and burgomaster ring every hour in the bell located on the right side of the tower. Inside the building is a planetarium. In addition to the astronomical clock in the city, a luxurious town hall built in the Rococo style deserves attention. On the central square of Lear stands the Collegiate Church, dedicated to the patron saint of the city. Her building was built in the style of Brabant Gothic. One of the most beautiful in the country is the Beginazhek monastery, founded in the 13th century.
Ghent - the city of ancient buildings
Belgium, photos of the sights of which reflect the beauty of this country, is famous for the village, which can rightly be called the city of ancient buildings. This is the capital of East Flanders - Ghent, in which there are many structures of ancient architecture of the country. Most of them are concentrated in the historical part of the city. St. Michael's Bridge through the watchtower and the Canal Lis is considered a symbol of the city. It is from this place that you should start exploring Ghent. Whatever corner of the city you go to, everywhere you can meet a whole string of attractive buildings. This is the church of St. Nicholas, and the magnificent castles of Gerard the Devil and Count Philip, built in the 12th century. One of the magnificent buildings is the palace of Van der Merce, erected in the 18th century. Of interest to many tourists are Van Eyck murals in the Cathedral of St. Bavon. An interesting visit to the Abbey of St. Peter, located on the slopes of Blandeinberg.
Bruges - Medieval Shopping Center
This is not all Belgium. Ghent, the sights of which we have already examined, is not the only city in which almost every building deserves attention. Another excellent place to visit is Brugge. One of the most attractive structures is the watch tower, whose height is 83 meters. It was built in the period of 13-15 centuries. No less interesting building of the 12-13th centuries is the Cathedral of St. Salvator, in the building of which the Cathedral Museum is located. Another building that is recommended to be inspected is the Gothic Church of Our Lady, whose height is 122 meters. Its construction was carried out in the 14th century. No less beautiful are the churches of St. Anne, St. James, the Church of Jerusalem and the Church of St. Walpurgia. In addition, the city has 80 magnificent bridges stretching over the picturesque canals.
Hot City Liege
Looking at the sights of Belgium, it is impossible not to mention Liège, which is one of the ancient cities of Wallonia. It is recommended to visit the palace of the bishop princes. The city has many interesting museums. Among the architectural structures, the town hall deserves attention. An ancient symbol of the city’s independence is a fountain with four columns, on which lion statues are placed. It is built on the market square of Marche. Interesting to explore is the church of St. Antoine, as well as the old monastery of Frere-Miner, where there are baptismal fonts with scenes from the Bible. On St. Paul’s Square, the majestic Cathedral rises, next to which the statue of the Delcourt Virgin attracts attention.
Beethoven's homeland - Mechelen
What else can Belgium surprise its guests with? The sights, photos of which are presented above, can be supplemented with interesting places and buildings of the city of Mechelen, which is the birthplace of Beethoven. One of the oldest buildings is considered Schepenhuis (built in 1374). It will be interesting to visit the palace of Margarita of Austria, which now houses the palace of Justice. Among other buildings, it is worth highlighting the Margarita of York Palace, where the theater is currently located.
The sights of Belgium do not end there. There are many more cities where interesting buildings, structures, monuments and museums are located. Each of them deserves special attention.