City of Brussels, Capital municipality in Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium
Description
The City of Brussels is the central municipality of the Brussels-Capital Region in Belgium, encompassing several distinct urban districts. The medieval core forms the center, surrounded by sprawling neighborhoods with wide boulevards and residential streets extending toward the southern outskirts.
History
The settlement began in 580 when a small chapel was built on a river island, attracting the first inhabitants. By the 13th century, the place grew into an important trading town and received municipal rights, consolidating its economic role.
Culture
In most neighborhoods, French-speaking and Dutch-speaking communities live alongside one another, which shows in the bilingual street signs and public announcements. Visitors often notice that shopkeepers and waiters switch effortlessly between both languages depending on who is in front of them.
Practical
The central train station offers direct connections to several European capitals and links to the city metro system. Pedestrians can cross the historic center in less than 30 minutes, while public transport also reaches outlying neighborhoods.
Did you know?
The municipal administration covers two separate territories: the main area around the historic center and a narrow southern corridor along a grand avenue. This unusual geographic split arose in the 19th century through urban incorporation negotiations between neighboring administrative units.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Arrondissement of Brussels-Capital).
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Manneken Pis
212 m
Atomium
5.4 km
Grand-Place
61 m
King Baudouin Stadium
5.6 km
Brussels and the European Union
5.6 km
Boule et Bill
5.2 km
Jeanneke Pis
277 m
Royal Palace of Brussels
919 m
Joseph Marien Stadium
3.6 km
Cinquantenaire Park
3 km
NMBS/SNCB
1.6 km
Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries
269 m
Hôtel Tassel
2.2 km
Berlaymont building
2.2 km
Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula
618 m
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
711 m
Palace of Justice
1.1 km
Hôtel de Ville de Bruxelles
19 m
Europa building
2.1 km
Royal Castle of Laeken
4.5 km
Stoclet Palace
4.7 km
Mini-Europe
5.4 km
Brussels-Central railway station
391 m
Church of Our Lady of Laeken
3.6 km
Forest National
4.5 km
Brussels Stock Exchange
199 m
Mont des Arts - Kunstberg
491 m
Royal Theatre of La Monnaie
382 m
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