They were called Belgi here. Popular inexpensive cigarettes are also called BELGA.
Everyone here smokes decently. WE WILL SMOKE, BUT WE DO NOT STOP DRINKING!
Then the Romans came.
They conquered the Celts, sawed down stone houses, bridges, roads, water pipes, writing, theater and other culture and civilization.
Since then, there has been a tradition of a network of good roads.
They are still free and covered, which the Belgians are proud of.
But what about: Belgian highway system visible from the moon.
The natives began to slowly mix with the Romans and speak Latin.
Because speaking Celtic is breaking your language.
But then the good life ended.
The Germanic tribe of Franks bent over the local population.
Then, for a long time, various Spaniards, Dutch, and French bent him down.
In 1555 Belgium became ... a gift. It was presented to Philip II by his generous dad, Karl the Bold.
And this is the waterloo pole-field
On it the French army of Napoleon in 1815, there was a kirdyk.
124 cities around the world have been named Waterloo.
Another curious fact - I live here. ...
The town of Waterloo is located just 20 km from Brussels.
Tourists bring down here to take a picture in the background
the main attraction is Lion's Hill.
From the guns thrown by Napoleon's army, they melted a formidable lion, hoisted it to the top of the mountain, turned its muzzle towards the French neighbor, with a hint - "don't get lost!"
In the summer, real-scale staged battles are held here.
With uniforms, sabers, cockades, garrisons from abroad are being pulled up.
And from Russia with love too.
This is a real kingdom. With a crowned surname - for beauty and chic.
The Belgians joke that there are only two Belgians left in the country - the King and the racer Eddie Merckx.
National holiday and non-working day on July 21.
What they celebrate - no one really knows.
But flags are hanging on the balconies. They like it here - to hang flags.
Belgium was a colonial power in the past.
Aborigines are passionately nostalgic for the bygone luxury -
they, too, are offended for the state.
Antwerp is considered the world capital of diamonds.
The port of Antwerp is considered the fourth largest seaport in the world.
It is also one of the most famous cities of art.
Oil paints were invented in Belgium.
For the first time in the world, print newspapers were published in Antwerp.
Already in 1605.
The symbol of Brussels does not need advertising.
Two inches from the pot, a bronze boy - Manneken Pis, peeing, extinguishes the fire.
There is also a pissing girl - Janneke Peace.
She sat down in front of Delirium Café, the Red Heat Cafe.
They love urban sculptures on the theme - "life as it is".
They did not forget about the peeing mongrel - Zinneke.
In terms of the number of various national holidays and festivals, Brussels is ahead of many European cities. Residents are ready to have fun, sing and dance in the city squares from dawn until late at night.
The Belgians are said to have a brick in their stomach. Blood from your nose, but build your home.
And the Belgians are also passionate cat-dog.
Every fourth family has a dog or cat.
Brussels has the world's largest Palace of Justice- just a giant cake.
But this does not affect the quality of justice in any way.
The first pawnshop in Europe was opened in Brussels.
Belgium is the first country in continental Europe where a railway was built.
Belgium has more ministers than the former USSR.
The premier here is the first in the world - blue, and this is absolutely purple for the Belgians.
Belgium is one of the countries in the world where the law allows:
homosexual marriage
euthanasia
carry up to 3 grams of marijuana
Voting is compulsory and even mandatory.
The smallest salary of a member of the government is about 230 thousand euros per year.
The Belgian parliament has the largest number of female ministers in the world. Belgians consider themselves lucky: The average life expectancy in Belgium is 78.29.
They live on an average salary in 2011 of 2.837 euros "dirty".
The income tax is one of the highest in the world.
The climate here is pleasant: it is not hot in winter, and neither in summer.
Almost half of all days in the year are rainy.
Snow falls high in the Ardennes, where there are plenty of trails for dummies.
Those who do not speak French or, even more so, Dutch, please do not disturb:
English is widely spoken in Brussels - the regulation obliges:
Brussels is also the capital of the European Union (EU).
In addition, the NATO headquarters is located in Brussels.
(note):
on its territory, former Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation RogozinI decided to plant a poplar.
With a hint of the Russian Topol-M missile system. But the alliance did not give the go-ahead.
Brussels people are sociable and welcoming, however it is better to avoid talking about:
government, royal family and inter-ethnic relations.
The indigenous people should in no way be compared with the inhabitants of France.
Also, don't copy their accent, it's taboo.
At the beginning of July, the colorful folklore festival of Ommegang takes place in Brussels.
On the day of the celebration, locals dress up in beautiful medieval costumes.
The main action of the holiday takes place on Sablon Square.
We go to the Rollebeek28 gallery and get acquainted.
There are about 50,000 Russians in Belgium.
These are different waves of emigration: the descendants of white officers,
The Union of Nobles, illegal immigrants and those who came, stayed and strive to legalize themselves in fact.
The latter are called "people without papers."
Brussels, by virtue of its status, is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.
In principle, you can live here without knowing French.
It is customary here to solve all problems on your own. The northern people do not care about matches and salt.
In the northern part of the country "Integration Courses" are compulsory for all foreigners,
arriving for permanent residence in Flanders. This wise law does not apply to Brussels.
Famous Belgians
At the entrance to the Brussels restaurant BELGA QUEEN there is a plaque of honor for the country's children. 
Van Eyck, Rubens, Van Dyck,
both Bruegels, James Ensor,
Rene Magritte and Caesar Frank
we will not remember in vain.
- Who doesn't know Salvatore Adamo
- with his "tombelyanezh",
- Jacques Brel,
- Georges Simenon,
- Jean-Claude van Damme?
jazzmanTuts Thielemans-
author of the jazz standard "Bluesette",
django reinhardt, Jacqui X-
multiple champion of Formula 1,
cyclist Eddie Merckx,
footballer Enzo Schifo and tennis champions
- Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters, writers Amelie Nothomb and Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt -
- they all come from Belgium. ...
- Let's not forget that the Saxophone was invented by the Belgian Adolphe Sax.
It is served at the Cannes Film Festival and at the presidential talks.
Belgium produces a hell of a lot of chocolate a year - about 220,000 tons.
And the Belgians eat it 6 kg per person per year! V Bruges has a Chocolate Museum.
The first pralines (sweets stuffed with caramelized grated almonds, which were adored by the ambassador of Louis XVIII to Belgium, Duke du Plessis-Praline) were invented by the Belgian Jean Neuhaus
He also came up with the so-called Ballotins, typical boxes for packaging pralines.
The Atomium is in the top 10 of the most unusual buildings in the world at the 1st place.
Inside there is a restaurant with panoramic views of Brussels.
Brussels Opera La Monnaie is recognized as “ Opéra de l "année"- the best Opera House of the year.
The heart of all comics in Europe beats here in Brussels.
Hergé, author of "Tintin", is from Belgium.
The very first book was called "Tintin in the Land of Soviets" and had the most anti-Soviet character. The original Tintin comic strip in America was auctioned off for $ 1.6 million in days.
You can see comics everywhere, even on the walls of houses in the center of the city.
Belgians are great fun lovers.
Brussels hasunusual museum. The exhibits of the museum are celebrity underwear and panties.
The main condition is that the owner must wear them for at least a day.
And each pair comes with a certificate of authenticity.
From world celebrities, visitors will recognize in a new perspective the King of Belgium Albert II, Princess Diana, Margaret Thatcher and Nicolas Sarkozy.
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Trying to find facts about the life of Russians in Belgium in the vastness of the world wide web, I came across a lot of hard-hitting reviews both about the very existence in the country, and the Belgian attitude towards life, work, children, etc. It cannot be said that absolutely all Russians share negative information and its overwhelming majority, I was only alarmed by the fact that in the negative statements about Belgium from various bloggers there is a single thread, which means they are quite believable. It's just that some are too categorical, others have added "peppercorns", and still others have not been in the country long enough to get used to the new.
So, about the moments that cause, if not shock, then an unpleasant surprise.
Most Belgian men are very reserved and independent. Moreover, independence is fully revealed after he finds himself an eternal life companion. As one Russian émigré, who for some time has been married to a prominent representative of a Belgian man, said, the views on family life for many here are completely unacceptable for most Russians. It is not customary here to spend evenings together, walk with children, and gather for dinner with the whole family - everyone dines at a convenient time for him, at a convenient time he goes to bed, not bothering to wait for his spouse to at least say hello to her. Moreover, in rare fleeting dates, not one day can pass, but a whole working week. Sometimes there is no question of a matrimonial bed - each family member must have a separate place to rest, where they spend most of their nights. A Belgian spouse is an extremely independent and self-sufficient woman who only rarely takes her husband's surname, certainly has her own bank account and does not ask her husband about those things that are usually discussed in a normal Russian family (like the place and time where to go to rest summer).
It is surprising in Belgian women that they do not at all try to become more feminine and beautiful. Make-up on a woman can be seen only if a particularly solemn event is planned in a restaurant, short skirts and heels - and even less often. By the way, with all this, it is quite surprising that the average Belgian prefers to remain faithful to his wife, and if the irreparable happened and he cheated, then he will almost certainly start talking about divorce.
Family ties in Belgium are a moment worth writing about. So most Belgians may not meet with their parents for half a year, while living with them literally on the same street and passing by their house every day. Based on this, it is not surprising that the Belgian's wife sometimes does not know her husband's parents until a certain day, which may be the birth of a child. True, this is not always the case - a man who loves his wife and considers her a worthy companion in his life may well take her to meet her mother, as an exception.
The Belgians do not have a reverent attitude towards their parents (while the Belgians love and respect their parents!), Mostly due to the fact that children, upon reaching the age of majority, are literally escorted out of the house. In addition to the fact that this practice is ubiquitous here, parents consider themselves to be in no obligation to their child and, even being wealthy enough, will not help. To borrow money, a Belgian would rather take a loan than turn to his parents for help, who are able to give him the necessary amount, without denying themselves the usual pleasures - such an option would never occur to any normal Belgian.
The attitude towards their own children is also explained by state policy - in Belgium, as in many other developed countries, there is practically no maternity leave. The time allotted for caring for a newborn is only two weeks, after which the woman must look for escape routes - such as a short vacation, unpaid leave, or hiring a nanny. Hearing from a Russian woman about how she takes care of a child, some Belgians express sincere bewilderment - they say, why get up at night with a child if he cries a little and comes to the point that he is supposed to sleep at night on his own. Among the Belgians, it is considered an absolute norm that from the age of three months a child finds himself in a nursery, where he will have to spend all his happy childhood.
By the same principle, Belgians act in relation to their elderly parents - they spend their last days in nursing homes. This is not to say that children abandon old people. No. They regularly pay for the maintenance and occasionally visit ...
An interesting feature of the locals is also different in terms of relationships with friends. So not everyone will allow themselves to come to visit without an invitation and prior agreement - after all, they may not only be happy with you, but even be able not to let you into the house, motivating for various reasons. If you want to visit - give two weeks' notice, and before that it is customary to spend your free time mowing lawns, watching TV and Internet sites.
Due to the fact that Belgium is divided into three linguistic communities, sometimes when describing the Belgians it is necessary to specify to which of them this or that characteristic belongs.
So the Flemish people have the utmost clarity of thought, which makes them incredibly, so to speak, correct. They are not late even if they need to come by five in the morning, they don’t cross the road outside the footpaths, even if they go three hundred meters to the nearest one, they don’t contradict each other, while remaining at their own opinion.
The most reverent and special attitude of the Belgians is not at all to their relatives, but to money. A passbook for many is one of the most important documents, where at least 15% of income goes every month.
Like every nation, the Belgians, or rather the Flemings, have their own characteristics.
It is interesting that for all his punctuality, the Fleming will almost certainly be late for some holiday (so that they would not think that he is the hungriest) - such is their fantasy ...
Most Belgians are quite friendly to representatives of Russian emigrants. Today, “ours” are loved more than, say, Turks or Moroccans, which is explained by similar cultural and religious differences: Russians are rarely content with social security provided by the state, and therefore strive to work; are considered sufficiently educated, and Russian women do not wear headscarves. And although they are unlikely to be immediately accepted into their team with open arms, they will remain cool and polite even if the new employee did not like it.
True, there are those who, having heard a clear accent or Russian speech, at the moment switch to an arrogant instructive tone and their facial expression is replaced by a contemptuous one.
But no matter how well the Fleming treats, a kind and loyal friend will never work out of him. And the point is not at all that his acquaintance is a representative of another nation, there is simply no such thing as friendship. Good relationships are limited to going to clubs or other pleasant pastime, but they have not heard about self-sacrifice and similar things here.
So, for example, if a Belgian says "I am treating", this means that the next glass must be at the expense of the interlocutor, otherwise he will remain stingy forever and ever. The same applies to the "free service" - you will definitely have to pay for this in the future.
When you are in society, you cannot talk quietly - otherwise the nearby Belgian will decide that it is he who is being discussed at the moment. Suspiciousness is a special quality of local residents. At the same time, they stubbornly avoid open quarrels and only in completely serious situations can they turn to screaming.
If it speaks about the economic side of the life of the Belgians, then most of them, about 90%, belong to the middle class with an average standard of living, which allows at least once a year to travel, have their own house, stuffed with high-quality furniture and appliances, a car for everyone. an adult family member.
Overall, the Belgian nation is not bad. She's just special, unique, unique ...
1) Belgians are not patriots, many do not know the Belgian anthem and do not like the Belgiansfrom neighboring areas. Although in our eyes they are all the same, the Belgians themselves
can easily understand from which area a person is from his speech and habits.
Residents of any region of Belgium consider residents of other regions a little
dull, they all share a common love of making fun of the Dutch
2) Beer in Belgium is a national religion. Beer is not drunk only for breakfast. but
already from 10 o'clock in the morning they drink constantly. If alcohol, then it's just beer. Everything, that
not Belgian beer, then urine, especially Dutch. Worst Heiniken beer.
Most respected Duvel. The coolest guys drink it
3) Beer comes in two sizes - small 0.25 and large 0.33. Half a liter you
you will hardly find it anywhere, not to mention our national baklahs. WITH
three "big" beers already the Belgians are quite drunk.
4) Girls drink beer no less than guys. And this is not bad manners.
5) The main national dish is French fries or French fries. Here
it is called either belgian fries or just deep fried. Eat it with mayonnaise
and everywhere, in bags, similar to a package from a newspaper from which earlier
we ate seeds. Any Belgian will tell that Americans are the first time
tried fries when we were in Belgium at the end of WWII
and french fries, it is called from the verb to french-cut, and has nothing to do with
France
6) Sterility in Belgium is a dubious concept Any food will be served to you or
put on a plate with your hands, if you order, for example, shawarma, you need meat
will put their hands in it, then they will take money with the same hands and can still
much to do
7) Things are very dismissive. They can easily throw the jacket on
the ground or walking in torn and dirty.
8) The concept of style and fashion is very different from ours. Girls don't wear
heels and cutouts, wear torn tights and combine colors that
they give the impression that they are on LSD.
9) Very strong feminism in society. Girls are absolutely equal with guys, from
what do they themselves suffer, guys don't know how to approach girls from what
watch a lot of porn. 
10) If you have a girlfriend, then you are cool. Because the girl is the guarantor of that.
that you have sex and it is viewed in about the same way, which is wild for us.
Sometimes you get the impression that the relationship in Belgium is just a camaraderie.
on sex and that's it, although of course there are exceptions.
11) Belgian women are very scary. And those who seem to be not very scary are very
trying to look scary and dressing even worse. If you met on the street
a beautiful girl, she is either Turkish or ours.
12) The concept of a gentleman is absent here. Skip the girl forward, open
a door or helping to carry heavy things is something impossible. There is a company from
girls and boys and girls carry a box of beer - this is the norm.
13) A bicycle is a normal means of transportation. Here everyone drives them and
grandparents over 80 and children over 2 years old. All large centers and train stations have parking
for bicycles, there are thousands of them. If you rent an apartment, you will definitely
it says if there is a parking lot for a bike at the house. 
14) Belgians are a very athletic nation. Running, cycling is very popular
and hockey, if you say hockey, then everyone thinks about the summer form
sports on the grass. 
15) Speaking of grass, the picture is young people sitting in the city center on the embankment and
smokes in a circle a joint is absolutely normal. Although, soft drugs are prohibited.
16) Belgians get up very early. On weekends at 8 a.m. there is a queue at the bakery for
fresh bread is a normal story.
17) Belgians think very narrowly, if there is a law or tradition, they will be it
follow no matter how stupid she is. Creative or out-of-the-box thinking
rarity
18) In general, the Belgians are very polite and friendly, but sometimes clearly
chur. For example, you will never be directly sent to hell, but they will say something like
the following: "I would not in any way want to offend you, or hurt your
feelings, but it seems to me that you'd better go to hell, of course, if you don't
if you want, you can not go. But I think you will feel comfortable there. "
19) Belgians usually get married late, at the age of 30, before that they mostly,
consider themselves young and live quite carelessly
20) They love to travel. Asia is especially held in high esteem.
21) Awareness about Russia, good, but an idea of our country,
of course funny. It was extremely surprising to me that when I said that I was from
Russia, the first reaction was - great, I have long wanted to drive along the Trans-Siberian
highways, and only then vodka, putin, communism
22) In general, the attitude towards Russians is rather negative - if a man, then a bandit, if
girl, then of easy virtue. And to break this stereotype in their heads extremely
hard
23) There are a lot of Turks and Arabs in Belgium. The attitude towards them is very cool,
but if you ask the Belgians how they feel about them, you will hear a memorized
a tirade about how happy they are and how they don't see the difference. But if you come up with the same
questions to drunk Belgians, the answer will be completely different.
24) There are a lot of lesbians and gays in Belgium. And in that order. I AM
I associate this with not the most courageous men, although there may be a reason for
friend
25) By the way, the Prime Minister of Belgium is also gay 
26) Belgium is divided into two large parts of Dutch-speaking Flanders (where
I live) and French-speaking Walonia. Flemish with disdain
belong to the Valonians and consider them to be something like a servant 
27) Most Flemings speak English, Dutch and French.
The Valonians speak only French, and that, according to the Flemish,
Badly.
28) All Belgians will tell you that they speak Flemish, and not
in Dutch. In fact, they are one and the same language.
29) Antwerp residents are considered the most arrogant snobs
30) No one ever blinds the windows, even on the first floors, you always
see what is happening in someone else's apartment
31) At home, no one takes off their shoes, not even boots. Will sit, sweat, but will not take off
32) Belgians eat hot food once a day. Usually lunch or dinner is just
sandwich
33) Belgium, like France, are the only countries in the world that are not
use qwerty keyboard, instead they type on azerty keyboard,
I must say, an extremely inconvenient and illogical thing 
33) Blow their nose very loudly in any setting. Sometimes it feels like
that a howitzer shell exploded next to you, but no, it blew my nose
petite girl.
34) With a sense of humor, it's hard here, the concept of sarcasm is absent, as a class. So,
if a person is joking, then he adds after the humor itself, the phrase - it was
joke, otherwise, in reality, many may not understand
35) The boundaries of decency are quite low. Everybody just undresses and that's it,
absolutely everything, saunas, spas and relaxation pools are adjacent and prohibited
walk in swimsuits and cover up. I unknowingly fell into an extremely dumb
the situation associated with this.
36) The bar of permissibility in humor, by our standards, is low among the Belgians. V
rather formal setting, you can easily hear the choicest vulgarity
and crap
37) Belgians are very hardy. Girl in minus one in ballerinas on
a bare leg and a guy in shorts is an everyday occurrence.
38) The Belgians have everything according to plan. Each person has a diary, and all meetings
negotiated in about two weeks. Just drop in drunk at one in the morning
to a friend is unlikely to succeed.
39) Belgium has very strong trade unions, so strikes are very frequent. Per
the last two months, public transport, schools and
other government agencies. Reasons for strikes by our standards
just ridiculous.
40) The Belgians are very honest people and everything here is based on the word of honor,
Nobody gives receipts, checks, etc. here.
41) Belgians are very fond of consensus, because they are afraid of offending someone. When
you tell them that it is impossible to please everyone, they will not understand this, and most likely,
will take, in their opinion, a fair decision. Which really won't be anyone
arrange.
42) All shops are open until 5-6, after this time you can shoot. If
if you buy furniture, delivery only works from 9-5 and only on weekdays. After all
it's unfair that someone will work late and some will not
43) Belgium has very high taxes, about 45%, the government has repeatedly
tried to lower it, but the majority of the population is against it, because the majority
population in Belgium does not work, but lives on welfare.
But in general. Belgium would be a great country if ours lived in it,
true then - it would be Russia)
The Belgian man is darkness for many. My limited European experience includes five Belgians, one Dutchman and the only classical Frenchman. The sample is small, but sufficient to highlight the main qualities and explain why I give my preference to them.
My acquaintance with the secret Belgian soul began with my husband. Then, in the summer, in St. Petersburg, my gaze immediately fell on a tall, curly-haired blond man, bewilderedly walking along the Nevsky in search of food. And then I, a classic compassionate young lady, also, by the way, curly, immediately took the "baby" under my wing.
The conservative Patrick turned his nose up at the proposed dumplings, okroshka and pancakes. I had to take him home and feed him there. From that moment our story began.
Standing at the Brussels airport, I peered into the crowd. The male audience clearly prevailed, but what is there! All the handsome men are daring, the giants are young, all are equal as to the selection ... I did not immediately notice my curly hair in this pretty company.
international airport in Brussels
A moment of demographic statistics: theoretically, every Belgian madame is supposed to have 1.5 times of a real Belgian man. This injustice has led women to believe that in any case they will not be left without a man, and they do not make much effort to acquire attractiveness. The opposite sex spends hours in front of the mirror, in the gym and is desperately engaged in self-education in order to be at least someone chosen.
Add the absorbed feminism with your mother's milk, and you will feel painfully sorry for these cute giants, and you will rush into their arms without hesitation.
It happened to me too. They made me a marriage proposal while lying on the couch. That is, he was lying, and I was standing. But such sincere, confused words have not poured into my unspoiled ears for a long time, and without much hesitation I said "yes!"
Lovers statue in Belgium
In terms of love and romance, by the way, miracles and passion from the Belgians should not be expected. They will not freeze with prudence, like the Dutch, but they will not suffocate with amor, like the French. But not particularly spoiled by female beauty, they will be delighted with you even in the early morning! An invaluable advantage, right?
Quite unexpectedly, we realized that there would be three of us soon. While I was sobbing over the former flatness of my abdomen, Paprikash ran around the shops, buying up sliders, decorated the nursery, went to Holland for diapers (just read it!) And installed the I’m expecting application on his brutal smartphone.
Every morning, hanging over the toilet, I listened to enthusiastic stories about what stage of development our lou-lu is at. Patrick took all the trouble on himself, moreover, he was with me until the last, and then fought with his mother-in-law for the right to be the first to change the diaper.
Paprikash was not afraid of poop or unexpected fountains. It was also impossible to take him with colics and brieks. He was the first to introduce complementary foods, while I was running for a manicure, clearly taught my son to crawl, and then exhaustedly fell asleep in an embrace with our little one.
The only thing Patrick regretted was that his mammary glands were not adapted to lactation.
But then the opposite rule also applies: mom is the same dad. Therefore, upon the initiative to hang the picture, no one will take the hammer away from you, be prepared.
Belgium is rich in beautiful cities that captivate tourists with their medieval architecture with cobbled streets. Some names are widely known, others are still to be discovered by many travelers while visiting this country. Belgium is a small country, and there are no large cities comparable in scale to the world's large cities. And, nevertheless, there are at least a dozen and a half charming towns that are worth a tourist to discover.
We present a list of beautiful and interesting cities in Belgium that are worth visiting.
Brussels
Grand Place in Brussels (photo: @kaustubh_ambegaokar)The capital of Belgium, the heart of Europe with the headquarters of many major international organizations, including NATO and the European Union. Its grandiose medieval Grand Place is one of the most beautiful in the world.
The Atomium is a symbol of modern Brussels (photo: @goelrohan) No less impressive for tourists is the huge Atomium, which has the fame of the "Belgian Eiffel Tower" - some hate this attraction, others adore it.
Bruges
Bruges - inspiring medieval beauty (photo: @stefanrusie) The center of West Flanders, Bruges is located on the shores of the North Sea, about 25 kilometers from the border with the Netherlands. Bruges is considered one of the most atmospheric and picturesque European cities due to its well-preserved examples of medieval architecture and numerous waterways.
Picturesque Bruges (photo: @ kp_25) The city is cut by canals, which is why it is often called the "Venice of the North".
Antwerp
Grote Markt - Antwerp's central square (photo: @ cjcleary62) A beautiful medieval Belgian city on the Scheldt (Esco) river, adjacent to the border with the Netherlands in the north. Antwerp is the largest city in Flanders and the twin city of St. Petersburg.
View of Our Lady of Antwerp Cathedral (photo: @ cjcleary62) Among the numerous historical architectural monuments in Antwerp, there is a monument to Peter the Great.
Ghent
A city in the northern part of Belgium, about 60 kilometers from Brussels and Antwerp, the capital of East Flanders. Historical sources confirm the existence of a settlement on the site of Ghent as early as the 7th century.
View of Ghent (photo: @dave_franz) The city has many cathedrals and castles dating from the early Middle Ages, which form the face of the modern city.
Graslei embankment in Ghent (photo: @ jurgen.dc) Namur
Namur, view of the Meuse River (photo: @zepjbb) The capital of Wallonia, Namur is located on both sides of the Meuse River.
Cityscape of Namur (photo: @ me.rekuc) Along with the walls of a huge medieval fortress, the river, bridges and ancient architecture form the dark charm of the city.
Liège
Liege (photo: @haris__st) Liege can hardly be called a city of Belgium, which must be visited, because they are not distinguished by the concentration of interesting sights.
Residential area of Liege (photo: @ insta_ph1ll) However, it would be wrong to ignore it, if only because of the Church of St. Bartholomew and Liege Cathedral.
Ostend
Sandy beach of Ostend (photo: @ geoffrey_vandereecken1) Major port of Belgium on the North Sea coast.
Fort Napoleon in Ostend (photo: @ reistips.nl) Ostend is known not so much for its architectural sights as for its wide sandy beaches, which made it the most famous northern resort in Europe.
Mons
Belfroy Tower at Mons (photo: @cm_mv) Industrial city in the western part of Belgium, 20 minutes from the border with France.
Medieval architecture of Mons (photo: @kamciuuu) In addition to the many industrial enterprises in Mons, the city is not devoid of architectural charm, whose face is shaped by buildings in the Gothic and Baroque style.
Charleroi
Charleroi Town Hall (photo: @trasigor) One of the five largest cities in Belgium is much younger than the rest - it was founded only in 1666. Charleroi does not captivate with its architecture, but it can boast of interesting museums.
Among them are the museum of photography, fine arts, glass, archeology, and the center of scientific culture.
Leuven
Leuven's central square (photo: @isabelledb) Until the 16th century, the old university was considered the best in Europe, which largely influenced the status of the city. Today Leuven is a large university and brewing center in Belgium.
Rue Leuven (photo: @jyfallon) Since the 18th century, brewing began to develop here, and the famous variety, and then the Stella Artois brand, was born here.
Tour
Central square with fountains in Tournai (photo: @cmcass) A city in the west of Belgium, adjacent to the border with France, just half an hour from Lille. Tournai's main attraction is the Romanesque Cathedral of Notre Dame, an episcopal residence and one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe.
View of the square with fountains in Tournai (photo: @chloe_oreo) Tournai is considered the oldest city in Belgium: there are references to it in ancient Roman sources.
Kortrijk
The architectural eclecticism of Kortrijk (photo: @julietoulotte) Historic city located on both sides of the Lees River, 15 minutes from the French border.
Broel Towers in Kortrijk (photo: @ arina2806) The main attraction and symbols of Kortrijk are the massive medieval Broel towers, located on both sides of the bridge over the river.
Dendermonde
Dendermonde Street (photo: @delijn) Even though Dendermonde is less well-known than the top-of-the-list Belgium cities, it has plenty to shine in front of the curious traveler. In addition to churches, abbeys, museums and city markets, there are many interesting objects of urban sculpture.
The main and most beautiful attraction of Dendermonde is the 14th century town hall, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Vernet
Wörne architecture (photo: @gezgintilkinet) A small but picturesque town in the northwest of Belgium, very close to the French border, 20-30 minutes from Dunkirk.
Wörne central square (photo: @fotonathalie) Vernet fascinates with medieval architecture, and its central square makes it similar to the major cities of Belgium, including its capital.
Durbuy
Aerial view of Durbuy (photo: @flo__launay) Durbuy is called the smallest city in the world, but today it is nothing more than a tribute to historical traditions and an attractive slogan for tourists.
Durbuy's landscape ((photo: @mvrbiest) It might get lost on the map of Belgium and many have never heard of it at all, but Durbuy is well worth taking a stroll through its medieval cobbled streets and capturing its delightful landscapes.
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