A small country in western Europe with a population of over 10 million having a high density of almost 900 persons per square mile. The population is divided in two main ethnic groups, Fleming 58% and Waloon 31%. Dutch and others form the rest. The Belgians speak French, German and Flemish and there are newspapers and theater shows in all these languages.

The symbol of Brussels is a small bronze statue of a pissing boy. His cloths change many times. (perhaps he is wetting himself) He has more than 500 outfits preserved in a Museum. It appears that the statue was erected in the 8th century. Brussels have more than a million inhabitants and is a very nice city.

TOWN HALL

CITY MUSEUM

GUILD HOUSES

HOUSE OF THE DUKES OF BRABANTBREWERS MUSEUM

The grand place is considered by many one of the most beautiful squares in the world. It is surrounded on each side by very ornate baroque buildings. Access to the plaza is by narrow streets and once in, the view is overwhelming.

(BIG SQUARE)

GRAND PLACE GUILD HOUSES

GRAND PLACE

GUILD HOUSES

CITY HALL The most beautiful and ornate building in the Grand Place was constructed in 1402

The City Hall building has hundreds of sculptures, each one different.

The original building name was KING'S HOUSE and was rebuilt in the 16th century

House of the Dukes of Brabant 1698

Theatre de la Monnaie National Opera 17th Century

Royal Palace 1820 (The king's real residence)

Bourse-Stock Exchange 1873

Stock Exchange Back view

It appears that the streetcar goes inside the church!

Eglise St-Jaques-Sur-Coudenbourg (unusual building for a church)

Duke Godefroid Leader of the first Crusade

Arc de Triomphe 1905

Botanical Garden and Conservatory.

ALLEY NAME

PARK LEOPOLD

Shopping Gallery and Cupola ceiling

Brussels is well-known for its fine lace

products.

EUROPEEN COMISSION HEADQUATERS

Office Buildings

Museum of Art

RAILING DETAIL

Some of the art objects that caught my eye.

The curtain is the painting

Military museum

Brussels has a lot of interesting statues.

Brussels Airport You can sit on crystal stools!

I hope you enjoyed this presentation. If you have any comments please send them to Dan Calistrat at dcalistrat@aol.com Next: other Belgian cities.