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Experience Belgian heritage in Brussels

The city of Brussels is a fascinating city, thriving with life, history, beautiful guild architecture, and offers a “melting pot” culture of Dutch, French, and German heritage as well as those of the city’s migrant population.

The two main languages spoken in Brussels are Dutch and French, however you can easily get away with English in most tourist spots. Brussels culture & heritage tours If you’re looking to really get the cultural and heritage in Brussels, here are some places worth a visit when you’re in Brussels! Stroll around Grote Markt. The Grand Place or Grote Markt is the heart of Brussels’ historic centre, which is relatively small in comparison to other European cities. It is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although the square has been used since the 1300’s, it has been rebuilt various times and today’s version is around 300 years old. Here you can find ornate guild houses unique to this area and important heritage properties to Belgium.

There are over 80 museums in Brussels – but if you’re looking to do a real culture and heritage of Brussels, be sure to consider these spots: Fine Arts.The Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Belgium (Rue de la Régence-Regentschapstraat 3, at Place Royale-Koningsplein) is two museums, the Museum of Historical Art and the Museum of Modern Art, shows off many works from the 14th to 20th century by Belgian artists, including Hans Memling, Hieronymus Bosch, Lucas Cranach, and Pieter Brueghel – important national heritage figures. Musee BELvue (Place des Palais-Paleizenplein 7) is located in a former 18th century luxury heritage hotel and royal residence, and features Belgian history.

The Natural Sciences Museum of Belgium (1000 Rue Vautier-Vautierstraat 29) houses one of Belgium’s natural wonders: a collection iguanodons, dinosaurs discovered in a Belgium coal-mine. Belgian Comics Museums (20 rue des Sables, Zandstraat) is not your average art museum. The Belgian Comic Strip Center, located in an old warehouse, showcases one Belgian art specialty: the comic strip. In fact, the Smurfs and TINTIN comics were created by Belgian artists and is an important part of the city’s heritage experience. Last but not least, one of the most important parts of experiencing local culture and heritage is by trying traditional foods.

In Brussels, there are a number of “must-try” items when you’re in the city. Waffles: From here to Japan, the Belgian waffle is known as a delicious snack or dessert: a thick, rich waffle with any combination of fruits, nuts, chocolate or hazelnut sauce, and a generous dusting of icing sugar. Chocolate: There are a number of specialty chocolate shops, including Neuhaus, Leonidas, or Godiva, that sell Belgian chocolate. You can find over a dozen in the Grote Mark’t area alone – a popular stop for tourists. F

rites: Served with mayonnaise and an array of other special sauces, French fries or “frites” are another Belgian specialty. Moules Frites: Influenced by French cuisine, Brussels is where you can find the best moules frites in the world, prepared in a dozen of ways: curried, Provencal, garlic, baked with cheese, and etc. Here are your best options: Chez Leon (Rue des Bouchers-Beenhouwerstraat 18, near Grote Mark’t or Au Pre Sale (20, Rue de Flandre-Vlaamsesteenweg, near St. Catherine). To discover more of Belgium’s culture and heritage, be sure to visit the cities of Bruges, Ghent, Kortrijk, and Oostende.

Stay When you’re visiting Brussels for your Belgian culture and heritage experience, be sure to consider the Hotel Metropole Brussels (http://www.ghotw.com/metropole) or Hotel Bloom (http://www.hotelbloom.com).