Brussels: the Walking Tour

 Our guide, Jeanine:

We started at The Galleria. Filled with lots of chocolate shops and restaurants. Pretty sure we hit every chocolate shop. 

Then to St. Michael’s cathedral. Statues of St. Michael slaying the dragon are all over the place.

The Market Square was built by merchants to show independence from the government. Many of the buildings were bombed by King Louis 14th in 1695 and were rebuilt in 1697 and 98. These were the Houses of Miller’s, Brewers, Butchers, Haberdashers, etc. 

Many an event was held in this square historically, including beheadings and burning Protestants at the stake (in the name of religious freedom, of course)!

The City Hall was the target, but the French only damaged the back of the building. At the top of the spire…St Michael slaying the dragon. 

Here are 2 cool guys in front of the cool doors of City Hall:

The original city walls were built in the 11th century and in 1365 were expanded to 5 miles. Here are walls from the original fortification. 

This part is being restored. 

Some of the original wall is in our hotel! Radisson City Center. 

Then we saw the Hall of Justice from a distance. Our favorite fact was that the scaffolding has been around it for 40 years while they argue about the renovation. So long that after 20 years they had to renovate the scaffolding. Meanwhile, it sits empty. 

We visited this beautiful park. Pictures because I’m all about nature! These are Linden and Horse Chestnut trees, and there are cat statues throughout the park. 

Then from this area we could see the city, including this cool clock featuring historical figures:

And we saw this guy who reminded us of Brad Hendrickson!

Also in this area, a plaque in memory of the Belgians who died saving Jews during the Nazi occupation. 

Then, random shots of us in front of important stuff.