As soon as I reached Brussels and walked to the Grand Place, on my way I spotted this spectacular building. So I stopped to photograph it. As I walked around to see its sides, something more intriguing caught my attention. The huge building is Brussels Stock Exchange which is unofficially called Bourse.
The ruins is of Recollets Convent upon which Bourse was built in 1873 by architect Leon Suys. This is very similar to the Pantheon in Paris, but very ornate. In 1874 it was inaugurated by King Leopold II.
While the ruins of Recollets Convent is open as a convent (though I didn't get to visit), the Stock Exchange is still an office and is accessible only by pre-booked guided tour.
Another place I went to was the Arcade du Cinquantenaire which is very similar to London's Wellington Arch or Paris' Arc de Triomphe. Very similar to London this too has a quadriga sculpture atop with a woman charioteer. Like most other architecture of the era, incl Grand Place, this too was built under Leopold II. It was designed by Gedeon Bordiau, & Charles Girault.
On either sides are huge, curved colonnade (sequence of pillars with a roof atop) on either sides. The most spectacular thing was that it was had wall on one side which was filled with mosaic work made by Jean Delville in 1912-32. I couldn't go up there to see it up & close, but got to see it only from the ground.
Very close to this, in the same complex is the Autoworld Museum. It has several several automobiles from late 19th C till date. There's also a setup of lorry, car & bike mechanic shed of the yester years. Its a must visit for every automobile enthusiast.
Esp when I saw the 1958 Cadillac I couldn't stop drooling!! This one was infact from the fleet of King Boudouin. There was a special exhibition of Alpine cars when I visited, displaying cars since 1950s till date. Esp Alpine M63 is just a dream! There were also the F1 cars incl Renault Alpine.
That's a Cadillac S63 convertible of 1959. Just spectacular. Errrmmmm... Does anyone want to gift it to me???
Apart from cars there were also scooters, incl Vespa of 1957. There was a 1953 Solex, a 49cc bike, which was the Belgian equivalent of our TVS 50.
As I mentioned in the earlier post, for any traveller, the best way to explore Belgium easily is by getting the Brussels Card & Transport Card which gives free entry to 37 points of interest and discounted entry in many others. Though the Brussels Card includes free rides in Hop-in Hop-off service, I prefer the public transport with buses, metro & tram, so I got an extra 1 day Transport Card. However Metro connectivity isn't that good as buses & trams.
As I mentioned in the earlier post, for any traveller, the best way to explore Belgium easily is by getting the Brussels Card & Transport Card which gives free entry to 37 points of interest and discounted entry in many others. Though the Brussels Card includes free rides in Hop-in Hop-off service, I prefer the public transport with buses, metro & tram, so I got an extra 1 day Transport Card. However Metro connectivity isn't that good as buses & trams.
To Get There:
Stock Exchange: Nearest tram/bus stop: Bourse; Nearest metro station: De Brouckere
Arch & Auto World: Nearest tram/bus stop: Gaulois, Chevalerie; Nearest metro station: Merode
Entry ticket to Autoworld: €10; Free entry with Brussels Card
P.S: I was invited by VisitBrussels to experience the city for review purpose, however the opinions are my own and this post does not to advertise the product/service.