Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and is well-known for a variety of things, including politics, architecture, and food.The city’s urban agglomeration numbered 1,830,557 people in January 2020, which equates to nearly 20% of Belgium’s total population. Considering these facts about Brussels, we may deduce that it is not only Belgium’s capital but also its largest city.It is designated as an Alpha global city because it is the economic capital of Belgium and, thanks to Euronext Brussels, one of the top financial centers in Western Europe.Brussels and Belgium are sometimes referred to as the economic, cultural, and geographic crossroads of Europe because of their rail, road, and air traffic hubs.So, continue reading this article to learn even more interesting facts about Brussels.Where is Brussels located?The Belgian capital, Brussels, is situated between the northern and central regions of Belgium. The capital lies 68 mi (110 km) away from the Belgian coastal region and 110 mi (180 km) away from the tip of the southern coastal region.The Belgian capital lies in the Brabantian Plateau.It is located 28 mi (45 km) from the southernmost part of Antwerp and 31 mi (50 km) on the north side of Charleroi.The city is 187 ft (57 m) above sea level on average, with low points in the valley of the wrapped Senne, which runs east to west through Brussels, and high points in the Sonian Woods on the city’s southeastern border area.The central boulevards of Brussels are 49 ft (15 m) above sea level.The highest point is 418 ft (127.5 m) above sea level and is in Sonian Woods near the Drève des Deux Montages or Tweebergendreef.History Of BrusselsFacts about Brussels reveal that historians disagree on the actual year of Brussels’ founding, hence the exact date is unknown. In the seventh century, the Bishop of Cambrai commissioned the construction of a chapel on one of the islands in the River Senne where Brussels is now located. Following the completion of the temple, a village known as Broeksele grew up around it.Around 580 AD, according to legend, Saint Gaugericus established a modest church on an island in the Senne, a river that still flows through Brussels. However, the city of Brussels was officially founded in 979, when the first permanent fortification was constructed.The city walls were built in the middle of the 13th century and Brussels thrived for much of the Middle Ages because of its advantageous location along the Bruges-Ghent-Cologne trade route.However, in 1695, the French monarch Louis XIV stormed Brussels, destroying over 4,000 homes, including the Grand Place.Various foreign governments ruled Brussels until 1830 when the Belgian Revolution took place in Brussels after a performance of Auber’s La Muette de Portici at the La Monnaie opera theater.Finally, the country obtained independence. Leopold I, the first Belgian king, took the throne on July 21, 1831, with Brussels as the new kingdom’s center.Leopold I led a lengthy phase of reconstruction during which the city walls were destroyed, allowing for significant urban regeneration and expansion.Furthermore, as if to emphasize its independence and newfound importance, numerous international congresses and scientific organizations were organized, and foreign artists, philosophers, and scientists (including Karl Marx and Victor Hugo) flocked to Brussels.During World War II, Brussels was damaged. The city continued to flourish after the war ended.Flanders and Wallonia, as well as the Brussels region, have been split into three semi-independent regions since 1970, each with its government.The European Quarter in Brussels has long housed European institutions and is commonly recognized as the European Union’s de facto capital.The European Union lacks a formal capital and has no plans to establish one. The city owns three main constitutions namely the European Commission, the European Council, as well as the second seat of the European Parliament.Tourist Attractions In BrusselsAmong the most captivating facts about Belgium’s capital that keep visitors hooked, are the world-class museums and art galleries, as well as quirkier attractions like the Atomium and some wonderful remnants of old architecture in the old town quarter.The Grand Place was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.The fine architecture of the square’s elegant Gildehuizen (guild homes), with its spectacular gables, pilasters, balustrades, ornately carved stonework, and rich gold adornment, contributes significantly to the square’s attractive character.The Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall) is the most well-known structure in the plaza, having been erected in 1401 to compete with the Stadhuis in Bruges.The King and Queen of Belgium reside at the Royal Palace of Brussels, which lies in the centermost of Belgium.The city is home to more than 80 museums like the Royal Museum of Fine Arts’ library collection, which includes the collections of various artists such as Robert Campin.The world’s greatest collection of the work of surrealist René Magritte is in The Magritte Museum.Known worldwide for its collection of approximately 8,000 musical instruments, Brussels is home to The Musical Instruments Museum.The Atomium is Brussels’ most well-known landmark attraction, and while it’s a bit of a tram ride away, the bizarre 335 ft (102 m) high steel and aluminum structure, designed by architect André Waterkeyn for the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair, is considered the city’s strangest sight.Brussels’ Culture And FoodDutch is the most widely spoken major language of Belgium.Not all Belgians speak the same language, as there are three official languages of Belgium.People in Brussels primarily speak French and Flemish Dutch; however, German, Belgium’s third language, can also be heard in other regions of the nation.Many people understand English but it is not widely spoken.One enthralling thing about Brussels is the cuisine, which is diverse with major regional differences, and it reflects the cuisines of its neighbors, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.Belgian waffles, chocolate, french fries, and a broad selection of beers are all famous in the city of Brussels.There are numerous friteries, and fresh hot waffles are also served as street food in tourist areas.Brussels waffles (gaufres) and mussels are two notable specialties (usually as moules-frites, served with fries).The spontaneously fermented lambic style, made in and around the city, as well as other Belgian beers, is widely available there and in the surrounding Senne valley, where the wild yeasts that ferment it comes from. Kriek, a cherry lambic, is widely available in Brussels’ bars and restaurants.It’s no surprise that Brussels International Airport is the world’s largest chocolate retailer. Maison Pierre Marcolini, Belvas (which has gluten-free and sugar-free alternatives), and Patrick Roger are some of the famous chocolate shops in Brussels.Brussel sprouts got their name from this city.An estimated number of 1,800 restaurants and several pubs make up the gastronomic offer.In addition to the traditional eateries, there are various cafés, bistros, and foreign fast-food brands.Brasseries featuring a large assortment of beers and traditional national meals are also common.Food enthusiasts consider Belgian cuisine to be among the greatest in Europe. A mix of French food and heartier Flemish fare distinguishes it.Here you will find world-famous, delicious, and mouth-watering chocolates.
Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and is well-known for a variety of things, including politics, architecture, and food.
