Barbusse biography. Barbusse in the USSR

Brussels is one of those European capitals that anyone would be interested in seeing. This is a picturesque, vibrant city, striking with its amazing comfort and luxury. The current appearance of the city is a sensible combination of modernity and historical heritage, Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture.

Brussels is located on the Senne River, but it can only be seen when you go outside the city. But here you can admire the view of old Brussels from the so-called Upper Town, lying to the west of the center, and the picturesque capital parks. It is better to go to the Belgian capital in summer or early autumn, when the weather here is warm and pleasant.

Brussels is the administrative capital of Europe

Brussels is not only the capital of the state. In fact, it is a huge city with a population of about 2 million people. The headquarters of numerous international organizations are located here: the European Union, NATO, Benelux, the Flemish and French Communities, etc.

For the average tourist, a trip to Brussels will be very convenient. Everyone here speaks fluent English, there are many restaurants and hotels, and the city is well developed, allowing you to get to Amsterdam, Paris or Cologne in a matter of hours.

Sights of Brussels

– an ancient city with an ancient history. It arose in the 6th century AD and passed long haul from a “settlement in a swamp,” as the city’s name is translated, to the capital of an entire region. There are many historical places and other attractions popular all over the world. Among the most famous we note the following:

1. Perhaps the most famous attraction is the fountain, which has become a real symbol of Brussels. According to legend, the city was once saved from a fire in this way. But not everyone knows that there are other “pissing” statues here – a girl and a dog.
2. – no less popular tourist place. It is crowned by the figure of a Brabant, who holds the waving flag of Belgium.
3. - without a doubt, the most beautiful square in the world. This is where the town hall and the Historical Museum are located. Each building on the square has its own name.
4. with many halls and rooms. This is one of the most popular tourist spots in the city.
5. – the brightest symbol of modern Brussels. You can not only admire the gigantic structure, but also climb to the very top, where the observation deck and restaurant are located.
6. Located right at the foot of the Atomium. There you can see the Acropolis of Athens, the Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, installations of the eruption and fall of Vesuvius Berlin Wall and many more etc. - a total of about 350 buildings and 80 cities, made on a scale of 1:25.
7. , which houses the largest collection of dinosaurs in all of Europe.
8. , built in the 13th century. Collections of art from different times, a park with a cascade of fountains and the castle building itself are worth a trip to the commune of Lennik, southwest of Brussels.

No less popular than all the attractions combined are the so-called. You can buy anything there – both popular brands and exclusive goods. There are large shopping centers such as Basilix Shopping Center and City 2, traditional rows under vaulted roofs, shops under open air, as well as many small souvenir shops located in the vicinity of the Grand Place.

The most popular purchases are figurines of a pissing boy and an atomium, Belgian lace and tapestries, perfumes, as well as sweet souvenirs - chocolate and waffles.

Brussels hotels

You can choose to suit every taste. There is a wide selection of hotels from 2 to 5 stars. The most popular among tourists are:

• 2*: Hotel The Moon; Hotel Opera; Monty Small Design Hotel;
• 3*: Hotel Brussels Erasme; Atlas Hotel Brussels; Azimut Flathotel Aparthotel;
• 4*: Martin's Brussels EU; Renaissance Brussels Hotel; Catalonia Grand Place;
• 5*: Warwick Brussels (Former R. Windsor); Hotel Be Manos; Tangla Hotel Brussels.

The choice is very wide - from affordable cafes to the most luxurious restaurants, of which there are about 2000! The latter are concentrated in the Rue de Bouchers / Beenhouwersstraat area - this is the block directly behind the Market Square. Despite the fact that Brussels is the real capital of Europe, traditional European cuisine is not in fashion here today. Nowadays, restaurants of Asian cuisine are much more popular: Indian, Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants. And, of course, be sure to visit the Confiserie Neu-haus, which is located in the Galerie de la Reine. Even if you don't have a sweet tooth, you should know: be in Brussels and not try the famous chocolate candies or stuffed Brussels balls - just a crime!

As in any European capital, transport links in the city of Brussels in Belgium are well developed. There are 2 airports serving international flights, 3 railway stations, a large river port, metro and tram lines. But the most remarkable fact is that the vast majority of urban roads are underground. This has made the Belgian capital more convenient and safer for both pedestrians and drivers.

It is very convenient that tickets for public transport are common to all types. The price depends on the number of trips: for example, one trip on a bus, tram or metro will cost you 1.50 euros, a five-time ticket will cost 6.70 euros, and a ticket for 10 trips will cost 11 euros. If you wish, you can either use the services of a taxi, which can be ordered by phone, caught on the street or hired at a special parking lot. The cost of the trip is 2 euros for landing and 0.5 euros for each kilometer traveled.

How to get to Brussels?

The most convenient way to get to Brussels is by direct flights operated by Brussels Airlines (Belgium), Aeroflot (Russia), UIA (Ukraine). Planes arrive at one of two airports - and. If you prefer to travel around Europe by rail, then know that the railway stations of the Belgian capital accept both international and regional trains.

Brussels

Brussels

capital of Belgium. Mentioned in 794 G. as Brocela, indicating that the village is located between swamps. Name from Flemish brock "swamp", sela "housing", i.e. "village by the swamp". Modern French Bruxelles (Brussels, obsolete Bruxelles) , Flemish Brussels (Brussels) . Russian traditional accepted Flemish Brussels.

Geographical names of the world: Toponymic dictionary. - M: AST. Pospelov E.M.

2001.

Brussels (Flemish Brussels , French Bruxelles ), capital Belgium . 133 thousand inhabitants (2002), in the agglomeration 2500 thousand people. Known since 794. Since the 2nd half. XII century - one of the main economic centers of the Duchy of Brabant; the residence of the dukes, later the governors of the Habsburgs in the Netherlands. The Belgian revolution of 1830 and after its victory the capital of the country. The center has retained the old radial-ring layout, improved in the 18th–19th centuries. laying highways from the north to the south; on the site of the fortress walls of the 14th century. - boulevard ring. In the “Lower Town”, around the Grand Place square, there are: the town hall, crowned with a statue of St. Michael (the patron saint of B.), the “Royal House” and the guild houses, and a little further away the cathedral (all middle-century Gothic); in the “Upper City” there are ceremonial ensembles, palaces, government buildings and places of worship. institutions of the 18th – early 20th centuries: Royal Palace, Parliament, Palace of Justice, Palace of Fine Arts. A lot of modern majestic buildings (Atomium, North and South stations, etc.). Metropolitan. University (1834), Geogr. Institute (founded by E. Reclus), Academy of Sciences and Arts, Pasteur Institute. Museums: ancient and modern. art, art and history, C. Meunier and other theaters. In Bulgaria are the headquarters of NATO, the EU Commissions, and the EEC. Annual international conferences, conventions, music. competitions, etc. Through canals it has access to the estuary of the river. Scheldt and to the North Sea. Intl. Zaventem airport. A variety of machinery (cars, instruments, machine tools; electrical and radio electronics); chemical, pharmaceutical, perfumery, printing, leather, sewing, paper, food. industry; carpet production, jewelry

, lace. Dictionary of modern geographical names. - Ekaterinburg: U-Factoria Under general edition. 2006 .

acad. V. M. Kotlyakova

BRUSSELS
BELGIUM
Since 1830, Brussels has been the capital of Belgium. In the Middle Ages it was the residence of the Dukes of Brabant. With the formation of Belgium it became its capital. The city's population is about 970,000 inhabitants.
Brussels is rightfully considered the industrial, cultural and political center of Belgium. Many people call this city the capital of Europe. It is in Brussels that the most beautiful square in the world is located (Grand Platz, located on the site of houses destroyed by the French in the 17th century) and many magnificent museums and buildings. The city is constantly developing, every year it has new districts, streets, administrative and shopping centers. The city has magnificent parks, and the beautiful forests surrounding and located in Brussels ancient castles
have always attracted large armies of tourists. There are many ancient monuments in the center of Brussels: Cathedral St. Michael in the Brabant Gothic style; the old town hall, next to which is located"Manneken Pis"; Arts Hill Park. The building of the royal palace of the 16th-18th centuries now houses the municipal museum. On the administrative square there is the Palace of Nations (parliament) - a building of the 18th century; in front of it lies a beautiful, extensive park. On the other side of the park is a modern royal palace.
The city has a medieval quarter, the Grand Sablon ( former market). Right there in the center is the Museum of Classical Art with a magnificent collection of Flemish artists, including Rubens and Bregel, the Museum contemporary art(XIX-XX centuries). The Royal Museum of History and Art, which houses one of the richest collections in Europe of Egyptian and ancient antiquities, Chinese art and pre-Columbian art of America.
Among the museums of the Belgian capital, the Museum of the History of Brussels (history of the city and its inhabitants, decorative and applied arts); Wax Museum (about a hundred wax figures in beautiful costumes, sound, music and video effects); Aeronautics Museum; Car Museum; and, of course, the world-famous Mini-Europe, which is worth talking about in more detail.
Mini-Europe is located in Brupark, on an area of ​​about 2 hectares. The exhibition includes more than a hundred miniature models of historical and architectural monuments, made on a scale of 1:25. Europe is represented by the countries that are members of the European Community: Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Holland, Belgium, Great Britain, Ireland, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Greece.
Three hours will be enough for you to get acquainted with the whole of Europe, visit Athens and admire the Acropolis, discover the fantastic architecture of the leaning tower in Pisa and the palaces of Venice. You will visit Seville, Paris, and from Lisbon you will get to Big Ben in London and further to Dublin, Amsterdam and, finally, Brussels.
The city has ten theaters that stage performances in all languages ​​of the country, the French Theater and the Royal Opera are especially famous.
There are a number of attractions in the vicinity of the city. The Royal Palace in Lequesne (XVIII century) is a modern residence, nearby there is a hundred-meter steel model of an iron crystal - the Atomium - and a tropical year-round swimming pool called the Oceadium. On the Meuse, 14 km north of the city, is the State Botanical Garden. The abbey and La Chambre park are nearby. 13 km east of the city is the famous Royal Central African Museum - a memory of the ownership of present-day Zaire; in Anderlecht - the museum of the famous Erasmus of Rotterdam (16th century). There are also several castles in the area. Birsel (XIV century) is the most romantic. The museum is now the royal castle of Gaasbeek.
18 km south of the city lies the famous Battlefield of Waterloo - the site of Napoleon's final defeat - and the Wellington Museum is also located there.
Brussels is home to several universities, a conservatory (1832), the Academy of Sciences and Arts, and the Pasteur Institute. It also houses the central authorities of the EEC, Benelux and NATO headquarters.
Brussels is a port city and a major transport hub. It is connected by a canal to the Scheldt Estuary and the North Sea. The city is at the center of a major railway network. Thanks to high-speed trains, Brussels is 2.5 hours from Paris, The Hague, Amsterdam and Cologne. 14 km from the city center is international Airport Zaventem. The port city exports mainly nails, steel, marble, coal, candles, glass and sugar and imports minerals, palm oil and coffee. The most developed industries are mechanical engineering (including transport), chemistry, pharmaceuticals, printing, light industry; ancient handicraft production of carpets, lace, jewelry. It has its own metro.
In Brussels, the Maypole festival is held on May 9, the Flanders Festival is held in August-September, the Brussels Festival is held in June-September, and the Pan-European Festival is held every two years. Famous musical competition Queen Elizabeth.

Encyclopedia: cities and countries. 2008 .

Brussels

Brussels (French Bruxelles, Flam. Brussel) is the capital of Belgium (cm. Belgium), the administrative center of the province of Brabant, is located on the river. Senna. The population is about 1 million inhabitants (1995, with suburbs). The central authorities of the European Union and Benelux, as well as the headquarters of NATO, are located here. The city officially speaks French and Flemish, but it is located in the Flemish zone.
Brussels is a cultural and scientific center. The city is home to the Walloon and Flemish universities, the Pasteur Institute, the Solvay International Institutes, the Royal Academies of Sciences and Arts, Medicine, French Language and Literature, Flemish Language and Literature, National Theater, National Opera theatre, Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium, Royal Museum of Art and History, Museum of Modern Art, Museum C. Meunier.
The city was first mentioned in the 11th century. in connection with the events of the 7th century. as Bruocsella, i.e. "settlement on the border." From the 12th century was part of the possession of the Duchy of Brabant, by the 14th century it became the largest city of the duchy, an economic center that supplied locally produced products to the markets of France and Venice. Here was the residence of the Dukes of Brabant. After the short-term capture of the city by the Counts of Flanders in the mid-14th century. powerful city walls and fortifications were built, which remained in place until the first half of the 19th century.
Power in the city belonged to representatives of seven patrician families, who headed the magistrate (collegium of Echevens) for many generations. This repeatedly led to popular uprisings. In 1430-77. belonged to the possessions of the Dukes of Burgundy; at this time Brussels became a prominent political and cultural European center. Artists, sculptors, carvers, and jewelers worked here, and the production of famous tapestries developed. The city was decorated with numerous buildings. A revolt against the future Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, who received Brabant along with other cities and provinces as a dowry after his marriage to Margaret of Burgundy at the end of the 15th century. for some time led to the decline of the city.
In 1561, the Willebruck Canal was built, connecting the river. Senna from the river Rupel and beyond with the most important port at that time Northern Europe on the Scheldt - Antwerp. During the Reformation and the Dutch Revolution, the city witnessed a struggle between Protestants and Catholics. In 1523, two Protestants, the first martyrs of Protestantism, were executed here. In 1576, a Calvinist uprising brought supporters of the Reformation to power, but in 1585 Brussels, along with other southern provinces of the Netherlands, again fell to the Spanish Habsburgs, and the Catholic one became the dominant religion.
In 1598-1633. During the reign of Archduke Albert and Isabella, the city was decorated with churches in the Italo-Flemish Baroque style. In the second half of the 17th century. Brussels was repeatedly attacked by the troops of Louis XIV; in 1695 it was severely damaged by bombing and the resulting fire. In 1746-48. the city was occupied by French troops. In the second half of the 18th century. Industry is booming in the city. After the Brabant Revolution (1788-90) against the Habsburgs, supported by Napoleon's troops, it was occupied by France as part of Brabant and became the main city of the Dyle department.
In 1815-30 within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. With the formation of Belgium in 1830, Brussels became its capital. In 1832, the Brussels-Charleroi canal connected the city with the middle regions of the country. During the First World War, occupied by Germany from August 1914 to November 1918. During the Second World War, occupied by Nazi Germany on November 18, 1940, liberated by British troops on September 3, 1944.
The city center retains its medieval radial-ring layout. For the 1958 World Exhibition, new highways and transport interchanges were created on the boulevard ring (on the site of the 14th century fortress walls). The city combines magnificent medieval architecture with ultra-modern buildings; there are many boulevards, parks, squares. It is often called “little Paris”, and there is even Notre Dame au Sablon, which is similar to Notre Dame Cathedral.
Architectural attractions: in the Lower Town, the oldest building in Brussels is the Church “On the Grand Dune”, built in the early Gothic style back in the 9th century, the Gothic Cathedral of Saint-Michel-et-Gudul (1226-1490), the town hall, topped with an openwork tower up to 100 m high with a 5-meter gilded statue of St. Michael (patron of the city) on top (1401-55), the “Royal House” (now the City Museum, 1515-25), six guild houses (bakers, boatmen, etc.) built in the 17th century ., their facades are decorated with gilded statues, and the pediments are wooden carvings with gilding, the Church of Trinite (Trinity) in the Baroque style (1621).
On a hill, rising 120 meters from the ground, stands the Palace of Justice, one of the largest buildings in Europe, larger than St. Peter's Basilica in Rome; in the Upper City, ensembles in the style of classicism: Place de Martire (1772-75) and Place Royale (1774-80), Royal Palace (18-20 centuries), Palais des Nations (now parliament, 1783), “Brussels Park” ( 1776), Palace of Fine Arts. (1922-28)
Among the buildings of the 20th century: the Palace of the Century (1935), the Sabena air terminal (1954), the Lambert bank (1958), the North and South stations, apartment buildings, residential communities in suburban areas. Monument "Belgium" on the Place des Martires (1838) and the Monument to Labor (1930). One of the most famous sculptures city ​​is the Mannequin Piece fountain (1619), which has become a kind of symbol of Brussels.
The most notable buildings in the city include the “Atomium” - a huge, 120 m high model of an iron molecule, built for the 1958 World Exhibition; its atoms - balls 18 m in diameter - are used as restaurants and exhibition halls.

Encyclopedia of tourism Cyril and Methodius. 2008 .

See what "Brussels" is in other dictionaries:

Brussels- Brussels. Grand Palace and Town Hall. BRUSSELS, capital (since 1830) of Belgium. 954 thousand inhabitants. Port (connected by a canal to the Scheldt River estuary and the North Sea); international Airport. Metropolitan. Mechanical engineering, chemical, pharmaceutical,... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

Scheldt fr. Canal maritime de Bruxelles à l Escaut, Netherlands. Zeekanaal Brussels Schelde ... Wikipedia

- (French Bruxelles, flam. Brussel), capital of Belgium. First mentioned in the 11th century. From the second half of the 12th century. one of the main cities of the Duchy of Brabant. The center of Brussels has retained the medieval radial ring layout (improved... ... Art encyclopedia

Exist., number of synonyms: 2 city (2765) capital (274) ASIS Dictionary of Synonyms. V.N. Trishin. 2013… Synonym dictionary

- (Bruxelles) the capital of Belgium, the royal residence, at the same time main city province of Brabant, cut by several canals and branches of the Senne River and the Scheldt Canal, through which B. is connected to Antwerp and the North Sea. B. lies... Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron

Brussels- BRUSSELS, ch. mountains province of Brabant, capital of the kingdom of Belgium. In 1213 b. besieged gr. Ferran of Flanders and gr. Salisbury, with the aim of forcing Hertz. Henry of Brabant renounced the alliance with the French. During the Spanish Netherlands. war (1572... ... Military encyclopedia

The city (commune) of Brussels should not be confused with the Brussels-Capital District.

Together with the other 18 communes, the city of Brussels forms the Brussels-Capital District, which is effectively a single city with a population of one million people, although the population of the commune of Brussels is approximately 150 thousand people. Usually the name "Brussels" is extended to the entire district.

Geography

The municipality of Brussels has an irregular shape, consisting of three parts: a wide northern one, a narrow central one and an even narrower southern one. The northern part of Brussels includes the Laeken district, where several royal residences are located. Until 1921 Laeken was an independent commune. The historical core of the city forms a pentagon of boulevards laid on the site of former defensive structures. The southern prominence is Louise Avenue.

Brussels stands on the Senne River, but it is practically invisible within the city limits, since it was blocked by Belgian engineers under the leadership of Henri Meaux during the period of urbanization (second half of the 19th century).

Climate

The climate of Brussels is temperate maritime. Marine air masses formed over the relatively nearby North Sea cause small amplitudes of daily and annual temperatures and high relative air humidity. The hottest months are July and August with an average temperature of 17.0 °C, the coldest is January with an average minimum of 2.5 °C. The average annual temperature is 9.7 °C. The number of hours of sunshine per year is 1585.

The maritime climate is characterized by high precipitation. Thus, 821 mm of precipitation falls in Brussels per year, the largest amount (79 mm each) in November and December.

Story

Emergence

The name of the city comes from the words bruoc (Old Norse, “swamp”) and sella (Old Norse, “residence”) and literally means “settlement in a swamp.”

According to legend, Brussels was founded in the 6th century by Saint Gorik (or Saint-Gery). However, the first mention of the village of Bruocsella occurs only in 996 in a charter of Otto the Great. From 977 to 979, Charles of Lower Taring built a fortress and chapel on an island on the Senna River, which was the first step in the development of the city. The cathedral was dedicated to Saint Gudule, patroness of Belgium. In the 11th century, the first city wall was built.

Middle Ages

In 1430, Duke Philip III the Good of Burgundy inherits the Duchy of Brabant and makes Brussels the capital of Burgundy. In it time is running construction of the town hall and the first buildings on the Grand Place. The economy is booming, sculptors, carpet makers and jewelers are settling in the city. Among them, the artists Pieter the Elder Bruegel and Rogier van der Weyden find refuge in Brussels. In 1477, the granddaughter of Philip the Good, Mary of Burgundy, married the future Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, due to which Brabant came under Habsburg rule. Their daughter Margaret of Austria temporarily moved her residence to Mechelen, but after 1531 Brussels again became the capital of Burgundy.

After the death of Charles V during the reign of his son Philip II most of modern Belgium becomes part of the Southern Netherlands. Under Philip, there was a rebellion against the Spanish rulers, including those led by Count Egmont and Count Horn, who were publicly executed. During the reign of the Spaniard Fernando Alvarez de Toledo, Protestants were severely persecuted. The repression led to the fact that the intellectual elite began to leave the city (mostly fled to Amsterdam), which in turn led to the economic decline of Brussels.

The Peace of Westphalia, which ended the war in 1648, declared the northern part of the Netherlands independent, while the southern part, along with Brussels, remained under Spanish control. In the second half of the 17th century, under Louis XIV, France tried to take a dominant position in Europe. French troops conquer Hainaut and West Flanders.

In 1695, the Brussels Grand Place for three days was fired upon by artillery guns and was almost completely destroyed. According to the Peace of Rijswijk of 1697, the French had to leave Belgian territories. During the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714), Habsburg representatives from Austria took over the Southern Netherlands (and also Brussels).

Struggle for independence

In 1789, with the help of the Brabant Uprising, it was possible to briefly achieve independence from Habsburg rule during the reign of Joseph II, until the territories were captured by the troops of the French Republic in 1794. French rule ended in 1815 after the defeat of Napoleon's troops at the Battle of Waterloo, which is located 15 km south of Brussels. At the Congress of Vienna 1814-1815 it was decided to unite the Southern Netherlands with the Northern ones under the rule of Willem I.

Belgian Revolution of 1830 in Brussels

The south of the Netherlands, where the French language and Catholicism were widespread, felt disadvantaged in the area government, education and economic development compared to the Dutch-speaking Protestant North. After some time, the Belgian Revolution leads to the separation of Belgium from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands and the formation of the Belgian Kingdom. The most powerful powers of the time - England, Prussia, Austria and Russia - were interested in a peaceful resolution of the conflict and proclaimed the independence of the new state at the London Conference of 1830. Brussels becomes the capital of the kingdom, and Leopold I becomes the first king of Belgium with a constitutional monarchy form of government.

New time

Thanks to its status as the capital of the state and the rise of the Belgian economy during the era of industrialization (19th century), Brussels is becoming an increasingly attractive destination. Population is growing at a fast pace, not least due to immigrants from Wallonia and France. The historical core of the city is uniting with the former rural communes into a conglomerate, and new neighborhoods are growing. At this time, buildings such as the monumental Palace of Justice, the Stock Exchange, the royal palace, Triumphal Arch And famous buildings in the Art Nouveau style (for example, the buildings of Victor Horta).

Although Belgium was a victim of aggressive German policies during both World Wars, Brussels was not subject to significant damage. Thanks to this, the architecture and streets of Brussels until the 60s (and partly even today) remained the same as when the city was founded. However, already in the 30s, a rail connection was established between the Northern and Central stations through the city center.

Bilingualism in Brussels

The long-standing conflict between the Flemish, Dutch-speaking, and Walloon, French-speaking populations leads to the fact that in 1932-1938 Brussels became bilingual: the names of streets, public transport stations and municipalities are duplicated in two languages. Under the influence of Wallonia, which was more developed at that time, the city is increasingly “Frenchized”; the previously dominant Dutch language fades into the background. The architecture is also dominated by the French style.

After the Second World War, Brussels gains more and more international significance: In 1958, the European Economic Community (predecessor of the European Union) was established here. In the same year, the World Exhibition took place in Brussels, for which the Atomium was built. In 1967, NATO moved from Paris to Brussels. A law issued in 1953, according to which the costs of demolition of old houses are paid by the state, negatively affects the appearance of the city: an unjustifiably large number of old houses and neighborhoods are demolished, and the resulting territories are built up with high-rise buildings. Some architects believe that Brussels suffered more from modernization in the 60s than from wars. Such modernization, accompanied by the massive demolition of historical quarters, was called “Brussellization.” In addition, a characteristic feature of the new Brussels was the formation of ghettos and the settlement of poor immigrant families in central neighborhoods that were previously distinguished by rich cultural traditions.

Population

The city of Brussels is home to 148,873 people (January 1, 2008), with a population density of 4,566 people/km. Together with the 18 remaining communes of the Brussels-Capital District, the agglomeration forms the largest (and at the same time one of the most densely populated) cities in the Benelux and with a population of 1,048,491 people.

Demographics

The population of Brussels increased most rapidly during the period of urbanization in the 19th and early 20th centuries: in one century the population doubled - from 98,000 in 1830 to 200,433 people in 1930. The city's population peaked in 1930, and since then the city's population has declined, remaining at around 140,000 with slight fluctuations over the last 30 years.

In 2007, the birth rate was 17.4, the death rate was 8.8. Thus, the natural population growth was +8.6, and the total population growth was +17.1, which is a fairly high figure for Europe.

The gender composition of the city's population is homogeneous - 50.18% of men and 49.82% of women live in Brussels. Half of the total Brussels population (51.6%) is single.

Ethnic composition

Thanks to the presence of institutions of the European Union, NATO and other international organizations in Brussels, more than a quarter of the city's population (27.1%) are foreigners.

Religion

The majority of Belgians profess Catholicism and Protestantism, with Judaism and Islam also being the official religions.

Economy

Brussels is the country's largest economic center. The economic growth of the Belgian capital was facilitated by the central geographical position and the fact that international organizations such as the EU and NATO are located here. In terms of GDP per capita (€59,400), Brussels is in third place among European cities after Luxembourg and central London. The greatest profits come from gastronomy (in April 2007 there were more than 2,000 restaurants in the city) and the tertiary sector of the economy. In addition, the fields of mechanical engineering that produce industrial equipment are developed. The city is home to a large number of credit and financial institutions.

Transport

Automobile transport

The country's many road transport lines converge in Brussels. The motorway network is similar in design to the French road network: like the Parisian Boulevard Peripherique, Brussels has a ring motorway R0, to which roads converge from all directions. The entire motorway network is well lit.

Due to the large congestion of traffic at major intersections, a significant part of the roads was moved underground. Thus, not only straight sections are hidden underground, but also forks and even traffic lights. One of the tunnels leads directly from the highway in the eastern part of the city to the quarter where the EU institutions are located.

As of 2007, there are about eight hundred private taxi operating companies operating in Brussels. The total number of taxi cars is 1200, with 3200 drivers working for them. There were 633 taxi stands in the city. All private companies are subject to the Taxi Directorate of the Ministry of the Brussels-Capital Region. Taxi services operate within the Brussels-Capital region of Belgium, as well as in the surrounding suburbs. All taxi operators use a single tariff system. All taxi cars in Brussels have an illuminated sign on the roof, with the inscription TAXI in red letters on a white background and a pattern of a yellow iris (symbol of Brussels). Taxi cars are usually painted white or black.

Air transport

Brussels is served by two international airports:
Brussels-Zaventem - 12 km northeast of Brussels in the commune of the same name
Brussels-Charleroi in Charleroi - 50 km south of the capital

Sea transport

With an annual turnover of 7.85 million tons, the Port of Brussels is one of the largest in Belgium. The Brussels-Scheldt Canal connects it with the Scheldt River and thus with the port of Antwerp and the North Sea. The Charleroi-Brussels Canal provides connections with Wallonia.

Railway transport

The largest train stations in Brussels - North, Central and South - are connected to each other by the North-South tunnel. International trains usually arrive at South Station, where there are connections with Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne (Thalys, TGV, ICE trains) and London (Eurostar). The Brussels-Luxembourg station was originally intended to connect the buildings of EU organizations, but recently it is increasingly used by ordinary citizens.

City public transport

Subway lines

The public transport network consists of three metro lines, two pre-metro lines (underground tram lines), 18 tram lines and 50 bus routes. All stations and stops are named in Dutch and French. The public transport operator in Brussels is STIB/MIVB.

The metro system consists of three lines (1A, 1B and 2). The average distance between stations is 650 meters. Lines 1A and 1B run from east to west and share a common section in the city centre. Line 2 is circular, in the form of a pentagon, repeating the features of the historical core of Brussels. The pentagon will be completely closed in 2009.

In addition to the metro, there are two underground tram lines - pre-metro. The most important line connects the North Station with the Central Station. City transport operates until 0.30, night routes (except for bus line N71) operate only on weekends, the ticket for them is slightly more expensive than during the daytime. Taxi prices in Brussels are quite high.

Brussels is connected to the suburbs by NMBS/SNCB trains, numerous bus routes STIB/MIVB, De Lijn TEC and tram routes STIB/MIVB no. 4, 19, 97, 44, 39. To improve the railway connection, a decision was made in 2004 to reconstruct the suburban express network -electric train Reseau Express Regional/Gewestelijk ExpresNet following the example of the Parisian RER network. The network should be built by 2012.

Urban planning

Architecture

For several centuries in Brussels there was a conflict between the French-speaking and Flemish societies, due to which the two territories developed separately, each with its own cultural, architectural and economic characteristics. In the city center, the architecture is dominated by medieval houses in the Flemish style, in particular the Flemish Baroque and Brabant Gothic styles. The most striking example is architectural ensemble Grand Place square, created in the 16th - 18th centuries.

IN late XIX century, the Walloon (French-speaking) community took over the dominant position, so most of the buildings of the 19th-20th centuries were made in the French style. One of the founders of the Art Nouveau style with its flowing unusual shapes, Victor Horta studied at the Belgian Academy of Arts in Brussels and after graduating began to transform the city. Four houses designed by Orta were listed as objects World Heritage: Edmond Tassel's house, Orta Museum, Solvay house, Van Etvelde house. Another example of Art Nouveau from the World Heritage List is the Stoclet Palace, built at the beginning of the 20th century by the Viennese architect Joseph Hoffmann. During the heyday of Art Nouveau, the city actively expanded, so many Brussels suburbs can boast of Art Nouveau architecture. The most notable in this regard are the communes of Ixelles, Etterbeek, Schaerbeek and Saint-Gilles.

After the end of the First World War, the Art Deco style, which is a synthesis of Art Nouveau and Neoclassicism, became popular. Some buildings were made in this style (for example, the architecture of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a mixture of Art Deco and Neo-Gothic), but Brussels remained the capital of Art Nouveau.

Brusselization

In the 1960s and 70s, thanks to the law on payment for the demolition of old buildings by the state, motorization and the relocation of European institutions to Brussels, many historical buildings, as well as entire neighborhoods, were demolished. In their place new high-rise buildings made of concrete and glass rose. So, during the laying of underground railway Between the North and South stations, the center of Brussels was built up with modern office buildings. Part of the Marolla quarter was cleared for the Palace of Justice, and the People's Palace, one of the masterpieces of the founder of Art Nouveau Victor Horta, was also destroyed. Belgian ministries were built on the site of the destroyed Northern Quarter. For the institutions of the European Union, the European Quarter was built in the eastern part of the city.

Nowadays, when rebuilding historical buildings, facadeism is practiced - preserving the facade with a complete reconstruction of the rest of the building.

Attractions

Grand Place / Grote Markt

The heart of the city is the Grand Place / Grote Markt - a square 110 m long and 68 m wide. It is surrounded by houses built in the 17th century. Each has its own name and each once belonged to a certain guild. For example, the She-Wolf house was occupied by the guild of archers, and the Cart house was built in 1697 by the guild of oil and fat producers. Some houses, such as “Oak” and “Lisenok”, have a rather simple architecture.

The square also houses the City Hall, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The construction of the town hall was carried out in 3 stages. The left wing, which is longer, was built in 1402 by Jacob Van Tienen. The right one was completed in 1445 by an unknown architect. In 1450, the building was crowned with a 90-meter watchtower with a statue of the Archangel Michael, the patron saint of Brussels.

Opposite the Town Hall stands the “House of the King”, where, despite the name, no king has ever lived. Built in the 13th century, the house served alternately as a warehouse for bakers, a tribunal and a prison. In 1873, architect Victor Yamar redesigned the building in the Gothic style. Today, the “House of the King” houses the Communal Museum.

Pissing boy

Not far from the Grand Place / Grote Markt there is a famous fountain - the Manneken Pis, bronze statue 61 cm high. There are many legends about its appearance. According to one of them, four centuries ago a boy saved the city from a fire in this way.

Today, the world-famous Manneken Pis is the owner of a wardrobe consisting of more than 800 outfits, which are stored in the “King’s House” in the Communal Museum. Thus, on the birthdays of Mozart and Elvis Presley, he is dressed up in appropriate costumes, and during international matches, Mannequin Peace tries on the uniform of the national football team.

Since 1987, a few streets further away there has been a statue of the Girl Piss, the pandan Mannequin Pis. In 1999, the Pissing Dog also appeared, symbolizing unification different cultures in Brussels.

Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula

The construction of the cathedral dates back to 1226. The architecture of the building includes elements of such styles as Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance. But the predominance of Gothic is still noticeable. The facade consists of two towers, each 70 m in height, decorated with carved spiers that raise the cathedral high into the sky. Inside, the building is illuminated by soft light penetrating through tall windows with stained glass of amazing purity.

Atomium and Mini-Europe

One of the most important attractions and symbol of the city is the Atomium, built for the 1958 World Exhibition. The Atomium is located in the north of the city in the Laeken district and is a model of an iron crystal, 102 m high, enlarged 165 billion times.

In the immediate vicinity of the Atomium there is a park of miniatures "Mini-Europe" with copies of the most famous buildings Europe in scale 1:25. There are also six royal residences in the Laeken area.

Comics

Brussels is the birthplace of comics. The city was home to such famous comic book artists as Hergé, Andre Franquin and Morris de Bever, who created comic book series about Tantan, Marsupilami, Lucky Luke, Gaston and other characters that became popular all over the world.

A unique attraction of Brussels are the comic books on the walls of houses scattered throughout the city. The most famous of them are collected in the Comic Strip Route guide. The Belgian Center for Comic Art, located in an Art Nouveau building designed by Victor Horta, houses a collection of more than 25 thousand comics, including about 400 original drawings Hergé, and tells the history of comics from their inception to the present day.

2009 has been declared the year of comics in Brussels.

Mount Arts

Between the Upper Town and royal palace, the parliament and the Palace of Justice and the Lower Town - the historical center of Brussels with the town hall, residential buildings and artisans' houses - is the Mount of Arts, built during the period of Brusselsization. The massive geometric forms of postmodernism, expressed in architecture, became characteristic of this period. Royal Library Belgium and the Palace of Congresses. From the top of the Mount des Arts you can see the Grand Place, and on a sunny day also the Atomium and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. In addition to the Royal Library, there is a complex of museums and art galleries: Museum musical instruments, Royal Museums of Fine Arts and others.

Culture and leisure

The cultural life of Brussels is quite rich and varied. In addition to museums and permanent exhibitions, concerts and other cultural events are periodically held, such as the celebration of Valentine's Day and International women's day, the year of comics, concerts of world stars. You can purchase a cultural guide for the current year with a schedule of all events and addresses of museums, theaters, clubs and exhibitions.

Museums

The Brussels-Capital District has 80 museums, about half of which are located directly within the municipality of Brussels. In addition to the usual art and history museums, in Brussels there are such unique museums, like the Chocolate and Cocoa Museum, the Comic Book Museum, the Beer Museum, and the Musical Instrument Museum. Among the art museums, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts should be noted with an extensive collection of works by Flemish masters.

There is a system of discounts for visiting Brussels museums - the Brussels Card, which gives the right to free visit some museums and public transport. Also, the Night of Museums takes place once a year.

Gastronomy

Myasnikov Street

Belgium is considered the birthplace of pralines, French fries and Belgian waffles, so these dishes are very popular throughout the country and in particular in its capital. In addition to Fritkots, which specialize in french fries, and waffle joints, the city's streets are lined with stalls selling delicacies such as snails and fresh seafood. Also in the vicinity of Brussels, special types of beer are produced: lambic, gueuze (“Brussels champagne”) and others.

In total, there are about 2,000 restaurants in Brussels, eight of them are marked with at least one star in the Michelin guide: four two-star and four one-star. The largest number of restaurants is located in the area of ​​Butchers Street (Rue des Bouchers / Beenhouwersstraat).

Notable natives and residents

Madou, Jean Baptiste (1796-1877) - Belgian painter.
Hermann Gorter (1864-1927) - poet and politician.
Pedro de Campagna (1503-1586) - Flemish artist Renaissance period.
Jacques Brel (1929-1978) - singer, actor, director, national hero of Belgium.
Bronte, Charlotte (1816-1855) - English writer and poetess.
Brian Molko (1972) - English singer, frontman of the band Placebo.

Where Brussels is located interests many tourists who have not yet had time to explore Europe. Brussels can perfectly convey the spirit of the Middle Ages that reigns throughout the European part of the world, and the atmosphere of the modern world.

Brussels on the world and Europe map

Although the name of the city remains familiar to everyone who studied geography at school, travelers who have never been here do not always accurately imagine the location of Brussels.

What country is it in?

If you adore antiquity and want to get closer to the history of Europe, you should not limit yourself to German Gothic castles or French Notre Dame. Be sure to stop by the modestly nestled on the border of France, the Netherlands and Belgium, about which it is impossible to compose full impression without visiting the capital of the country, Brussels.

This amazing ancient city is still full of life and interesting for tourists.

Brussels is capital Belgium. It also serves as the core of the Brussels-Capital Region, which includes not only the city itself, but also nearby suburbs, forming a huge metropolis. The settlement is located on the Senna River, but after arriving here you will not see the slightest trace of this waterway: within the city limits it was blocked by local engineers back in the 19th century.

Historical background

According to legend, in the 6th century. The city was founded by Saint Gageric. Translated from Old Dutch, the name "Brussels" means "settlement in the swamp". However, in written sources the city was first mentioned only in the 10th century. It was then that Duke Charles I of Lorraine ordered the construction of a fortress and a cathedral on the Senne River, dedicated to Saint Gudula, the Belgian patroness.

In the 15th century, under the Burgundian Duke Philip III the Good, Brussels experienced a real economic prosperity. Numerous artisans move here, new buildings are built. Over the course of a century, Brussels has constantly passed from the rule of the Burgundian dynasty to the control of the Austrian Habsburgs and vice versa.

During the reign of Philip II the city was part of Southern Netherlands, after which the era of Spanish rule began for him. In the second half of the 17th century, Brussels came under the rule, and then until the 19th century these territories remained the subject of a dispute between the French and Austrian monarchs, constantly coming under the control of one or the other.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the city as part of the Southern Netherlands became part of the united Netherlands, but by the middle of the century it had already become the capital of the newly proclaimed Kingdom of Belgium. In the 20th century, the settlement became one of the least affected by the world wars; now there are headquarters NATO and the European Economic Community.

General information

total area The city is slightly larger than 32 km². Brussels itself is home to no more than 160 thousand people, but with 18 communes the population of the district reaches 2 million people.

The city's terrain is quite hilly, so a long walk through it can be tiring.

Brussels district has irregular shape and consists of a wide northern, narrow central and even narrower southern regions.

The northern part deserves a mention Laeken district, where the residence of the Belgian monarchs of the same name is located, and in the south - Avenue Louise. The historical center of the city is formed by ancient pentagon-shaped boulevards, created on the site of former fortifications.

Climatic features

The city's climate is temperate marine type. The relative proximity of the North Sea explains the slight seasonal fluctuations in temperature throughout the year and increased air humidity.

The hottest weather is in Brussels in July-August, when the thermometer rises to an average of +17°C, and it is coldest here with a minimum monthly average temperature of +2.5°C. Average annual The temperature is about +10°C.

Belgian chocolate, a small copy of Atomium, Flemish lace - read what else to bring from Belgium to.

In the city it rains often: Rainfall averages more than 800 mm per year. The rainiest season is November and December.

How to get there?

To enjoy the beauty and attractions of Brussels, you should plan your trip in advance and decide on your trip option.

From Moscow

Difference in time between Brussels and Brussels is 2 hours (in the capital of Belgium, chronometers show 2 hours less), so this fact is worth taking into account when choosing a method of transportation. You can get to the city from the Russian capital by the following flight:

From Saint-Petersburg

From the Northern capital you will get to Brussels (the time difference is the same as with Moscow) using one of the following methods:

From other regions of Russia

Residents of the province will be able to get to the capital of Belgium by plane only with one transfer: There are no direct connections between Brussels and other cities of the Russian Federation, except Moscow. Today you can buy tickets for flights to this city in Volgograd, Kazan, Novosibirsk, Murmansk and other large localities in Russia.

Residents Ufa can travel to Brussels by booking a seat on a Turkish Airlines or Aeroflot flight (with a transfer in Moscow, flight duration is about 7 hours).

Planes of the same companies fly to the Belgian capital from Rostov-on-Don and Yekaterinburg (flight time is at least 4.5 and 6 hours, respectively).

In an Aeroport Mineralnye Vody You can freely order tickets for flights to Brussels via Istanbul from Pegasus Airlines (flight duration is approximately 8 hours). IN Novosibirsk This service is provided by S7 and Brussels Airlines (transfer in Moscow), as well as Turkish Airlines (transfer in Istanbul). The flight will take about 6 hours.

You can purchase a plane ticket using this search form. Enter cities of departure and arrival, date And number of passengers.

If the capital of Belgium is waiting for you soon, you will find the following useful: recommendations:

• Because it's raining in Brussels - common occurrence, be sure to put it in your luggage raincoat or umbrella;
• For more comfortable rest plan a trip here for summer. It never gets hot here, and the average temperature is +18-20 degrees and less precipitation will allow you to devote more time to sightseeing;
• Lovers of perfumes and couture clothing should definitely visit exclusive boutiques and fashion stores in elite areas - on Avenue Louise And waterloo street;
• The best restaurants in the city are located on Rue Petit, near the central square of Brussels;

Read about the magnificent sights not only of Brussels, but also of other cities in Belgium.

• Connoisseurs of seafood and fish simply cannot help but look into Rue de Boucher– a famous local restaurant where such dishes are prepared simply wonderful;
• Day off at local museums – Monday;
• If you are flying by plane, you can take with you 100 g of tea, 200 cigarettes, 2 liters of alcohol, 50 ml of perfume or 250 ml of cologne and 500 g of coffee. Strictly prohibited import fresh meat;
• Bank branches are usually open from 9:00 to 15:30 or 16:30 only on weekdays. Currency exchange offices are open on weekends, but it is much more profitable to change at a bank;
• As souvenirs from Brussels it is best to bring local gin, a chocolate bar, lace or crystal jewelry;
• To remote areas of the city not worth it going without a guide, as well as walking in the evening with large sums money or jewelry: leave them in the hotel safe.

Brussels is the capital of which country? The city of Brussels is the capital of Belgium (Kingdom of Belgium), the capital of the Brussels-Capital Region (not the city of Brussels). In the past, Brussels was the capital of Brabant and Burgundy. Today the city of Brussels is the unofficial capital of the European Union. The history of the city of Brussels as a capital dates back to the 12th century.

Where is Brussels? The capital of Belgium is located on the Senne River in the historical region of Brabant - the Duchy of Brabant.

Brussels is the capital of Belgium. Streets of Brussels.

The city of Brussels is the capital of Brabant and Burgundy. Brussels is first mentioned in the sources of Art. 11. in connection with the events that took place in the city at the end of the 7th century. From the second half of the 12th century. the city became one of the main economic centers of the Duchy of Brabant. In 1430, the Burgundian Duke Philip III the Good (1419 – 1467) inherited the Duchy of Brabant and made Brussels the capital of Burgundy.

Brussels loses its status as a capital during the period of domination of Brabant by the Spanish and Austrian Habsburgs (late 15th – 18th centuries).

Brussels is the capital of Belgium. The city of Brussels is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Belgium and Holland).

Brussels is the capital of Belgium. Streets of Brussels. Brussels uprising, declaration of Belgian independence. Brussels is the capital of Belgium.

Brussels is the capital of Belgium. European Parliament building. Brussels is not officially declared the capital of the European Union. But the city of Brussels is home to the most important structures of the European Union. Brussels hosts meetings of the European Council and meetings of the European Parliament. The headquarters of the European Commission is also located in Brussels. Brussels is the headquarters of NATO and various international organizations. In this regard, a European quarter even appeared in the eastern part of the city. So, many centuries later, the city of Brussels, with its cultural, architectural and economic isolation of the French-speaking and Flemish population, became one of the undeclared capitals of a united Europe.