Mont des Arts - Kunstberg, Garden square in central Brussels, Belgium
Mont des Arts - Kunstberg is a terraced garden in central Brussels that extends between the Royal Library and Central Station. The layout follows a geometric pattern with flowerbeds, fountains, and wide staircases connecting different levels.
Leopold II purchased an entire neighborhood at the end of the 19th century and ordered its transformation into an arts and culture center. The current garden layout was only built in the 1950s after earlier plans were delayed by wars and financial constraints.
The name combines French and Dutch tradition and reflects Brussels' bilingual identity. Visitors walk through a space that deliberately connects the administrative and cultural centers of the capital.
Brussels Central Station sits directly below the square and several underground car parks offer parking nearby. The terraces are open around the clock and accessible via stairs and lifts that make movement easier for wheelchair users.
From the upper terraces, you can spot the Gothic Town Hall spire, the Koekelberg Basilica, and even the Atomium in a single view on clear days. This sight line was deliberately planned in the design and symbolically connects different eras of the city.
Location: City of Brussels
Address: 1000 Brussels, Belgium
GPS coordinates: 50.84421,4.35761
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30
Brussels offers photographers a range of architectural subjects spanning several centuries. The medieval Grand-Place forms the historic center, while Art Nouveau buildings such as the Musée Horta and Maison Cauchie document the artistic flourishing around 1900. The Atomium, built for the 1958 World's Fair, represents postwar modernism and has become one of the city's most photographed landmarks. The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert ranks among Europe's oldest covered shopping arcades and displays the elegant construction techniques of the 19th century. The Mont des Arts connects different neighborhoods through a terraced garden with views over the old town. Parc du Cinquantenaire features neoclassical triumphal arches, while the Porte de Hal remains the last surviving medieval city gate. The Basilique du Sacré-Cœur in Koekelberg shows Art Deco influences in its monumental architecture. Quieter spots include the Étangs d'Ixelles, two ponds in the neighborhood of the same name, or the Forêt de Soignes, an extensive beech forest on the city's edge. Avenue Louise connects residential and commercial districts through various architectural styles. Smaller passages such as Galerie Bortier or Passage du Nord complement the major arcades. Rue des Bouchers is known for its restaurant facades, while Rue de la Cigogne features historic townhouses. Photographically interesting details include the Art Nouveau metro station Pannenhuis or the modernist Bâtiment CBR. The Château de Laeken serves as a royal residence and opens to visitors only during the annual opening of the Serres Royales. Le Botanique, a former botanical garden, now houses a cultural center. Place Royale and the adjacent Palais Royal form the political heart of the city. Smaller squares like Place Flagey offer local scenes away from the main routes.
Palace of Fine Arts
162 m
Royal Library of Belgium
120 m
Palace of Coudenberg
211 m
Musical Instruments Museum
183 m
Old England
171 m
Palace of Charles of Lorraine
149 m
Carillon of the Mont des Arts
70 m
Ravenstein Gallery
89 m
Equestrian statue of Albert
94 m
Granvelle Palace
88 m
Royal Chapel
123 m
Film Museum
178 m
Bortier Gallery
200 m
Hôtel Ravenstein
110 m
KBR Museum
115 m
Hôtel de Ligne
169 m
The Whirling Ear
125 m
Charles of Lorraine
136 m
Chapelle de Nassau
110 m
Hôtel de Spangen
205 m
Garden of the Mont des Arts
67 m
Happiness Expo
78 m
La Pharmacie Anglaise
120 m
Commemorative plaque for Pensionnat de Demoiselles
139 m
Statue of Queen Elisabeth
125 m
Vestiges de l'ancien Palais ducal du Coudenberg
200 m
Jewish Steps
104 m
Leopold II & Maria Theresia of Austria
192 mReviews
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