Brussels, Belgium

Brussels began as a small settlement on the River Senne. Its first defensive structure was built at the end of the 10th Century, when the Duke of Lower Lorraine built a fortress there on behalf of Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor. In the 12th Century, Brussels fell under the control of the Dukes of Brabant, who allowed the city to be controlled by the wealthy Lineages, who were the tradesmen of Brussels. The Lineages refused to share power with the lower classes, which lead of the other trades revolting.  The Lineages were forced to concede and allow the trades people to form guilds and take part in the decisions of the city. 

Brussels continued to thrive due to its strategic location along the Bruges, Ghent and Cologne trade route. Eventually, the Dukes of Brabant merged through marriage with the Dukes of Burgundy, and Brussels became the regions capital.  In 1477, Brussels became part of the Spanish Empire, and the seat of the governors of Flanders until 1609, when it became the capital of the Habsburg Netherlands. It’s no wonder the region still speaks so many languages today. It is thought that the name Brussels originated from the word Broekzele, which translates to ‘settlement in the swamp'.  In the 13th Century, Brussels became known as one of the focal points of the Heresy of the Beghards, and was renowned for its tolerance.  In later years, Lutheranism and Calvinism would become widely accepted in Brussels. 

In 1229, Brussels received its ‘Town Rights’, which meant that it could govern itself independently as a city. Town privileges also meant that Brussels could have a marketplace and collect its own taxes. It was probably at this time that the city walls were erected.  One has to look very closely to find remains of medieval Brussels today, but there is a little bit of it still standing. The Tour Anneessens is part of the remains of the city’s defences.  It is located at the foot of the Sablon, along the Boulevard de l’ Empereur. 

The odd little statue, which Brussels is famous for today, began its life as a public fountain. The earliest mention of the Manneken Pis, is from an administrative document dating from the mid-15th Century. The fountain was part of the drinking water system in Brussels since the 15th Century.  It was also depicted in paintings in 1615 and 1616, and in one he is dressed as a shepherd.  The early statue was replaced by a new bronze version, which was commissioned in 1619 by the city. A document from 1451 calles it ‘daer dmenneken pist’, which translates to: ‘the place where the child takes a pee.’

The statue itself is only 24 inches tall, and managed to survive the destruction of 1695. It was just after this that a text, which still survives, recounts the Manneken Pis as an ‘object of glory appreciated by all and renowned throughout the world.’ While that may be somewhat of an exaggeration, it does seem that by 1695 the statue was already thought of as a symbol of Brussels.  The little statue also has a long tradition of changing outfits.  This may have started after the first attempted theft in 1747, when some Frenchmen were stationed in Brussels.  Having taken the statue, the people rebelled and threatened revenge.  To calm the situation, it is said the Louis XI offered a gentleman’s gown, of brocade with gold embroidery, to Manneken Pis.  By the 18th Century, the statue was being dressed at least four times a year. Today the statue still dresses in costumes, but now it's several times a week. His outfits are managed by the Friends of Manneken Pis, who review hundreds of designs each year and select a small number.  His wardrobe now consists of around 100,000 different costumes. 

Brussels also has one of the oldest shopping arcades in the world. The Galeries Royales Saint Hubert, was designed and built by architect Jean Pierre Cluysenaer, between 1846 and 1847.  The long street like courtyard is covered with a dome roof which is more than 200 meters (660 feet) long.