Happy Blogiversary to Our Infinity! Our blog turned 1 year old today and to celebrate this happy occasion we are hosting an international giveaway especially for the ladies(sorry men!) on L’s beauty blog, so head over and get winning.
Brussels is a multicultural medieval city that has a lot to offer to culture lovers. Beautiful art-nouveau houses and Baroque-style buildings dot the cobbled lanes of this city. A quick weekend getaway isn’t enough to explore this fabled capital. Grand-Place (Grote Markt) which is at the heart of the city is where all the action happens.
This square has ornate Gothic and Baroque-style buildings dating back to the 15th century. As you walk through the place, it feels as if you’re in a different time period. To escape the heaving crowds, you can climb up the Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville) to enjoy a panoramic view of the square. From music concerts to weddings, Grand-Place is always bustling with activity. We saw a couple get married there – possibly the most romantic way to tie the knot.
Next, we headed to see the famous Manneken Pis – a fountain-statue of a little boy urinating into a basin. Sculptor Hieronimus Duquesnoy the Elder designed the bronze statue in 1619 and there are many stories behind the statue (read it here). The statue is dressed in different costumes all throughout the year, most of which is displayed at the Maison du Roi. I highly recommend visiting these places in the night to beat the crowds.
After indulging in waffles and Belgian chocolates, we sauntered through Rue Charles Buls to buy some souvenirs and chocolates. Since we had a packed schedule, we didn’t get to go inside the Royal Palace (Palais Royal). It’s one of the most opulent buildings with magnificent architecture. They open certain parts of the palace to visitors every summer. Our final stop was the world-famous Atomium, a giant model of an oxygen molecule, built for the 1958 World Fair. The Atomium offers the most breathtaking view of the city, but be prepared to stand in queues for long hours which is why 24 hours in Brussels is just not sufficient.