Belgium

Belgium is situated in northwestern Europe with its borders touching Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and France. While Dutch is the official language most people speak French and German as well as English, notably in the Flemish region.

Belgium’s landscape is full of contrasts ranging from the sprawling plains in the north and the west to the rivers and gorges of the Ardennes in the southeast. Belgium boast rich forestland near the border with Germany as well as infinite stretches of sandy beaches along the northern coast. Belgium is also extremely rich in historical sites, dotted throughout the country, with churches, castles and picturesque ancient cities.

Brussels, the capital is also rich in historical heritage with the spectacular Gothic Grand Place, the St Gudule’s Cathedral, the splendid Place Royale and the Mont des Arts Park amongst many other historical and cultural sites.

Antwerp offers more traditional attractions as well as contemporary ones with the striking Grote Markt, commemorating the legend of the city’s origins and the 18th century Groenplaats, featuring the statue of Rubens. The city of Bruges is an UNESCO World Heritage site, of magnificent splendor with its Cathedral, belfry tower and 14th century town hall. Gent is yet another town which boasts many historical sites as well as Liège, whose citadel towers over the riverbank of the River Meuse. Finally do not miss Belgium’s second oldest city, Tournai, which features two UNESCO heritage buildings, the Cathedral of Our Lady and the oldest belfry in Belgium.

The climate is typically seasonal, warm from May to September with wet winters and frequent snowfalls.

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    St. Peter's Church, Leuven

    Saint Peter's Church of Leuven, Belgium, is situated on the city's Grote Markt (main market square), right across the ornate Town Hall.

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    St. Rumbold's Cathedral, Mechelen

    St. Rumbold's Cathedral is the Belgian metropolitan archiepiscopal cathedral in Mechelen, dedicated to Saint Rumbold, Christian missionary and martyr who had founded an abbey nearby.

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    Stoclet Palace

    The Stoclet Palace is a mansion in Brussels, Belgium. It was built by architect Josef Hoffmann for banker and art lover Adolphe Stoclet between 1905 and 1911 and is located in the Woluwe-Saint-Pierre area of Brussels.

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    Ten Wijngaerde (Bruges Beguinage), Bruges

    The Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde is the only preserved beguinage in the Belgian city of Bruges. There are no more Beguines living there, but since 1927 it functions as a convent for Benedictines, founded by canon Hoornaert.

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    Town Hall and Belfry, Dendermonde

    The city hall and belfry have been designated a World Heritage Site since 1999. The belfry houses a carillon and was formerly part of the Cloth Hall.

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    Town Hall and Belfry, Herentals

    Built in the 15th century by the bed sheet makers and wool painters as a dry hall. Before 1430 called 'gulde huys', 'Meethuys' and 'loterhuys', used as town hall since 1430.

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    Town Hall and Belfry, Lo

    The Old Town Hall of Lo is a historic landmark in the municipality of Lo-Reninge, in the Belgian province of West Flanders. Formerly the seat of the municipal government, the building is now a hotel and restaurant.

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    Town Hall and Belfry, Roeselare

    The rococo city hall on the central market square dates from the 18th century. The city hall, market hall, and belfry are classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site (part of Belfries of Belgium and France).

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    Town Hall, Brussels

    The Town Hall of the City of Brussels is a Gothic building from the Middle Ages. It is located on the famous Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium.

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    Town Hall, Oudenaarde

    The Town Hall of Oudenaarde, Belgium was built by architect Hendrik van Pede in 1526–1537 to replace the medieval Schepenhuis (Aldermen's House) that occupied the same site.

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    Town Hall, Sint-Truiden

    The 18th century Town Hall was built around the medieval hall and hall tower. The tower houses a newly (2002) restored 50-bell carillon and has been acknowledged by UNESCO as World Heritage.

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    Victor Horta Museum

    The Horta Museum is a museum dedicated to the life and work of the Belgian Art Nouveau architect Victor Horta and his time. The museum is housed in Horta's former house and atelier, Maison & Atelier Horta (1898), in the Brussels municipality of Saint-Gilles.