The capital of Belgium, Brussels is a cosmopolitan, multicultural city in which numerous institutions of the European Union and NATO are based. Tourists are attracted here by the historic Old Town, numerous museums and located in the suburbs of Atomium and Mini Europa Park.
The city was founded in the 10th century and was the capital of historic Brabant. It developed as a thriving trade and weaving center. Laces and beer were known all over Europe, and chocolate since the 18th century. Today, these traditions are reminded by museums dedicated to lace, beer and chocolate, as well as numerous shops and manufactories where you can buy these products. It is also impossible to count the bars and brasseries where Belgian beer is served.
The center of Brussels was formed in medieval times. It is centered around the UNESCO-listed Great Square with a Gothic town hall and picturesque tenement houses built from the 13th to the 18th century. Their facades are decorated with symbols from which they took their name, such as the House under the Swan. In December, the famous Christmas market takes place on the square. In the surrounding streets you can see not only historic tenement houses, but also the monumental gothic cathedral and the 16th century King's House, which now houses the City Museum.
The most famous object in Brussels and its symbol is a figurine of a peeing boy or Manneken Pis from 1619, who is dressed in historical or folk costumes for various celebrations. Equally often, tourists go to the suburbs, where you can see a powerful atom model called Atomium, on top of which there is a viewpoint and Mini Europa Park with the most important buildings from around the continent. Street art lovers will find plenty of murals inspired by comics in Brussels.
