Activities - Culture

Brussels is a cultural centre with many facets.
Whether you are interested in architecture, museums, concert halls or theatres, Brussels can offer you something, no matter what your interests are.

DISCOVER BRUSSELS FROM A BIRD'S VIEW
Some places from where you can enjoy beautiful views of Brussels:

• Place du Congrès
• Dôme de la Basilique nationale du Sacré-Coeur (de Koekelberg)
  Adresse; Parvis de la Basilique - 1083 Brussels - Tel: +32.2.425 88 22
  Open: Monday to Friday 11 am to 3 pm., closed November to February
  Entrance: Price on request.

Monuments that are illuminated in the evenings - Until 0h30

• the Stock Exchange
• the St. Michael and Gudule Cathedral
• the Colonne du Congrès
• the Brigittines Church
• the Church of La Madeleine
• the Church of St. Nicolas
• the Church of St. Catherine
• the Grand Place (until 2 am)
• the Hotel Ravenstein
• the Manneken Pis (until dawn)
• the Royal Opera and Theatre
• the "Tour Noire"
  

Theatres and Concert Halls

The Capital's Biggest Cinemas

• Kinepolis ( parc du Heysel ) 28 theatres
  20, avenue du Centenaire, 1020 Brussels – Tel.: 0900.352.41
• UGC de Brouckère ( 5 minutes from the Hotel La Madeleine) 12 theatres
  38, Place de Brouckère, 1000 Brussels – Tel.: 0900.299.30
• UGC Toison d’Or ( 5 minutes from the Hotel Chambord ) 16 theatres
  8, Avenue de la Toison d’Or, 1050 Brussels – Tel.: 0900.299.30
  

L'Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau is an artistic movement that was active around 1890- 1910. The Art Nouveau style was opposed to the dominant style that depended heavily on classical role models. The Art Nouveau Movement was active throughout Europe, but Brussels was the centre of this movement. Leading figures from Brussels include the architects Paul Hankar, Victor Horta and Henri Van de Velde.
Main characteristics: Art was perfectly incorporated into architecture, interior design and furniture making. The movement was full of vitality and movement, new, revolutionary shapes and materials. It was a zeal for beauty and refinement. There are still a large number of examples for the Art Nouveau style in Brussels. They are mainly around the Grand Place and its surroundings:

• Les Magasins Waucquez,
  built in 1903 by Victor Horta
  Location: Rue des Sables 20, 1000 Brussels
  Caracteristics: The combination of art and style on a building that was used as storage.
  Today, the building houses the Belgian Centre for Comics

Comic Murals
The murals listed below are mainly concentrated in and around the Quartier de la Grand Place

Art in the Underground
Some Metro stations in Brussels are also art galleries. Here are some examples

• Sept Ecritures by Pierre Alechinsky et Christian Dotremont
  Station ANNEESSENS - Line North - South
• Nos vieux trams Bruxellois by Paul Delvaux
  Station BOURSE - Line North - South