Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 18 - Leaving Brussels (2)

This blog continues the previous Part 17,
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_23.html

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

     

   After the Schuman roundabout I came to another green oasis in Brussels, the 'Park of the Fiftieth Anniversary' or the 'Parc du Cinquantenaire' (French) or 'Jubilee Park' (Dutch). This was quite a contrast to the noisy and busy roads and the buildings made of concrete.

   This large park is 30 hectares and in the easternmost part of the European Quarter. Originally this area was part of the military exercise ground outside of the center, the 'Linthout' plains. For the National Exhibition of 1880, the plain was developed into an exhibition center. The original pavilions were replaced with triumphal arcades in 1904. One glass-constructed Bordiau hall remained from the 1880 structures.

   I turned left and walked under high trees under the protective sun. During noon there were some visitors enjoying lunch in the garden, I took some pictures of the green trees and some people reading books or busy with their smart-phones.

   After a while I stepped out of the shadows of the trees, not far away from the above mentioned Bordiau Hall. Immediately when As soon as I left the shadows of the trees I immediately realized how comfortable it was. Within these few minutes the sun become so strong that it seemed like walking in an oven! 

   Most countries would prepare flowers for the visitors during the holiday season, but there were not many to see. Therefore I would not call it a garden but rather a grassland!

   

   But when I looked ahead I could not oversee the Triumphal Arch or Arcade du Cinquantenaire (French) which was planned for the exhibition of 1880 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the independence of Belgium from the Netherlands. But only the bases of the columns were completed in time, for the exhibition the rest was constructed from wooden panels. The following years the completion of the monument was a continuous battle between King Leopold II and the Belgian government which did not want to spend the big amount of money required to complete it. I do not know if these constant battles between the King and the Belgians let Leopold II refer to his own nation as "petit pays, petites gens" (small country, mall-minded people).

   Facing the Arch there is there are the Military Museum on the left and the Art & History Museums on the right which looks like a monumental continuous building from afar.

- Military Museum:

Already at the exhibition of 1910 a section of military history was presented to the public. Given the enthusiasm of the population the authorities established a museum of the army at a time of extreme tensions which lead to the First World War. The museum collection was dominated by approx. 900 pieces collected by the officer Louis Leconte following the Great War.

- Art & History Museums:

The museum consists of several parts which include artifacts from the prehistoric Merovingian period (751 AD) and a collection from the antiquity of the Near East, Egypt, Greece and Rome.  and Rome. Non-European civilizations such as China, Japan, Korea, pre-Columbian America and the Islamic world are also on display.

   The original architect of the Triumphal Arch was the Belgian Gideon Bordiau who spent close to 20 years on the project and died in 1904. King Leopold chose the French architect Charles Girault who changed the original single arch into a triple arch which was completed in 1905 just in Time for the 75th anniversary of the Belgian independence. There is a Quadriga (chariot drawn by four horses) on the top of the Arch with four figures representing four different parts of Belgium created by four different artists.

Quadriga on the Triumphal Arch

(to be continued @
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/09/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in.html)

Disclaimer: I traveled Belgium by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers in traveling an in this small but beautiful country are more than welcome! If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel

Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 17 - Leaving Brussels (1)

This blog continues the previous Part 16,

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_20.html

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

  

   On my 3rd day of my trip I planned to leave Brussels, wanted to walk to Namur, a destination within Belgium. According to the map it is only around 56 km air distance but no one walks in a straight line, the distance says nothing about road conditions, about hills, about curves. Therefore it would take me some time to go there. 

   I woke up with a very upbeat spirit and started the day with a nice shower. At 7:00 a.m. I went to the breakfast room and was, like yesterday, the 1st guest arriving. I took a good supply of cheese and sausages, bread and the obligatory coffee. I enjoyed my breakfast and had some scrambled eggs as a desert.

Enjoying breakfast

   Back to the room I packed my things into the sports bag with rolls. I made sure that I packed everything like before: clothes first into waterproof bags and then properly into the big compartment together with my tent, the sleeping bag and my tripod. The camera, the lens and the batteries I put in my messenger bag together with a light jacket in case of some cool breeze. Finally I finished, tied up my walking shoes and was ready to leave.

   I hauled the heavy bag (13.5 kgs) down the narrow stairs and returned the key into an empty basket beside the same empty counter of the empty reception. In my mind I said good bye to the hotel and left through the main door around 9:00. It felt great to leave the familiar and heading into the unknown. 

   The antique market on the open square was already busy and I walked the familiar way to the Lift de Marolles which was surprisingly empty. I followed the Rue de la Regence, passed the Place Royale and the Parc de Bruxelles but I turned right after the park into the Rue de la Loi. As I went the same street and passed the same places yesterday I did not take many photos from the same placed but moved on rapidly. 

‘Pay attention to Slugs’ or Snails activity in the Brussels Park

   The Rue de la Loi (French), Wetstraat (Dutch) or Law Street (English) is a principal road running through central and eastern Brussels which is notable for government buildings of Belgium and the European Union. Indeed I passed many high modern buildings, reflecting the morning sun in their glass windows. The traffic was very busy and nearly everyone looked busy while wearing business suits or dresses.

   On the left side I came to the Berlaymont, an office building that houses the headquarters of the European Commission, which is the executive of the European Union (EU). The structure in located at the 'European Quarter' at the Schuman roundabout. This remarkable building is utilized in the European Commission's official emblem. 

Berlaymont, the Headquarters of the European Commission

Drawing of the Berlaymont, the Headquarters of the European Commission

http://freedomlightbulb.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-brussels-brigade-dont-follow-their.html

   On the left side I came to the Berlaymont, an office building that houses the headquarters of the European Commission, which is the executive of the European Union (EU). The structure in located at the 'European Quarter' at the Schuman roundabout. This remarkable building is utilized in the European Commission's official emblem.  

   For me, the European Union is a pinnacle of the human achievement in the younger history. We must remember that in the last centuries Europe was in constant fights within and outside their borders. Most notable are two World Wars which started in Europe and started conflicts all over the world. Looking back for me it is a miracle that former foes come together in peace and create first a common market in which they share and later even followed a parliament to govern the fragile product of the 'new' Europe. Of course there have been, are and will be many different opinions, dissatisfaction and arguments between the members but for me the EU is new construct in the making, not a final fact. There are and will be changes in the future addressing the laws, management and institutions but it is already proofs that the EU can withstand threats form the outside (e.g. trade war with Donald Trump) and the inside (Brexit or the exit of Great Britain from the EU).

   The Schuman roundabout ends the Rue de la Loi which goes underground before the Berlaymont. I turned around and took a picture of the modern buildings I just passed. The blue sky gave the scene a special vibe which would carry me forward during the whole trip.

Looking back at the Rue de la Loi

   The Schuman roundabout is named after the Luxembourg-born French statesman Schumann who was an independent political thinker and activist. The twice Prime Minister of France was instrumental in building post-war European and trans-Atlantic institutions. He was one of the founders of the European Union, the Council of Europe and NATO. 

   "The European spirit signifies being conscious of belonging to a cultural family and to have a willingness to serve that community in the spirit of total mutuality, without any hidden motives of hegemony or the selfish exploitation of others. The 19th century saw federal ideas being opposed and, with the rise of a national spirit, nationalities asserting themselves. Our century, that has witnessed the catastrophes resulting in the unending clashes of nationalities and nationalism, must attempt and succeed in reconciling nations in a supranational association. This would safeguard the diversities and aspirations of each nation while coordinating them in the same manner as regions are coordinated within the unity of the nation."

Robert Schuman, speaking in Strasbourg, 16 Many 1949

I will leave on this note and encourage the readers to think about these wise words in a time of violent, selfish (America first!) and corrupt governments....

(to be continued @

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_31.html)

Disclaimer: I traveled Belgium by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers in traveling an in this small but beautiful country are more than welcome! If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel

Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 16 - In Brussels (9)

This blog continues the previous Part 15,

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_17.html

Monday, June 25, 2018

  

   Leaving the Grand Place and the many visitors I found the Manneken Pis (little pee man in Flemish), the statue of a young boy urinating into a basin of the fountain, not far away. Already designed in the 17th (!) century by J. Duquesnoy the Elder (1597-1643), the statue became an institution, a 'must' for every visitor. 

   When I arrived there were some people so I took the obligatory picture but mounted my telephoto lens first. The little man stands only 61 cm tall and all photographers zoom in to let it 'grow' for the photo. As some might know there is a different costume for every day or occasion, there is even a museum showcasing the clothes of the original naked boy. Why the boy was dressed in obviously Dutch clothes was beyond my knowledge...

   Beside the fountain are different waffle shops showing the small boy seemingly made out of chocolate in larger sizes. For anyone disappointed about the original statue can take photos of the models in front or in the shops. 

   I walked back to the Grand Place and enjoyed some quiet moments there. It is amazing how much work and money goes into the buildings to keep them for the world to see...

   From there I walked to the Boulevard Anspach, the main road between the Place Rogier in the north and the South or Midi train station. The road was still rebuild when I walked along and came to the Brussels Stock Exchange or 'Bourse De Bruxelles' in French. Behind the dry word 'stock exchange' stands actually a quite stunning building erected from 1868 to 1873; mixing elements of the Neo-Renaissance and Second Empire architectural styles. It has an abundance of ornaments and sculptures, created by different famous artists of this time.

   Beside the fountain are different waffle shops showing the small boy seemingly made out of chocolate in larger sizes. For anyone disappointed about the original statue can take photos of the models in front or in the shops. 

   I walked back to the Grand Place and enjoyed some quiet moments there. It is amazing how much work and money goes into the buildings to keep them for the world to see...

   From there I walked to the Boulevard Anspach, the main road between the Place Rogier in the north and the South or Midi train station. The road was still rebuild when I walked along and came to the Brussels Stock Exchange or 'Bourse De Bruxelles' in French. Behind the dry word 'stock exchange' stands actually a quite stunning building erected from 1868 to 1873; mixing elements of the Neo-Renaissance and Second Empire architectural styles. It has an abundance of ornaments and sculptures, created by different famous artists of this time. 

   Covering a large distance on my 2nd day in Brussels I've decided to head back to the hotel. There were still many things to discover beside the road, some buildings were decorated with large sized famous Belgian cartoons which caught my attention.

   Back to the hotel I've discovered that all beds with all furniture of my room were dismantled and my luggage in between. I went to the reception and they told me that the room will be redecorated and they arranged a new room for me. So I went back, packed my things and moved into the new room.

   It had true bunker beds with curtains like on ships which gave the room a very comfy and private atmosphere. I choose a bed on the 1st floor, bed no. 6 on the picture. The pillow case, the sheet cover and mattress cover all were prepared, so I started to work on my bed. It was a little awkward to get in but I had a 220 V outlet right beside my pillow which I used for charging the batteries of my cell phone and camera.

   I felt great in this bed but decided to a nice shower first. Later I would meet some other roommates but, as mentioned, I have the experience that this generation is very interested in their smartphones and neither want to communicate and nor reveal much about themselves. 

   Tomorrow I will start my walking part of the trip. Originally I planned to take my bike on a nice tour to Namur, a beautiful city and great destination south of Brussels. But the bike did not work out so I decided to make the same tour but to walk instead. Some people might wonder why to bother but Belgium is a very reasonable place, there are not many mountains on this tour and the route seemed to be manageable. I planned to see the country side while walking step by step to discover new places and people. I did not have a map but rode some name places in my notebook which would be enough...

   For today I would sleep early and prepared myself for a trip covering roughly 5 days with around 100 km by foot starting tomorrow.

   But first I closed my curtains, put my head on my pillow and had a good night's sleep. 

(to be continued @ 

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_23.html)

Disclaimer: I traveled Belgium by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers in traveling an in this small but beautiful country are more than welcome! If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel

Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 15 - In Brussels (8)

This blog continues the previous Part 14,

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_15.html 

Monday, June 25, 2018

  

   From the Brussels Park I crossed the Rue Royal and walked down the mountain to the Brussels Central Station or Gare Centrale (in French). 

   The design of the building complex was awarded to the architect Victor Horta in 1910 which he finished in 1912. With this new station came a major urban redevelopment project for which land was purchased and over 1,000 buildings demolished in the 1920's. The II. World War slowed construction, after the war Horta returned the building was completed but expanded by adding a new train line to the national airport and several underground passageways for pedestrians. An Islamic jihadist attempted to detonate a bomb in the station on June 2017 (wikipedia).
   Later I would go inside and would suggest every visitor to have a look. It is decorated with memorials from the II. World War; the building itself is classic 1910-1920's architecture. Very interesting...

Brussels Central Station or Gare Centrale (in French)

with the tracks underground!

   I continued to the Charles Buls Fountain in memory of the Belgian politician and mayor of the City of Brussels. At his initiative policemen had to speak both French and Dutch, bilingual signposts were established throughout the city. He was a steadfast defender and admirer of the Mont des Arts and the Grand Place, not a UNESCO World Heritage site, proposed the 1883 city ordinance protecting the facades of the grand Place buildings and provided funds for their restoration between 1883 and 1923.

Charles Buls Fountain

   In 1999 this new fountain with a larger-than-life-sized seated statue of Buls and his dog was erected at the Place Agora (Agoraplein) right in front of me. I placed the fountain under a protecting tree with a boy padding the statue's dog back. 

   Someone will notice the 'shiny' or polished parts of the statue. Belgians believe that by touching parts of a statue this will bring luck. I've notice this 'habit' during my whole trip in Belgium.

   Beside the fountain is also a Craft & Jewelry Market on weekends, which should not be missed.

   With leaving the Place Agora (or Agoraplein) I passed some buildings until I turned left into a small lane which suddenly opened a 68 by 110 meters large square, the Grand Place or Grote Markt (Dutch) of Brussels. It is surrounded by guildhalls and two larger edifices, the city's Town Hall and the King's House or Breadhouse containing the Museum of the City of Brussels.

Grand Place or Grote Markt ( in Dutch) of Brussels

   It all started at the end of the 11th century when an open-air market was set up on a dried-up march near a fort surrounded by sandbanks and called the Nedermerckt or Lower Market. At the beginning of the 13th century within the buildings of the Duke of Brabant there were three indoor markets built on the northern edge. Other buildings, made of wood or stone, enclosed the Grand Palace. Improvements from the 14th century onward would mark the rise in importance of local merchants and tradesmen.

Brussels City Hall

   The Brussels City Hall was built on the south side of the square in stages (between 1401 and 1455), thus making the Grand Place the seat of municipal power. From 1504 o 1536 the Duke of Brabant built a large building across from the city hall as a symbol of ducal power. It became known as the King's House, although no king has ever lived there. Over time wealthy merchants and the increasing powerful guilds of Brussels built houses around the edges of the square.

'King's House' or 'Bread House' as it was build over a former Bread Market 

   Even for a Monday morning the place was filled with visitors, most of them Asians following a mall flag mounted on a telescopic stick. I can only imagine how many pictures, conversations and surprises have been exchanged during these few moments on this square. I would suggest to avoid weekends to visit if possible... Without the splendor of the Grand Place the city of Brussels would be not the same and I believe many officials know this.

(to be continued @

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_20.html)

Disclaimer: I traveled Belgium by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers in traveling an in this small but beautiful country are more than welcome! If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel

Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 14 - In Brussels (7)

This blog continues the previous Part 13,
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_12.html

Monday, June 25, 2018

Front of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium

   I continued the Rue de la Régence which led me to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium or the Musees Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Begique (in French). As the plural 'museums' suggest there are actually six different museums connected with this one, the two main museum are in the main building: 

- Musée Oldmasters or Old Masters Museum, covering art up to the year 1750 covering the period running from the 15th to the 18th centuries. The collection originated during the French Revolution and was founded in 1801 by Napoleon Bonaparte. 

- Musée d' Art Moderne (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art) featuring a collection of modern and contemporary art from the late 18th century to the present.

   The Magritte Museum opened in 2009 and the Fin-de-Siecle Museum opened in 2013, are adjacent to the main building. 

- Musée Magritte (Magritte Museum) presents an outstanding collection of works by Belgian Surrealist artist Rene Magritte (1898-1967)

- Musée Fin-de-Siecle (Fin-de-Siecle Museum) reflect the multitude of artistic disciplines between 1868, the date of the founding of Société libre des Beaux-Arts, and 1914. 'All art history fans will enthuse about this new museum that is dedicated to the 1900's when Brussels was a unique artistic crossroad and the capital of Art Nouveau. The sanctuary of cultural history hosts paintings, drawings, watercolors, prints, sculptures, photographs, films models and decorative objects d'art.

   Counting the above described museums were are still two museums short of the six mentioned: the Constantin Meunier Museum and the Antoine Wiertz Museum are dedicated to specific Belgian artists and not located in this building and a few kilometers from the city center. 

   Still walking along the same building there is the museum shop which is ‘one of the most attractive art book stores in Brussels'. It is right at the corner of the museum at the Place Royale or Koningsplein which I already covered previously, see ‘Fighting the Cobbles, part 8’. 

   For some visitors the culture and art might be overwhelming in this area, it seems with every step the air is filled with witnesses of the past. But I believe the designers had purposes to build and keep historical buildings in this area, right in the center of the city. Even me interested personally in history this might be overwhelming. But I will stay longer in Belgium and plan to return later; so I took it easy for today.

Royal Palace of Brussels (French: Palais Royal de Bruxelles) 

   I continued to the Royal Palace of Brussels (French: Palais Royal de Bruxelles) which I covered previously and went to the Brussels Park (French: Parc de Bruxelles or Parc Royal), right across the Palace. It is the largest rectangular public park covering 13.1 ha (32 acres) right in the center of the city. The park was created between 1776 and 1783 in a Neoclassical style on the site of the former Coudenberg palace garden and was recently renovated between 2000 and 2002.

   Walking to an iron gate I followed the main path. It was just a cooling and refreshing contrast to the former historical part walking under shadow of the sun, surrounded by plants and nature. Soon I discovered the many statues in the park so I went for 'statue hunting', no very seriously.

Parc de Bruxelles

   I was surprised that not many visitors have been visiting this green oasis. In the meantime it was noon and time for lunch. I would take my food here to enjoy it in fresh cool air, watching birds and listening to people passing by.

   Halfway to the fountain I came to a small artificial pond with a mother duck leading her ducklings into the water. I did not know if I witnessed history for the young ones but I am sure that many took their smart phones to take this cute scene.

   I continued to the dominant water fountain right across of the palace following the main path. The weather became better and better, the shadows of the trees together with the fountain created a very welcome refreshing oasis in the center of the city. While I was near the fountain I've notice a man fishing for the leaves on the water...

   With the fountain my visit to the Brussels Park ended. Tomorrow I will turn right and walk to Namur, a city in the Wallonian part of Belgium. I estimated I would take around five days for the route.

   But today I will turn left to the Grand-Place or Grote Markt in Dutch with the famous market place and the many historical buildings. Not far away is the even more famous Manneken Pis statue, the landmark 61 cm small bronze sculpture famous boy depicting a naked little boy urinating into a fountain's basin.

(to be continued @ 
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_17.html)

Disclaimer: I traveled Belgium by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers in traveling an in this small but beautiful country are more than welcome! If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel

Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 13 - In Brussels (6)

This blog continues the previous Part 12,
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_8.html

Monday, June 25, 2018

   

   After checking out the Midi (or South) Train Station I went back to the 'Lift des Marolles', right opposite from the Palace of Justice. 

   Today, on my 2nd day in Brussels and of the my Tour de Belgium, will become an historical excursion of this city which traces its human settlements back to the Stone Age. When Julius Caesar arrived in the region, the inhabitants of Belgium, northwestern France and the German Rhineland were known as Belgae (after whom Belgium is named) and were considered the northern part of Gaul. The region was home of Roman occupation, after the decline of the Western Roman Empire (395-480) Germanic tribes came to dominate an form kingdoms until Belgium became part of the Frankish Empire (481-843). King Charlemagne brought a huge part of Europe under his control and was crowned the 'Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire' by Pope Leo III (800 in Aachen).

   The Frankish lands were divided and reunified several times and eventually firmly divided into France and the Holy Roman Empire. The parts of the country of Flanders west of the river Scheidt (Scheide in Dutch, Escaut in French) became part of France; the remainders were part of the Holy Roman Empire. As the Empire and French Kings lost control of their domains in the 11th and 12th century the territory corresponding to present Belgium was divided into independent feudal states. 
   Until the 19th century Belgium was controlled by French, Dutch and Spanish until a series of events would lead to the creation of the Belgian state. After Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo the victorious powers of Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia met in Vienna. One of the most significant decisions was the creation of the United Kingdom of Netherlands, territories once part of France should be attached to the Netherlands. But the country was hugely divided because the north was Protestant but the south Catholic; there was a linguistic division between the Walloons who speak French as opposed to the Flemish who speak Dutch. On Aug. 1830 the Belgian Revolution started with a simple demand: independence and an end to Dutch dominance. The great powers of the Vienna Congress gathered again in London on 20 Dec. 1830 and had no choice but to recognize the success of the revolution and as a result guarantee Belgium's independence as an own country (wikipedia puls https://theculturetrip.com/europe/belgium/articles/belgium-a-brief-history-of-how-it-all-began/).
   Leaving the lift the road leads you to the the 'Infantry Memorial of Brussels' (or Monument A la Gloire de l'Infanterie Belge) beside the Palace of Justice in memory of the Belgian foot soldiers (infantry) who fought in World War I and World War II. 

Infantry Memorial of Brussels

   It is a tall statue with soldiers and the goddess of victory in the center, at the top a golden crown. As the picture shows the weather was cloudy, the sun did not come out yet.

   From there I followed the Rue de la Régence; this road I would lead me to the Sablon (French) or Zavel (Dutch), a neighborhood and hill in the historic upper town of Brussels.

   But first I paid my respect to the Anglo-Belgian War Memorial right across the Palais de Justice on the Place Poelaert or Poelaertplein. It is a monument commissioned by the British Imperial War Graves Commission and unveiled by the Prince of Wales in 1923. It commemorates the support given by the Belgian People to British prisoners of war during World War I.

Anglo-Belgian War Memorial

   Visiting both memorials I could not help but think what great achievement the creation of the European Union actually is. Former enemies joined peaceful hands to create a save, equal and united Europe with one single currency. The result is more than 70 years peace between nations who formerly fought so bitterly in two World Wars against each others with huge losses on all sides in the last century. But unfortunately the British, who erected the Anglo-Belgian War Memorial, don't see the benefits but rather selfishly turn away from their responsibilities and prefer to leave Europe. Just think for a moment: The British spend time and money for a war memorial but don't want to join the peaceful Union of Europe because of monetary and sovereignty arguments? How much sense does this make? It's beyond my understanding...   

   The Rue de la Régence led me pass historical buildings beside the road to the 'Square of Petit Sablon'. It is surrounded by a wrought-iron balustrade which is punctuated by 48 tall stone pillars, atop each pillar is a statuette representing historical professions; each pillar has a unique design like each section of fence. It was created by the architect Henri Beyaert (1823-1894) and inaugurated in 1890.
   I liked this square very much. It shows different famous Belgian masters and not only tell their history but more about their professions. There work lead to today's sciences and contributed so much to our knowledge without us even recognizing. The whole park for me a piece of art with too many details to describe. 

Square of Petit Sablon  

   Right across the Square is the Catholic Eglise Notre-Dame-du-Sablon or the Church of Our Blessed Lady of the Sablon dates from the 15th century. The whole construction in Barbantine Gothic style took about a century, the choir was finished in 1435. The works were interrupted but recommenced by the end of the century. 
   The church is very large, It took my widest angle and an overhead shot to take a picture of this magnificent building. Originally patronized by the nobility and wealthy citizens of Brussels I could only imagine how impoverished the common people lived at that time. 
   As a missionary in Taiwan it is difficult to explain non-Christians or even Christians the Catholic relationship of worldly power with the eagerness to build churches like castles and the teachings and examples of our Lord Jesus Christ. While Jesus dressed Himself in the cheapest camel hair and wore sandals His 'Representative on Earth' indulges himself in unimaginable luxury!  

Eglise Notre-Dame-du-Sablon  

(to be continued @ 

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/08/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_15.html)

Disclaimer: I traveled Belgium by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers in traveling an in this small but beautiful country are more than welcome! If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel