PATRIA MEMOR. Photo by EmDee / CC BY-SA 3.0 |
One of the most liveable and respected cities in the
world, Brussels has a lot to offer. Home to more than 100 museums, 20 theatres,
and 9 palaces, the capital of Belgium is proud of the cultural heritage that is
truly immense. A fully-fledged world city despite its small-town feel, Brussels is a melting pot of numerous cultures and ethnicities, not to
mention its own enduring bilingual status. Enriched by the presence of many EU
institutions, as well as the NATO headquarters, the Belgian capital has firmly entrenched
its status of the de facto capital of
Europe.
The architecture is captivating. Though never an
imperial capital of the kind of London or Vienna, Brussels has more than enough
to beguile a less sophisticated guest. The magnificent Arcade du Cinquantenaire inspires awe and respect. The royal
palaces are well worth a visit. Numerous monuments and statues adorn its
streets and alleys, including the city’s unofficial symbol, the famous Manneken Pis.
And yet it is another, unassuming monument, in the
very heart of the city, which deserves a second, cautious look. Walking past a
magnificent park and several palaces, on the way to the European Parliament, a
busy tourist may spot an equestrian statue. The rider, tall and well built, has
the appearance of a victor and conqueror. His large leonine beard stands out,
but one can hardly recognise him. A brief glimpse on the name plaque, plain and modest as it is, will likely explain little more. And yet it is exactly this statue of a horseman which is a vivid memento of Belgium's much darker and dishonourable past.
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