Unique Places in Brussels

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U can see the Don Quixote & Sancho Panza Sculpture on ur way as walking to the Grand Place ...

Wonderful inspiring statues in the centre of Brussels, depicting the heroes of one of the most esteemed works of all world literature, "The Ingenious Knight Don Quixote of La Mancha" by the great Spanish writer Don Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra (1547-1616).

The unforgettable characters of Don Quixote and his loyal aide Sancho Panza r known throughout the world, even by many people who have not read the epic work of Cervantes, which he produced in two parts, "El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha" in 1605 and then "Segunda parte del ingenioso caballero don Quijote de la Mancha" in 1615.

People often miss seeing this delightful statue of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza cause it is located in a rather quiet square, slightly hidden from the tourist bustle and restaurants and hotels all around it.

It is located appropriately enough in the Place D'Espagne - Spanjeplein, what in English would be Spain Square or Spanish Square.

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This may be, I think, one of the least touristy areas in Brussels - a pot of cultures and nationalities, composing one of the poorest areas in town. He had there a cheap meal, and saw not much, due to the late hour. Maybe my impression is wrong, maybe the closed church that came from a chapel in 1361 to the actual Neo-Baroque look in 1979, will be interesting, but I must confess that it is out of my preferences for next time in Brussels.

Hi,

If you like music like festivals or jazz.If you like moovies do as the locals do and have a look what is going on in Flagey.

The building is an well known Art Deco building, was the first radiostation and is nicely situated on the étangs d'Ixelles that is surrounded by beautiful Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings.Have a nice drink at the café Flagey.

There are all sort off things going on .Its a famous Art Academie 'La Cambre'and there are moovies and festivals.As the programalways change have a look first on www.Flagey.be
Will put a picture later

From June 21st until september 21st 2003, Art on Cows, the Cow Parade open-air exhibition, took place in the streets of Brussels. Around 185 decorated cows scattered all over Brussels, quite an event ! The cows were bought by sponsors who asked personnalities (artists, politicians, etc...) to decorate the cows.
In October the cows were sold for the benefit of charities.
The picture was taken in the Parc Royal, I loved that one, with the butterflies (difficult to see on the picture though) flying all around :-)

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This type of murale uses to be a feature of Brussels. Especially in the center & mostly in the Marolles, you would find these comics murales.

Most of time, they are about Belgian comics characters. You see? Those who plan to paint, artists, use to apply for authorization to the authors and drawers (Tintin's father, Herge; Philippe Geluck, Dupuis...). Once the authorization granted, they reproduce those characters at a such scale (size of a wall, most of time). Sometimes, with alteration in the character, some translation in the context, some association like this one...

Cubitus and Manneken Pis starring this murale in Rue de Flandre, that everyone can admire. It seems to be an incentive of Ville de Bruxelles, that had had the work executed in 1994. Everyone knows Manneken Pis but what about Cubitus?

Cubitus is a character that was created by Dupa in 1968, when Journal Tintin asked him to insert a new character to fill the pages of the weekly. Dupa then drawed this lovely white fluffy little thing. It was named after a bone because it's a dog. Well, you have to be Belgian to conceive that :).

Journal Tintin then featured Cubitus, for the first time, in April 16 1968. Once stray dog, it was adopted by a master, a year later. The master was Sémaphore, a retired old salt ...

When in Belgium, You still can buy now Cubitus merchandising items. See below website, in French, to know more..

But sometimes, the murale can simply be a trompe-l-oeil (pic2) or a humourous one like this one on pic3... a mason murale in the Justice Palace area (where works are almost part of the landscape).

More of murales I spotted in Brussels...

The European Parliament works in France, Belgium and Luxembourg. Plenary sessions, which all MEPs attend, are held in Strasbourg, the Parliament's seat. Parliamentary committee meetings and any additional plenary sessions are held in Brussels, whilst the General Secretariat is in Luxembourg.
In the pic u see the seat of Bruxelles.

Where?

Rue des Ursulines, near the Breugel Museum

What?

Notre Dame de Chapelle Church is Brussels' oldest, dating back to 1134. An imposing church with a sipre, it is a fine example of the Romanesque Gothic style. Inside, there is a chapel dedicated to the painter Peter Breugel, who lived in Rue Haute close by.

Where?

On the corner of Rue de Vieux Marche aux Grains and Rue des Chartreux

What?

Right, you'd think the Manneken Pis and Jaenneke Pis would be enough :) In recent years, the Zinneke Pis joined the statue collection. Placed right on the pavement, it's a fountain of a dog of an unknown breed lifting it's hind leg over something resembilng a fire hydrand, only a green one.