Our first stop in Brussels: The AtomiumBuilt for the 1958 World Expo, the Atomium represents a single iron crystal unit. The steel spheres, meant to be used as exhibition spaces, are connected by the long passageway tubes.
Additional supports had to be built as the original design was deemed too unstable. Apparently, with the original design, the entire structure would have easily toppled under strong winds (!?!)
I can see the headlines now - "Giant Atomic Structure Rolls through Europe. Thousands Dead".
The Atomium may very well be the strangest building I've ever seen (possibly only rivaled by that pants building in China), but its design would be well suited as a superhero's headquarters. Captain Atom? Or would that be too on-the-nose?
Chinese PavilionThis amazing looking building was built in the early 1900s for King Leopold II. Very interesting to see Chinoiserie on such a grand scale.
As far as I could see through the bus windows, the details are quite exquisite. And none of that comical faux Chinese characters commonly found on western tattoos. The front doors were adorned with an authentic Chinese couplet. Very very impressive.
It used to be part of Brussels' Museums of the Far East but is currently closed for renovation.
Royal Palace
Sad-looking statues ... who are in drastic need of a scrub.
Random churches during the bus ride to the hotel.
When I first encountered this fountain, I thought for sure it must be Tintin-related. After all, this was Brussels, Tintin's birthplace. The old man certainly looked like a Tintin character, and finally, the Snowy-esque dog.But no, the fountain actually commemorates a dog-loving mayor of Brussels who did something or another to warrant such a great statue-fountain. (His name was Karel Buls, if you were interested).
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
Beautiful shopping arcade full of cafes and luxury chocolate shops.
So decadent - even the street lamps have little crowns.
Grand Place - Brussels' city square
The square is best known for the surrounding guildhouses, most of which have their own unique identifier, such as "The Star", "The Wheelbarrow", "The Cornucopia", "The Fox", etc... In some cases, the house facade corresponds to the guild trade.
The timing of our visit was unfortunate as the most opulent guildhouses were under renovation. But the city was at least considerate enough to have covered the construction with life-size images of the houses.
Manneken Pis
The famous statue of a boy peeing. There are several versions of the statue's origin story but the common thread seems to be a boy saving the city by urinating on a fire/bomb fuse/army.The statue frequently changes costumes and there is even a museum dedicated to its vast wardrobe. I guess it was denim day.
According to the internet, a urinating girl statue ("Jeanneke Pis") also exist elsewhere in the city. Although, I doubt she receives the same level of fame and adoration. And while I should feel obligated to point out issues of gender inequality even in the statuary world, I've seen photos of the statue and it just doesn't look good. To its credit, no one can make squatting look good. Not even George Clooney.
There's also an urinating dog statue ("Zinneke Pis"), if anyone was interested.
A scintillating display of Belgian waffles.
Two types of shops dominate central Brussels - Chocolate and Waffle.
Don Quixote statue
I do believe the clown noses were a later addition.
Lunch: Au Vieux Saint Martin
Dinner: Al Piccolo Mondo
There's something about this city that I'm really drawn to. Maybe it's all the history? the architecture? the gloominess? the crowned street lights?
ReplyDeleteI like that the scaffolding cover has life-sized images of the buildings on them. So considerate!
After the panam (and still dealing with the para-panam) games, I am getting so tired of these international events. You build these structures and they don't have any real use after the event is over. Why not just use/upgrade current buildings?
Do you know why there's a Don Quixote statue in Brussels?
Or the delicious delicious waffles?
DeleteYou and Pat are at completely opposite ends with regards to the pan am/para-olympic games. If it makes you feel any better, I think a few of the buildings are going to become new additions to universities.
Someone online mentioned that it might be to commemorate the first publication of the novel outside of Spain - 1607 in Brussels. Or it might simply because it was the Spanish Plaza (Place d'Espagne).
Haha, yeah, that's not a surpise that we're at opposite ends of the spectrum on that.
DeleteOh coolio, that's a really great thing to commemorate. Sure, I couldn't get past the first chapter of the book but I would still be excited to see this statue. And if it IS just because it's the Spanish Plaza, wel then I'm glad they chose to build a statue of DQ and Sancho, rather than a giant statue of paella (even though I love it!).
I actually googled "paella statue" just to see if it was a thing.
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