We had been preparing for a long time to explore Brussels in depth. We were curious about the EU headquarters and the special, vibrant atmosphere that characterizes this city. The city center is simply fascinating with its historical buildings, but the absolute highlight of the tour for us was the Atomium. We didn’t just see it from the outside: we also visited the huge spheres from the inside, and the view from there, and this entire futuristic structure completely blew us away.
Our accommodation was at the Novotel in the city center, which turned out to be a perfect choice. It gave us great freedom that almost all the important sights were within walking distance, so we could always jump back and relax for a while between two programs.
And in the evening, we managed to have an unforgettable gastronomic experience. We had dinner at the Amadeo BBQ restaurant, and since it is an “all you can eat” place, we didn’t hold back: their fried ribs are really brilliant, and the atmosphere was fantastic.
Brussels’ history began as a small marsh settlement and has since become the diplomatic heart of Europe. The city’s name comes from the Dutch word “Bruocsela”, meaning “marsh settlement” or “marsh home”, referring to the fact that the settlement was established on an island in the floodplain of the Senne River.
The official foundation is dated 979, when Prince Charles of Lorraine built a castle on an island in the Senne River. Due to its strategic location – as it lay along the important trade route between Bruges and Cologne – the city began to grow rapidly. By the 12th century, Brussels had become an important cloth manufacturing center, and its walls were gradually expanded to accommodate the growing merchant class.
The 15th century was Brussels’ golden age, when it became the residence of the Dukes of Burgundy. During this period, the impressive Gothic building of the town hall on the Grand-Place was built, which is still the pride of the city today. Later, under the rule of the Spanish and Austrian Habsburgs, the city’s political importance continued to grow, although it suffered a serious blow at the end of the 17th century: in 1695, the armies of the French King Louis XIV shelled and razed almost the entire city center. However, the citizens rebuilt the main square with incredible speed, in just a few years, creating the uniform Baroque image that we see today.
The history of modern Brussels is closely intertwined with the independence of Belgium. In 1830, a riot broke out in the Brussels opera house, La Monnaie, which led to the revolution against Dutch rule, which ended with Brussels becoming the capital of the new Kingdom of Belgium. Leopold I and Leopold II Under the reign of the Leopolds, the city underwent a radical transformation: vast boulevards were built, the Senne River was forced underground to prevent epidemics, and monumental public buildings such as the Palace of Justice rose from the city skyline.
After the two world wars of the 20th century, Brussels’ role changed fundamentally. The city became a symbol of international reconciliation and cooperation. In 1958, the World Exhibition was held here, the memory of which is preserved by the iconic Atomium. During the same period, Brussels became the headquarters of the European Economic Community, and later the European Union and NATO.
Today, Brussels is a unique, multilingual metropolis that simultaneously preserves its medieval guild traditions, the artistic heritage of Art Nouveau, and the more austere, glass-palace world of modern diplomacy. The city is not only the capital of Belgium, but also the de facto capital of Europe, where almost every nation in the world is represented.
