Royal Museum of Fine Art, Antwerp
The Royal Museum of Fine Art in Antwerp houses a vast collection
of paintings from the 14th century onwards. These include Antwerp’s
most significant painters - Rubens, Van Dijck and Jordaens. Apart
from the superb art collection, the neoclassical architecture of the
museum is magnificent. Built as a ‘temple to fine art’ for the 1894
Antwerp World Exposition, the building is decorated with Corinthian
columns and two large bronze hoses.
Website: Royal Museum of Fine Art
Waterloo
The battle of Waterloo on June 18th, 1815 ended the Napoleonic
Wars. Napoleon I was defeated by the Duke of Wellington.
Immortalised by Victor Hugo in "morne plaine” as well as by ABBA in
their 1974 hit, the site is now a very popular tourist attraction.
There is plenty of battle paraphernalia to visit including the Lion
of Waterloo victory monument (Butte du Lion), a huge man-made hill
topped by a 28-ton lion. For those energetic enough to climb the
more than 200 steps, the lion provides a commanding view of the
site. Visit the battlefield site, the H.Q. of Wellington and
Napoleon, the Column of Victor Hugo and the Wellington Museum for an
audio-visual reconstruction of the battle.
Website: Waterloo
The Groeninge Museum, Flanders
The Groeninge Museum houses an extensive display of six centuries
of Flemish, Dutch and Belgian paintings. The museum's many
exhibitions include the world-famous collection of 'Flemish
Primitive' art, works by an array of Renaissance and Baroque
masters, a collection of paintings from the 18th and 19th-century
Neo-classical and Realist periods, milestones of Belgian Symbolism
and Modernism, masterpieces of Flemish Expressionism and many pieces
from the city's collection of post-war modern art.
Website: Groeninge Museum
The Ypres War Memorials and the Flanders Battlefields
The town of Ypres is synonymous with the First World War.
Scattered throughout the surrounding countryside are silent
memorials to the dead of the 1st World War. Visit the authentic
trenches in Sanctuary Wood, the life-sized reconstructions of scenes
from the War in the Hooge Crater Museum and the bunker of John
McCrae where he wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields", etc. The most
moving sites include the 170 British military cemeteries located
around Ypres. The Tyne Cot cemetery alone has nearly 12, 000 graves
of soldiers from around the world, many unidentified.
Website: Flanders
Tongeren
Tongeren is the oldest town in Belgium. Originally a major Roman
stronghold, the town was destroyed twice. Once by the 4th century
Norsemen and then by the Salian Franks in 881. The Gallo Roman
Museum in the town centre, which is built on the remains of a large
luxury Roman villa, provides an amazing insight into the town and
its history and culture. The remains of a 4th century Roman tower
can also be visited. One of the most remarkable monuments of
Tongeren is Our Lady’s Basilica with its majestic 64-metre-high bell
tower. This marvelous Gothic church has a long history, since its
first stone was laid in 1240. Also worth checking out are the Church
of Notre Dame with its Romanesque cloisters, the town’s Roman walls
and its many houses dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. There
is also a great weekly Sunday flea market.
Website: Tongeren
Gravensteen Castle, Ghent
Belgium has over 3,000 castles, about 300 of which are open to
the public. Gravensteen is one of the best-known and most popular.
Also known as the Castle of the Counts, it is one of the strongest
moated fortresses in Europe. Built between 1180 and 1200, it is
beautifully situated, surrounded by the river Lieve. Gravensteen was
used as a military base for many years, until the 14th century when
it served many official functions such as the town’s mint, a court,
a prison and a cotton mill! Check out the castle’s crypt, its
underground dungeon and its instruments of torture. Not for the
faint hearted!
The castle is open from 9am to 6pm April to September and from 9am to 6pm October to March. Phone (32) 9 269 37 30 or fax (32) 9 269 37 55.
The Town of Spa
The town of Spa has been known since Roman times for its baths.
It became so prominent the very word "spa" became synonymous with "a
place to be restored and pampered" in the English language. Since
the 16th century, the rich, royal and famous have come to Spa to be
refreshed and rejuvenated by the curative powers of the region's
waters and baths. The writer Victor Hugo was a great advocate of
Spa's waters. Today you can still relax or seek cures in the waters
of the town, in the Pouhon Pierre-le-Grand Spa (named after Peter
the Great) or the Spa Monopole to name but a few. If you are not
interested in relaxing in its fine waters, Spa also offers beautiful
architecture and unrivalled historic charm.
Website: Spa
Bruges (Brugge)
Bruges is often referred to as the "Venice of the North" due to
its network of canals and the 50 bridges which span them. In the
13th to the 15th centuries it was one of the most important centres
of trade in Northern Europe. Today it is a living history book due
to its well-preserved medieval architecture and attractions which
span the centuries. Bruges is one of the most exciting and romantic
tourist attractions in Europe and offers plenty to see and do. Visit
its superb museums and churches, wander its narrow cobblestone
streets or take a boat trip along its canals.
The Diamond Museum, Antwerp
Antwerp has long been the world centre of diamond processing and
the diamond trade. The famous ‘Antwerp cut’ and the advanced
scientific research are documented in this fascinating museum. It
traces the production process from mining to the dazzling finished
product. There is a reconstructed nineteenth-century diamond and a
treasure chamber in which to view some priceless pieces of
jewellery. Each Saturday afternoon you can watch a diamond-cutter at
work.
Brussels
Have a look at our top ten things to do while in
Brussels.
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