Unique Things in Belgium

Belgium offers many activities for the travelers making their trip a unique one. There are a variety of things to do in Belgium providing something for everyone. One can just walk out in the day and indulge in various activities or pass some peaceful time in their hotel as well as in the countryside. The variety of unique things to do in Belgium makes your trip exciting as well as unforgettable.

Belgium unique things

Events in the Grand Place
This beautiful palace has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There isa flower market in the mornings and a bied market here on Sundays which one can enjoy watching. The creative lightings in the evenings provide a halo and glow to the buildings of the palace. If you happen to visit in May you will be able to see the annual Brussels Jaz Marathon set up on a temporary stage featuring musical acts along with food and beer. Another memorable event which takes place here is the annual Ommegang procession on the first Thursday in July. This is based on a magnificent parade attended by Emperor Charles V in 1549.

One will find the exterior of the 14th century Town Hall covered by fanciful carvings which are so delicate that one gets the impression that it is piped in icing rather than hacked from stone. Inside you will come across a massive lower hall hung with the flags of Bruges medieval guilds. The Town Hall is closed at the time whwen weddings are held. One can also visit and see the impressive gothic gem, the Basilica of the Holy Blood which is just a few steps from the Town Hall. In the top chapel there is a relic after which the place is named and contains a vial of what is supposed to be the blod of Christ which is revealed to worshippers on special occassions. The art around these places is very impressive indeed.

Museum voor Moderne Kunst
One can also spend time viewing this fabulous museum which is located on Place Royale and has about eight floors underground. This Museum has been constructed around a light shaft from where daylight filters down. The selection of works to be found here is a mix of Belgian modernisits and foreign artists. The admission to this museum is free on the first Wednesday afternoon of each month.

The Belfry Tower of Bruges
Still considered to be one of the most dominating attractions which people like to visit for its uniqueness is the 83m high Belfry Tower and the Cloth Hall which dates back from 1240. the tower leans by an exact measurement of 83 cm (southerly) which is not visible to the eye. Now-a-days the tower has acharming influence on the visitor with the lovely music of a “carillion”, which consists of 47 bells with a combined weight of 27 tons.

Plantin-Moretus Museum
This is another unique attractive sight to visit in Belgium. This place was the patrician house of the famous painter Christoffel Plantijin. He was well known throughout Europe for quality books and prints which were distributed among the elite of the time. The place was then known as the ‘Golden Compass’. His innovations included transforming cottage-house printing into a pre-industrial enterprise. You can take a guided tour or visit this place on your own to view the old ‘Officina Plantiana’ which houses some of the oldest authentic printing presses in the world. There is also an impressive library of books.