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