A icônica Praça Grande da Bélgica é um testemunho do glorioso legado cultural e econômico da cidade. Reconhecida como uma das praças mais esplêndidas da Europa, sua arcada é completamente cercada por altos edifícios renascentistas decorados com ornamentos intrincados e estátuas esculpidas. Dos edifícios que rodeiam a praça, destacam-se a Câmara Municipal com a sua torre gótica brabantino e o museu neogótico da cidade de Bruxelas. A praça é ainda mais impressionante à noite sob o brilho dourado das luzes da rua. Nas noites de primavera e verão há um show de luzes que dão vida ao patrimônio musical e cultural da cidade.
This large church stands in a quiet part of town and was designed by Luc Fayd'herbe, a pupil of Rubens. It is a great example of Flemish baroque in Belgium. Inside you'll find a beautiful pulpit and paintings by the seventeenth-century Brussels painter Van Loon. The inside is beautifully proportioned with baroque decoration on the Gothic structures. The convent here once held as many as 1200 nuns before it disappeared in the 19th century. Services are held in French at 5p on Saturdays and in Dutch at 10a on Sundays.
The Villers Abbey was founded in the 12th Century for the Cistercian Order and although the abbey is now in ruins you can still discover how the monks lived by going on a walk or tour through the ruins. After you have explored Villers Abbey make sure you visit the gardens. The grounds are based upon how gardens were normally set up for a abbey in the Middle Ages where it was used for medical herbs as well as to create a tranquil space. Take a scenic stroll around the well-designed Square Garden then cross the trellised walkway to the more natural Wild Garden. The Villers Abbey also hosts events, such as plays, exhibitions, and concerts.
Bibliotheca Wittockiana is the only museum in the world that's focused on the art of bookbinding. This unique museum shows how bookbinding has evolved from the Renaissance to modern times. See rare antique books and their unique covers The museum also has rotating exhibitions on related subjects and you can even take a bookbinding workshop. Since this museum is focused on books, naturally it has an impressive onsite library.
Straddling the outskirts of Halle, Hallerbos is an enchanting forest. Dense with oaks, maples and beeches, the forest is also called Blue Forest due to a magnificent natural phenomenon that takes place each spring. Every year between mid-April and end of May, the forest floor becomes carpeted with blossoming hyacinths and bluebells. Picture golden sunlight filtering through the tall Sequoia trees, glistening on the soft bed of green grass, which is interspersed with thousands of bluebells. Many tourists flock the forest every year to witness this stunning visual. Whether you choose to ride a bicycle or take a leisurely stroll, the charming trails here will leave you asking for more.
Dating back to the late 12th Century, the Écaussinnes-Lalaing Castle of Belgium is a well preserved historical and architectural monument. It is family owned even today but is open to visitors who can view its in-house museum, bedroom, armory, jail, kitchen and bedroom still furnished with original medieval furniture. Open from April to October for individuals and families, the castle invites groups to visit its premises in the off-season by appointments only.