Brussels & Bruges
BRUSSELS
Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is a cosmopolitan city that blends history with modernity. It's the most densely populated region in Belgium with a population of over 1.2 million. Brussels grew from a small rural settlement on the banks of the River Senne.
Since the end of World War II, it has been an important center of international politics and the headquarters of numerous international organizations. Brussels is the de facto capital of the European Union, hosting several key EU institutions. The Benelux Secretariat and the NATO headquarters are also located in Brussels. It serves as a national and international hub for rail, road, and air traffic.
Brussels is renowned for its gastronomy and culinary offerings (local waffles, chocolate, fries, and diverse beer types). It's the capital of comic strips. According to local legend, the settlement originated from the construction of a chapel on the banks of the Senne River around 580. Since 1000, it has been an important trade route between Bruges and Ghent, and Cologne.
Our itinerary includes visiting the Vossenplein (Flea Market), the Palace of Justice (beautiful city view), the chic Louise Avenue, Petit Sablon, Grand Sablon (chocolates), the Fine Arts Museum, Royal Square, Royal Palace (Coudenberg), Mont des Arts, Royal Library, Putterie, St. Hubert's Gallery, St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, and more. Additionally, the Bouchers Street, Delirium Café, and, of course, the iconic and beautiful Grand Place (Town Hall) and the Manneken Pis statue. If time allows, we'll also visit the Atomium!
BRUGES
Bruges is the capital of the province of West Flanders - it has 117,000 inhabitants and dates back to the 5th century!
The Romans were in Bruges, establishing fortifications during that time. There was already trade with England. It was granted city status in 1128, and by 1277, it was the main connection to Mediterranean trade. Bruges had a branch in Genoa, and thus, in 1309, the stock exchange was established.
Philip the Good came to live in Bruges, attracting many to the city. In 1500, the canal became obstructed by silt, and Antwerp became the most important port. In 1650, Charles II of England was exiled here, and the city gained even more infrastructure.
We'll visit the Grote Markt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 'Bruges' in Celtic means 'waters' - 'Reie' is a Celtic word. Bruges' golden age was in the 14th century when 46,000 inhabitants lived there. In the subsequent centuries, it seems Bruges fell from favor, enduring various rulers. By the mid-18th century, it became a tourist city and the setting for many books and films by English authors.
The historic center is Gothic and neo-Gothic and attracts 1 million visitors per year
ANTWERP - Antwerpen
Located in Belgium in the north, bordering the Netherlands. Belgium has 10 provinces and Antwerp/Flanders is the most important and the second largest city in Belgium. Antwerp is located on the banks of the Scheldt River and is, after Rotterdam, the largest port in Europe.
The word - ANTWERP - comes from Celtic and means - he who lives on both banks of the river (Terpen). But also, according to Roman legend, "handwerpen" is the hand of the giant thrown into the river (werpen) in Dutch, which is the language spoken in Antwerp.
History
The Calvinism of the Low Countries and the war against King Philip II of Spain unfolded from Antwerp and ruined the business of the then already famous port of Antwerp. The Spaniards, fervent Catholics, enraged against the Calvinist Protestants, attacked the city in 1576 and killed 7,000 people.
This became known in the Netherlands and Belgium as the "Spanish Fury" and resulted in a large migration of very wealthy merchants to the Netherlands, Amsterdam, and was the basis for the enrichment of the Netherlands culminating in its Golden Age, the 17th century.
Culturally, Antwerp continued to be very important, with its important artists such as Rubens, a Baroque painter, and the painter Van Dijk.
Some attractions in Antwerp are:
the medieval castle - Het Steen
the Meir, a shopping avenue
the Groenplaats.
The Grote Markt, which is the main square and dates back to 1165 when Belgium still belonged to France and the Burgundians. This square has beautiful Renaissance houses and includes the beautiful town hall and in the center, the statue of Silvio Brabo, the one who according to legend killed the giant!
Right next door is the Cathedral of Our Lady, which is located on the Groenplaats and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was once the tallest tower in Belgium.
The Rubens House is also an attraction and is located on Wapperstraat.
The diamond district on Keyserlei is also an attraction.
