Place des Martyrs or Martyrs square was completed in 1775 on a spot that used to be filled with green grass where drapers came to lay their fabrics to dry.
This statue is to remember and honor the death of the 455 patriots who died a Martyrs death in the 1830 uprising
The four angels that surround the statue are there to look after them in their eternal resting place
Here is the monument to Count Frédéric de Mérode
He was wounded near Bercherm in 1830 and later died of his wounds
Porte de Hal is the only surviving of the original seven gates set to protect the city of Brussels within a wall. This medieval construction was build from 1357 to 1373 and was only spared from demolition when the second town walls were dismantled because its vocation had previously been changed into a prison. It now serves as a museum that holds art collections from the Royal Museum of Arts and History.
Here at a distance
A bit closer up
Back entrance
From one side
and now the other
Here at the main entrance
The Brussels stock exchange (la Bourse de Commerce) was finished being built in 1873 and is situated in a busy part of the city that is bustling with activity day & night.
Arriving from the Boul. Antoine Dansaert catching my first glimpse of the Brussels Stock Exchange
Here a closer view of the portico and its imposing columns
On the very top you can see the sculpture: ‘teaching commercial and industrial Expansion’ by Jacques Jacquet
More sculpture details that you can see as you walk around the stock exchange
Each side of the entrance is flanked with a Lion that represents power and domination
View from one of it’s corners
Full frontal view
La bourse de Bruxelles At dusk
Last one this time from a bit of the side
I decided today to post some close up pictures of the Town Hall so you could see the fantastic work of art it is. Here’s a look at the ‘hotel de ville’ from a distance. It dates back quite some time since it’s first foundation-stone was laid in 1401.
The left wing
Now the right wing
Here on top of the main entrance you can see sculptures of the demon being slain by St. Michael
The Archangel Saint Michael is a key figure as he is the patron saint of Brussels
The amount of detail in these sculptures is fascinating
The gargoyles overlooking us have always been one of my old time favorites
More of these sculptures…
Opened not even a week ago I decided to go for a little stroll this afternoon along the Brussels Christmas market (marché de Noel).For those of you who might be interested it’s opened until the 1st of January this year.
My first stop at the Grand place of Brussels which is for those of you who never been here the center of the town.
Thats once again quite a Christmas tree they managed to get this year
The town hall has also been decorated with its very own blue Christmas lights
Nativity scene
Wow the baby Jesus made it early this year 😉
Leaving the Grand Place and going along the Stock exchange is where the market starts here at a hot chocolate stand
wooden toys
This one specializing in all types of dry sausages
Toy figurines
Pancakes anyone?
Belgian waffles or pies sold here
Warm spiced wine (glühwein) served with tartiflette savoyarde which is French specialty dish made of pork meat, potatoes & cheese
Now at St. Catherine square the Christmas market continues where this years guest host the Reunion Island is featured
Here is where the main portion of the Christmas market is at the ‘marché au poissons’ or old fish market
Famous soap products from the Southern region of France and the city of Marseille
Russian arts and crafts
Another sausage vendors
Carousel with a view of the ferris wheel in the back
ice rink where one can rent his skates
Lamps made out of Salt sold here
it’s a pretty long Christmas market at this location as it goes on both sides of the old fish market
The ferris wheel from closer up
Various kinds of Foie gras sold here which is made of duck liver
View of the other side of the marché au poissons
One side church of St. Catherine seen from the Christmas market
More for the dry sausage lovers
Here you can see if you zoom in of what the tartiflette is actually made of since a big batch is being cooked and tasted by the Chef 🙂
Here is the forty meter long ice monster for kids
