European Union Program
Brussels Belgium
Year of EU entry: Founding member (1952) Member of Schengen area: Yes Political system: Constitutional monarchy (King: Phillipe) Capital city: Brussels Total area: 30 528 km² Population: 10.7 million Currency: Euro Official EU languages: German, French, Dutch
Country Profile: Belgium
While only having claimed their independence less than 200 years ago, Belgium and its ancestral past are deeply entrenched in western European history. The origin of Belgium’s identity is said to have begun with the Roman province of Gallia Belgica over 2000 years ago. The province covered an area known as the lowlands which now roughly consists of the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg (also known today as Benelux). During the medieval ages, the region of Belgium was a hub of trade with famous cities such as Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges. These cities, especially Antwerp, became abundantly wealthy from their trade which peaked the interest of European powers who wished to incorporate the wealth into their respective kingdoms. Warring kings threw waste to the lowlands enveloping the region into a battleground for wealth and prestige until Belgium attained its sovereign independence in 1830 from the Netherlands. This small western European nation has been fought over, occupied or vassaled by France, the Holy Roman Empire, England, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands all at least once. Belgium also has its own small colonial legacy in Africa with Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. All things considered, the Belgian identity is unusually complex and today, the country consists of three regions with three languages. Belgium reconciles regional and cultural identities in a single federal structure. Its three communities - Flemish, French and German-speaking - and three regions: Flanders in the North where the official language is Dutch; Wallonia in the South where French is the official tongue, and Brussels, the capital, where French and Dutch share official language status. Wallonia has a 70,000-strong German-speaking minority. Tensions between the two main language communities sometimes run high, and the issue has brought down several governments, creating frequent political instability. Opinion polls suggest most Belgians want to maintain the federation, but separatist parties often score well in Flanders. Page 2
(ctnd.) Despite having significant internal strife, Belgium maintains strength in its cosmopolitan capital of Brussels. Its geographic position between major European powers was once a battleground of military prowess, but today it is a battleground of European politics and economic affairs. Its location and neutrality in World War I and II played an important part in the decision to host European Institutions making it the de facto capital of the EU. Cities like The Hague, Frankfurt, Luxembourg City, Paris and London are only a short flight away. Brussels also plays host to NATO and all permanent representations to the European Union. The European Quarter in Brussels is located just west of the small ring encompassing the city center at Metro stop Schuman. Politics: Belgium parliamentary elections in June 2010 saw the Flemish nationalists become the largest party in Flanders, and the Socialist Party PS the largest party in Wallonia. Until December 2011, Belgium was governed by a caretaker government awaiting the end of the deadlocked negotiations for formation of a new government. By 30 March 2011 this set a new world record for the elapsed time without an official government. Finally, in December 2011 the current government led by Walloon socialist Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo was sworn in. Besides being the Prime Minister of Belgium, Elio Di Rupo is also the only openly gay foreign minister in the European Union. Economy: Belgium is seen as a bellwether for the wider EU economy. Industries include chemicals, pharmaceuticals and car-making. The IMF says Belgium is vulnerable to Eurozone turmoil, partly because of its high public debt. Belgium is ranked second only to Sweden in the category of highest maximum income tax in the world at 55% (Sweden: 57%). Fun fact: The Small Ring around Brussels City Center is the location of the old Brussels fortress walls originally built in the 14th century. All that remains of the fortifications is Halle Gate built in 1381. The decision to tear down the walls was made by Emperor Joseph II of the Holy Roman Empire in the late 18th century. The walls were said to be worthless in stopping French Bombardiers in the late 17th century from sacking the city and were a hindrance to transit.
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Sights and Historical Places Grand Place
The Grand Place in Brussels is the central market square for the city. It is surrounded by gothic and baroque architecture with the most impressive building being the dominating Town Hall. The square dates back to the 12th century, but became a booming marketplace in the 15th century. In 1695, much of Brussels was bombed and destroyed by Louis XIV of France; therefore all of the buildings seen around the Grand Place are 17th century replacements. Cafes and restaurants surround the square and the guilded houses. One of the highlights of the Grand Place occurs for only three days in August on even years, when the entire square is covered in a flower carpet. The Grand Place is definitely a place to at least take a stroll through whether during the day or at night. Royal Palace
Place des Palais, Metro: Parc The Royal Palace is the official workplace of the Belgian Parliament, formerly the official residence of the royal family. The palace was built in the middle of the 18th century, while the grounds date back to the Middle Ages. During the 12th century, the Counts of Louvain built a fortress on Coudenberg Hill, and since then there has been a noble residence overlooking the Park of Brussels. The original palace burned down in 1731. The palace is usually open for visitors only in the summer. Mini-Europe
Blvd du Centenaire 20, Metro: Heysel Mini-Europe is a collection of over 350 scale models of Europe’s best known architectural highlights. Some models include Big Ben, the Pompidou Center, and even a cross-section of the Chunnel. On some weekend nights in the summer, Mini-Europe opens at midnight with musical fireworks. Manneken Pis
Rue de l’Étuve & Rue du Chêne Manneken Pis, which is Dutch for ‘little man peeing’, is a statue that has become a national symbol of Belgium. The current bronze statue was created in 1619 to replace an earlier stone statue built in the mid-14th century which was named Little Julian. There are several conflicting myths as to his origin. The statue is beloved in the city and is polished everyday and on occasions dressed up in one of its 700+ costumes. If you can’t get enough of the urinating statue, there are two more located around the city: Jeanneke Pis, Manneken Pis‘ sister, and Zinneke, a stray dog peeing onto the street. Atomium
Heysel, Blvd du Centenaire, Metro: Heysel (Tram 81) The Atomium was built for the 1958 Brussels World Fair, and is the shape of a unit cell of iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. The Atomium was meant to be destroyed after the World Fair was over, but became a symbol of progress post-World War II, and it is now seen as another city icon. As a visitor you can go up into the Atomium into the nine different spheres, but an elevator is only available for the upper sphere, the rest are accessible by stairs only. Opening Hours: 10am-6pm Admission: 8€ with a student card
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Royal Museums of Fine Arts (Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique)
Rue de la Régénce 3 , Tram 92 or 94 These museums collectively have one of the largest art galleries in the world. They consist of various museum entities distinct by the nature of their exhibits and located at different sites in the city of Brussels: the Old Masters Museum, the Modern Museum, the Wiertz Museum and the Meunier Museum, the Magritte Museum and the very soon to be opened new Fin-de-Siècle Museum. The collection began in 1797, and now currently has over 20,000 paintings, sculptures, and drawings. It houses Belgium’s premier collection of fine art, international works from Dali, Picasso, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, and more. Check the website (http://www.fine-arts-museum.be/en) to see which museum you should go to for seeing specific works, exhibitions and artists. Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm, closed Monday Admission: €2 (age 6-25), €8 (age 26+) Museum of the City of Brussels (Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles, Maison du Roi)
Grand-Place 1 This museum chronicles the history of the city and displays a vast collection of paintings, photographs, tapestries, and examples of art stonework by local artists and craftsmen. Also on display is the vast wardrobe, almost 600 costumes, of the Manneken-Pis. Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm, closed Monday, Thursday until 8pm Admission: €3 Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate (Musée du Cacao et du Chocolat)
Rue de la Tete d‘Or 9-11 Located in the south corner of Grand Place, this museum is spread over three floors and is dedicated to the history and making of chocolate. Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-4:30pm, closed Monday Admission: €4,50 (concession price) Brewery Museum
Grand-Place 10 Located in the former guild house of the Corporation of Brewers, this museum will take you through the history of brewing beer with a chance to sample one of the many beers brewed in the country. Opening Hours: 10am-5pm Admission: €5 Parlamentarium
Willy Brandt Building Rue Wiertz 60/ Wiertzstraat 60 This museum provides an excellent way to learn about the EU institutions and the European Parliament in particular. It is a very well-done museum that is not tiring for the visitor. Do not miss the end of the tour, where you will enjoy a simulation of a meeting with Members of the European Parliament. A mustsee for EU enthusiasts like yourselves! Opening hours: Mon, 1pm-6m; Tue-Fri, 9am-6pm; Sat & Sun, 10am-6pm Admission: Free entry
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Religious Sights Église St. Nicholas
Rue au Beurre 1, Metro: Bourse This church was named after the patron saint of traders, which is fitting for its location, just around the corner from the central market. The church is almost 1,000 years old, with both Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The church was damaged by French bombardment in 1695, leaving behind a cannonball lodged in one of its pillars. The church still functions today with some services in English. Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 8-6:30, Saturdy 9-6, Sunday 9-7:30 Admission: free Church of St. Catherine
Metro: St-Catherine Building of the current church began in 1854, taking up most of Place Sainte-Catherine, which at one point was a square next to a fishing port. The church has a tower from the original church from the 17th century. The original church and tower had been part of the town’s first fortified enclosure. St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral
Metro: Gare Centrale/Parc This cathedral started in 1047 by Lambert II, Count of Leuven as just a chapter, but the cathedral wasn‘t completely finished until the 16th century. St. Michael and the martyr St. Gudula are both patron saints of the city of Brussels. The cathedral has been and is used for ceremonies of national interest such as royal marriages and funerals.
Food Belgian Specialities
● Rabbit cooked with prunes ● Asparagus à la flamande ● Tartar steak with belgian fries (filet americain) ● Endive gratin ● Mussels with belgian fries ● Belgian waffles and sweetbreads Belgian Chocolate
No visit to Brussels is complete without experiencing the world famous Belgian chocolate. It has a quality all of its own and is the obvious choice for gifts to take back home. Belgian Beer
With over 125 breweries in the country and over 800 types of beer, beer dates back in Belgian history to the Middle Ages and is still an important part of Belgian culture today.
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Restaurant Locales Yeti, coffee and cake 4-6 rue de Bon Secours M: Bourse/Beurs
Le Pain Quotidien, great brunch/ breakfast items, coffee Antoine Dansaertstraat 16 M: Bourse/Beurs
Exki, on-the-go grub locations everywhere, one by city center at Place de la Bourse, 2 M: Bourse/Beurs
Rachel, burgers and bagels (best veggie burger in town! ) Rue du MarchĂŠ au Charbon M: Bourse/Beurs
Waffles??
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Makisu, incredibly cheap and delicious sushi Rue du Bailli 5 M: Louise/Louiza
Transportation
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