Brussels is a rich mix of old world grandeur and new-age
cosmopolitanism. It has interesting neighbours too.
On reaching the platform, after climbing the steep 226
steps, all we could see was a vast expanse of green with buildings dotting the
distant landscape. It was serene and calm. Above us, the Butte de Lion, 4.45
metres high, towered, looking towards France, marking the spot where the Prince
of Orange was injured in one of the most famous battles of history, Waterloo—both
a place and a concept. It is a small town, about 13 km from Brussels.
Waterloo offers a picturesque view from atop the Lion Mound, as
also a panorama painting of the historic battle, 110 metre in circumference.
Accompanied by the sound of canon fire, we searched for Napoleon in the
painting but were unsuccessful. Waterloo
was the last stop of our journey on the way to the airport.
Why did I begin from the time the journey ended? Maybe
because when there is barely a day to explore Brussels, recalling the city and its joys is
simpler in reverse order.
Brussels is the heart of Europe.
A city that embodies the future of Europe as host to the European Union, it
also holds some of the most historic and breathtaking monuments of old Europe. Driving through the city, the oscillation between
the new and old is frequent.
The Grand
Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the soul
of Brussels. A
walk is imperative after sunset.
Beautiful buildings dating back to the 13th century
surround a cobbled square 220x360 ft. Most of the buildings are erstwhile Guild
houses.
The BrusselsCity Hall, built in the
15th century, leaps to meet the sky, reaching a height of 96 metres. Capped by
a statue of Saint Michael slaying a demon, it is the most impressive structure
around the square. Sit on the steps of one of the buildings and watch life
flower in the square. People eat, drink, paint, recline and dream across the
square. A sense of the eternal floats around. The grandeur of the buildings is
surreal; however, the square pulsates with life. It is a magical place, to be
enjoyed holding the hand of someone you love.
Around the square, lanes lead to food courts, shops and
movie halls.
Cuisines of the world are on offer in small restaurants
that spill over to the pavements. The ambience is relaxed and casual. A left
turn from the City Hall down a lane leads to a small bronze sculpture of a
naked boy urinating into the fountain’s basin. This is the Manniken Pis, Brussels’ icon. Designed
by Jerome Duquesnoy it was installed in the early 17th century. Many legends
and stories float around the sculpture, and it makes one wonder why it has
achieved such an iconic stature.
Before giving in to the timelessness of the Grand Place, make a
dash to the Atomium. Built in 1958, it remains in design a futuristic building
even today. It is 102-metre tall, with nine steel spheres connected in a manner
that replicates in a magnified form the shape of a unit cell of an iron
crystal. Five of the spheres are exhibition spaces open to public. It is
brightly lit up at night. A walk around the amazing structure is awe-inspiring.
During the day, if time permits, drive down to Antwerp. It is a historic
and beautiful city and a hub of the world’s diamond trade. Traditionally
dominated by the Jewish community, Indians are now major players. The main
diamond street is small, and window-shopping is a delight for the dazzling
diamonds on display.
The DiamondMuseum tells the story of
diamonds from when they are mined to the point they become irresistible. The
Railway Station is the most beautiful building in Antwerp. Completed in 1905, it is a
mesmerising stone building with a vast dome over a waiting hall, with a
gilt-and-marble interior. It seems like a palace from the outside, and it is
strange to discover that it is actually a train station.
On the way back from Antwerp
we drove to a beautiful park called Parc Marie-Jose in Brussels. In a corner sits a tranquil statue
of Mahatma Gandhi with papers spread out before him. Surrounded by trees, the
installation in such a faraway place inspired a sense of pride.
That is all I could capture of Brussels on a brief visit, but it is a city
that captures the heart. With French and Dutch languages locked in a supremacy
battle, delectable Belgian chocolates, sumptuous Belgian fries and intricate
lacework, Brussels
sits on the cusp of modernity with the romance of bygone eras all meshed
together in an enchanting manner.
