Built in 1929 in an art deco style for the Dutch banker and art collector David Van Buuren, this beautiful mansion was turned into a museum in 1973 featuring fine tapestries, blown glass and paintings by modern and classic masters. The most famous are Breughel's The Fall of Icarus and works by Ensor and Van Gogh. Contemporary sculpture exhibitions are organized in the garden.
Belgium's iconic Grand Place stands as a testament to the city's glorious cultural and economic legacy. Recognized as one of the most splendid market squares in Europe, its arcade is completely enclosed by tall, gabled Flemish Renaissance buildings decorated with intricate ornamentation and carved statues. Of the buildings that surround the square, the Town Hall with its Brabantine Gothic tower and the Neo-Gothic Brussels City Museum are especially remarkable. Impressive as it is by day, the square is even more stunning at night under the golden glow of street lights. During spring and summer evenings there is a light show that brings to life the city's musical and cultural heritage.
This old theater housed in what was once the guildhall of local market vendors is located near the stock exchange. After WWII, the building was renovated and eventually turned into a modern, soundproof concert hall. Its famous performers have included The Clash, The Cure, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Lou Reed, among others. Every year dozens of concerts take place in the AB, as the hall is locally known.
Transported in 1969 to the cellars of the Palais des Beaux-Arts, this film museum is not only a fascinating museum, but it also houses two theaters. Within the museum exhibition, you can discover the primeval history of cinema shown in 40 display boxes, demonstrating early innovators' efforts to get moving images onto the big screen. The two small theaters show five films a day, generally surrounding a theme. In the smaller of the two theaters, there are two silent movies shown each day, accompanied by live piano music.
Belgium's vibrant capital and the administrative center of the EU, Brussels is a cosmopolitan city that represents an amalgamation of both French and Flemish cultures, resulting in a rich cultural tapestry. From a Medieval core swirls a whirlwind of cityscapes that oscillate between the grandeur of the past to derelict concrete blocks and glimmering contemporary facades. The city's architecture represents a skillful blend of old world charm and the modern, fast-paced city life of today. Of its numerous landmarks, the Grand Palace, St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral, Cinquantenaire Park, Brussels Stock Exchange and the Royal Palace are the most awe-inspiring, to which the uber-futuristic Atomium is a startling contrast. To list any more would be a study in futility, so vast is Brussels' collection of astonishing structures. The city does not take itself too seriously, however, its are natives renowned for their wit and appreciation for the bountiful ironies of life. With its world-class museums, top-notch dining, entertainment venues and renowned institutions, Brussels is a European city with a global spirit.