Brussels, A.K.A Bruxlles and Brabant (where that one came from I have no idea) is in the heart of Belgium. Though with Flemish origins, the Gallic (French) portion of the country had incorporated it by the 18th century. Therefore by both language and location, it is the melting pot of Belgium. It is the home of the Federal, regional and "Flemish" governments of Belgium as well as the headquarters of NATO and I believe the European Union. In a way this grand city is the capital of capitals.

  I day tripped to Brussels from Bruges, where I chose to base my stay. I was glad that my home base was in Bruges since Brussels is a big city. However, it is a very modern, prosperous, and grand city and there is a lot to do and see. Brussels has beautiful churches, mind blowing architecture, good theater and concert halls.

  With just a day, I had two objectives in this city. Those objectives were to see the Grand Palace and to see Saint Michael's cathedral. However, during my time there I did see other sites, and did fall in love with the architecture and the grandness (though I still would prefer to live in Bruges). When I go back to Belgium, I plan on spending more time in this city.

   The majority of my photos were of the Grand Palace. The Grand Palace is the civic center of Brussels. In my opinion, the Grand Palace is one of the most mind-blowing plaza I have seen in all of Europe. True Versailles and the Louver in France as well as the Alhambra and Seville's Plaza de Espana in Spain have inspiring plazas but this plaza is sensory overload.

       The oldest part of the plaza is the city hall (Pure gothic). It resembles a church from afar but this is where city government has been housed since the 14 (13?) century. This late gothic creation has every single inch covered with statues of saints, gargoyles or other impressive features. Across from it is the equally impressive neogothic (19 C) King's Hall, built based on 15 century plans. It is currently a museum. To the northwest is a series of guildhalls. Though my guidebook calls them baroque, I would call them neoclassical with a very liberal mixing of Doric Ionic and Corinthian capitals as well as other architecture features to make them unique from each other's. The guildhalls are were the guilds traditionally met and all but two are named after animals. To the southeast is a hotel again built in the neoclassical style and incorporating gold leaf (or paint) in the columns and statuary. Anywhere you stand, you are overwhelmed with the architecture grandness.

I hope you enjoy the photos. Any comments, please E-mail me, .

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All photos by John L. Polos
Copyright December 28 2001, updated February 29, 2008