Brussels Town Hall - Belgium

Known as one of the smallest countries of Europe, Belgium can be considered as the capital of Europe being home to the highest concentration of European Union and NATO authorities. Every year this little country is visited by about 5 million tourists, however, even more people visit Belgium to do business.

Belgium is situated by the North Sea. It shares borders with France, Luxembourg, Germany and Holland. Belgium has 3 main geographical regions: the coastal plain with sand dunes and reclaimed areas of land called dikes. The central plateau is further inland where you can find fertile valleys, caves and small gorges. The third region is the Ardennes Mountains where much of Belgium’s wildlife can be found. The climate of Belgium has a moderate climate on the marine west coast but it changes into a harsher climate  in the highest parts of the Ardennes.

In ancient times the area of Belgium was inhabited by Celts, and since the 2^nd BC by the Belgae tribes, being the mix of Germanic and Celtic peoples. In 57 BC after the Roman conquest it was incorporated into Gaul and since 486 was intensely Romanized. The name Belgium is derived from Gallia Belgica, a Roman province in the northernmost part of Gaul. In the 3^rd century it was invaded by Franks and Frisians. In the Northern part the Germanic element (Flemish language) won advantage but in the South the French-speakers won. From the end of the 5^th century until the 9^th century, Belgium was included in the Carolingan part of the Franks country.  Belgium won its independence in 1830, and from 1831 it was known as a constitutional monarchy. The population of Belgium was divided between the Flemish and the Walloons.

Being the political centre of modern Europe Belgium is considered a very cosmopolitan country and culturally diverse, one can hear the music of these many languages while walking the streets of Belgium. Belgian people can create an unique mixture of the old and  new, traditional with fashionable, high culture with pop culture. This is how Belgian cities appear to visitors. The cities are full of history,  historic buildings, fascinating museums and top quality hotels and restaurants. Amongst all this history and culture, by night flourishes a thriving night life and by day thousands of businessmen and officials decide about the politics and finances of Europe.

The capital of Belgium is Brussels. Nine cities were recognized as ‘museum cities’, Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, Mechelen, Brussels, Leuven, Tongeren, Liege, Tournai, thanks to the concentration of monuments. There are many places worth visiting.

Ghent has a very rich history, as it was the biggest city of Western Europe in 13^th and 14^th century. There is stunning architecture, museums and galleries. Worth visiting is the Cathedral of Saint Bavo where you can see precious works of art such as the gothic alter painted by Hubert and John van Eyck.

Bruges has the most amazing collection of Flemish art. There are many historical bridges, which gave the impression that Flemish merchants were here just a moment before. Worth seeing is also the Church of the Holy Mother with the highest tower in Belgium.

In Brussels one should visit the gothic Grand Place and Manneken Pis, a well known sculpture of a peeing boy.

Belgium is also famous for its number of castles, which vary from great fortresses to residences. The most attractive ones are found in Wallonia.

Gallery - Monuments of Belgium