Brussels is a name spoken with a sense of knowing dread in certain parts of Europe – it’s the site of the headquarters of the European Union, making it the de facto capital of the Union and so, in the eyes of a lot of Europeans, the origin of a lot of strange regulations, bizarre directives and baffling bureaucracy! Luckily, whether you love the EU or loathe it, there’s still lots to do in and around Brussels.
The biggest tourist spot in the city is the Grand-Place, and although it can get somewhat crowded at the height of the tourist season, it’s still worth a look. In fact, no visit to Brussels would really be complete unless you’ve feasted your eyes on the square’s surroundings – the ancient guildhouses, the famous Breadhouse, and the city’s spectacular town hall, topped off by the magnificent Gothic tower built by Flemish master architect Jan van Ruysbroek. The superb architecture of the Grand-Place, as we see it today, is the result of a rebuilding at the end of the seventeenth century, just after an invading French army bombarded the city centre with mortar shells.
Brussels itself has perhaps the liveliest tradition of folklore and local culture to be found anywhere in Belgium. The folk tradition has been wonderfully preserved in this melting-pot city, and you’ll find no shortage of traditional crafts being practised. There are some local cultural events that are completely unique, and if you want to get an idea of what sort of thing to expect when delving into Brussels’ rich folk tradition, drop in on the House of Toone in the Marolles area of the city.