Col GKS Reddy Coins: VISIT TO EUROPE - BELGIUM - BRUSSELS

CHAPPIDI ABHIRATH REDDY
C/O COL GKS REDDY

Secunderabad - 500015

Visit Belgium (20 Sep - 22 Sep 2013)

Belgium

Belgium (

i /ˈ b ɛ l dʒ əm /; Dutch: België; French: Belgique; German: Belgien), officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal monarchy inWestern Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters as well as those of several other major international organisations such as NATO. Belgium covers an area of 30,528 square kilometres (11,787 sq mi), and it has a population of about 11 million people.

Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic and Latin Europe, Belgium is home to two main linguistic groups, the Dutch-speakers (about 59%), mostly Flemish, and the French-speakers (about 41%), mostly Walloons, in addition to a small group of German-speakers. Belgium's two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north and the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia. The Brussels-Capital Region, officially bilingual, is a mostly French-speaking enclave within the Flemish Region. A German-speaking Community exists in eastern Wallonia. Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political conflicts are reflected in the political history and a complex system of government.

Historically, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg were known as the Low Countries, which used to cover a somewhat larger area than the current Benelux group of states. The region was called Belgica in Latin because of the Roman province Gallia Belgica which covered more or less the same area. From the end of the Middle Ages until the 17th century, it was a prosperous centre of commerce and culture. From the 16th century until the Belgian Revolution in 1830, when Belgium seceded from the Netherlands, many battles between European powers were fought in the area of Belgium, causing it to be dubbed the "Battlefield of Europe,"[10] a reputation strengthened by both World Wars.

Upon its independence, Belgium participated in the Industrial Revolution and, during the course of the 20th century, possessed a number ofcolonies in Africa.] The second half of the 20th century was marked by the rise of contrasts between the Flemish and the Francophones fuelled by differences of language and the unequal economic development of Flanders and Wallonia. This continuing antagonism has caused far-reaching reforms, changing the formerly unitary Belgian state into a federal state, and several governmental crises, the most recent, from 2007 to 2011, being the longest.

After four days tour of Paris FROM 07 Sep to 10 Sep 2013, we thought it would be better to combine the tour of 2 or 3 European countries, to save time and travel expenses, hence we planned a combined tour of 10 days duration to Belgium, Holland and Switzerland from 20 Sep to 29 Sep 2013.

We started from St Francas International Railway Station by Eurostar at 0730 h on 20 Sep 2013 and reached Brusseles Midi / Zuid International Railway Station at 1100 h. From Brusseles International Zuid, Station we shifted to the Domestic Section and took a train to Bruges (Local name - Brugge), which was about one hour Journey. Reached Bruges at 1215 h. We reached back to Brussels on 21 Sep 2013 night at 2200h, after having visited Bruges and Flanders Battle Fields. We checked into Novotel Hotel, near Brussels Central Railway Station

On Arrival at Brusseles International Zuid Railway Station

Visit Brussels - 22 Sep 2013

Brussels

Brussels (French: Bruxelles, [bʁysɛl] ( listen); Dutch: Brussel, [ˈbrʏsəɫ] ( listen)), officially the Brussels-Capital Region (French: Région de Bruxelles-Capitale, Dutch: Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest), is the capital of Belgium and de facto the capital of the European Union (EU). It is also the largest urban area in Belgium, comprising 19 municipalities, including the municipality of the City of Brussels, which is the de jurecapital of Belgium, in addition to the seat of the French Community of Belgium and of the Flemish Community.

Brussels has grown from a 10th-century fortress town founded by a descendant of Charlemagne to a sizeable city. The city has a population of 1.2 million and a metropolitan area with a population of over 1.8 million, both of them the largest in Belgium.

Since the end of theSecond World War, Brussels has been a principal centre for international politics. Hosting principal EU institutions and the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the city has become the polyglot home of numerous international organisations, politicians, diplomats and civil servants.

Historically Dutch-speaking, Brussels has seen a major shift to French since Belgian independence in 1830. Today, although the majority language is French, the city is officially bilingual. All road signs, street names, and many advertisements and services are shown in both languages. Linguistic tensions remain and the language laws regarding some municipalities surrounding Brussels are an issue of considerable controversy in Belgium.

After visiting the Belgian Parliament Building, we went for Lunch and after Lunch, we went back to the Royal Square, Brussels, to continue the sight seeing

The Royal Square Brussels

The royal square lies at the Koudenberg/Coudenberg, a natural hill at the edge of the medieval city center. Here, the duke of Brabant had a castle built in the 11th century. His successors left the city of Leuven, which had been the old capital of the dukedom and chose the castle in Brussels as their permanent residence. In the course of the following centuries, the dukes of Burgundy and, later, the Habsburg kings and emperors all adapted the castle to their needs and wishes.

In 1769 it was decided between the town authorities of Brussels and the court in Vienna (empress Maria-Theresa) that the former Balienplein should be rebuild in the then fashionable neo-classical style, the style of the age of enlightenment. Other European cities, such as Paris, Nancy and Reims, already hadsquares in that style. It reflected the new ideas of the French philosophers Descartes and Voltaire. They preferred cities to be urbanized according to plans and rules, rather than according to the illogical and whimsical construction methods of the Middle Ages.

Until then Brussels had been basically a typical medieval city with winding streets and little alleys. The construction of the new royal square was a breech with this tradition and already announced the bigger transformations that would take place in the city during the reign of king Leopold II in the 19th century. Noble families bought part of the square to build their new "hôtels" on, however, according to strict architectural rules to preserve the unity of style. The new abbot of the St. James church also agreed to build a new church and two houses in exchange for his appointment as abbot and member of the Council of Brabant. This church, built in neo-classical style, was later crowned with a little tower which does not really fit in with the style of the rest of the building.

A view of St Jacob's Church and statue of Godfry of Bouillon, leader of the first crusade in 1096. This statue was placed here in 1843 when the new state of Belgium

wanted to legitimize its historic roots

A closeup of the statue of Godfry of Bouillon, leader of the first crusade in 1096.

A closeup of the Inscription on the Base of Statue

St Jacob’s Church – Royal Square Brussels

The medieval abbey church that originally stood on this location was demolished by command of Charles Alexander of Lorraine during his expansive urban planning projects, despite having escaped the great fire of 1731 that destroyed the nearby Coudenberg Palace. The new church was built in line with rue Montagne de la Cour/Hofberg on its present location at the Place Royale. Construction of the facade was started by architect Gilles-Barnabé Guimard after the designs of Jean-Benoît-Vincent Barré (1775). The first stone was solemnly laid by Charles Alexander of Lorraine on the 12th of February 1776. The portico was finished in 1780. The nave, transept, choir and sacristy were built under supervision ofLouis Montoyer in the years 1785-1786. After the consecration of the building it was in use as abbey- and parishchurch at the same time. Moreover it was the official church of the court of the Governors of the Habsburg Netherlands. The present building was designed to serve as the Church of the Abbey of Saint-Jacques on the Coudenberg and therefore has a deep extended choir with place for choir stalls for the monks.

A Clear view of St Jacob's Church, The Royal Square

The Court of Justice, ( Conical Building ) as seen from the Royal Square

A closer view of the Court of Justice

Cour Des Comptes (The Court of Auditors)

The Court of Auditors is an administrative court in Belgium , mainly in charge of judging the legality of public accounts , control the use of public funds by the officers, public companies, or even private organizations receiving assistance from the State and finally to inform Parliament, the Government and the public opinion on the compliance of accounts. Its controls related expenditures and revenues of the federal, community and regional governments, as well as the permanent deputations from the provinces.

Established by Article 180 of the Belgian Constitution , the court is a collateral branch of the Belgian Federal Parliament . It has an external control over budgetary, accounting and financial operations of the Federal State, the Communities, Regions, public interest organizations that depend, as well as provinces. Control joint is not within its jurisdiction.

The Court of Auditors, Royal Square, Brussels

The Plaque at the Entrance of The Court of Auditors

The Arts Museum, The Royal Square Brussels

Another view of Arts Museum Brussels

The Church of Our Lady of Laeken

The Church of Our Lady of Laeken (French: Église Notre-Dame de Laeken; Dutch: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk van Laken) is a neo-Gothic Roman Catholic church in Laeken, Brussels. It was originally built in memory of Queen Louise-Marie, wife of King Leopold I to the design of architect Joseph Poelaert.

Louise-Marie died in Ostend in 1850 and wished to be buried in Laeken. The nearby Royal Castle of Laeken was, and still is, the royal residence. Leopold I wished the church to be constructed in her memory and as a mausoleum for her.

The young architect Joseph Poelaert was chosen to design the new church. (He later became best known for the Law Courts of Brussels.)

Long Shot of The Church of Our Lady of Laeken (Church of Notre Dame) Brussels

A closer view of the Church of Our Lady of Laeken, Brussels

A full view of the Church of Our Lady of Laeken, Brussels

Another view of the Beautiful Church of Our Lady of Laeken, Brussels

Mont Des Arts – Brussels

Mont Des Arts / The SQUARE Brussels is housed in the extensive former Palais des Congrés, an elegant building of great architectural interest, originally constructed for the Expo 58, also known as the Brussels World’s Fair. Many of the original features, including extensive murals by Paul Delvaux, René Magritte and Louis van Lint, have been carefully restored and are now juxtaposed with contemporary design by a team of leading European designers.

The Main Entry Gate of Mont Des Arts Complex, Brussels

Another view of the Main Entry Gate of Mont Des Atrs, Brussels

An Artistic Clock on the Inner Face of the Main Entry Gate to Mont Des Atrs, Brussels

A closeup of the Artistic Clock on the Inner Face of the Main Entry Gate

The Grand Square / Grand Place

The Grand Place (French, pronounced: [ɡʁɑ̃ plas]; also used in English [1]) or Grote Markt (Dutch, listen (help·info) pronounced [ɣro.tə mɑrkt]) is the central square of Brussels. It is surrounded by guildhalls, the city's Town Hall, and the Breadhouse (French: Maison du Roi, Dutch: Broodhuis). The square is the most important tourist destination and most memorable landmark in Brussels. It measures 68 by 110 metres (223 by 360 ft), and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Guild Houses Representing Various Trade Associations

Brussels Town Hall

The Town Hall (French: Hôtel de Ville, Dutch: Stadhuis (help·info)) of the City of Brussels is a Gothic building from the Middle Ages. It is located on the famous Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium.

The City Hall of Brussels is a masterpiece of the Gothic civil architecture of the 15th century. The wealth inside also makes it one of the most luxurious city halls of the country. It possesses an important artistic and historic heritage (paintings, sculptures, tapestries).

Inside the City Hall various styles and time periods mix. The reconstruction by the States of Brabant left us a row of luxurious rooms in the style of Louis XIV at the beginning of the 18th century. Some are used for the meetings of the College and the City Council today.

The 96 metre (310 ft) high tower in Brabantine Gothic style emerged from the plans of Jan van Ruysbroek, the court architect of Philip the Good. By 1455 this tower had replaced the older belfry. Above the roof of the Town Hall, the square tower body narrows to a lavishly pinnacled octagonal openwork. Atop the spire stands a 5-metre-high gilt metal statue of the archangel Michael, patron saint of Brussels, slaying a dragon or devil.

The Beautiful Town Hall of Brussels, located at the Grand Square

Another view of the Town Hall, Brussels

A Full View of the Town Hall less the Tower

Another Close View of the Town Hall

The King’s House – Grand Square

At the Market Place, opposite theTown Hall, stands another of the remarkable historical Buildings of Brussels. The beautiful neo-gothic building with its many decorative statues is the "Maison du Roi" in French or "Broodhuis" in Dutch. It now harbours the historical City Museum.

The Dutch name "Broodhuis" (i.e. bread house) clearly shows what the origins of this building were. In the beginning of the 13th century a wooden construction stood here. It was used by the bakers to sell their bread. In 1405 a stone building replaced the original wooden bread hall. When during the early 15th century the bakers turned to selling their products from house to house, the ancient bread hall began to be used more and morefor administrative purposes by the Duke of Brabant, hence the French name "Maison du Roi".

The King's House in The Grand Square

A Beautiful Guild House next to the King's House in the Grand Square

A Full View of the Same Guild House

A closeup of the Central Dome and the Statue on Top of the same Guild House

Another Guild House, Now being used as a Restaurant

A closeup of the Plaque in front of the Kelderke Restaurant

A Full iew of the Kelderke Restaurant, Grand Square Brussels

Manneken Pis

Manneken Pis (help·info) [ˌmɑnəkə(m) ˈpɪs] (literally Little Man Pee in Marols, a Dutch dialect spoken in Brussels, also known in French as le Petit Julien), is a famous Brussels landmark. It is a small bronze fountain sculpture depicting a naked little boy urinating into the fountain's basin. It was designed by Hiëronymus Duquesnoy the Elder and put in place in 1618 or 1619.

The famous statue is located at the junction of Rue de l'Étuve/Stoofstraat and Rue du Chêne/Eikstraat. To find it, one takes the left lane next to theBrussels Town Hall from the famous Grand Place and walks a few hundred metres southwest via Rue Charles Buls/Karel Bulsstraat.