Because of the rich medieval history that is associated with Belgium, it is no wonder that many of its cities and landmarks have been declared as World Heritage Sites in recent years. One of these heritage sites is the Notre Dame de Tournai Cathedral, a religious edifice that has weathered almost 800 years of existence.

The Notre Dame de Tournai is a rare piece of architecture that artfully combines three periods of architectural influence such as the Romanesque, the Gothic and the Transitional. This is due to the countless reconstructions it has undergone throughout the centuries. You would find Romanesque influence in the fresco paintings that depict the life of St. Marguerite of Antioch. These painting, are considered the largest series of Romanesque fresco paintings in Belgium. The nave of the cathedral also has Romanesque roots. This is characterized by an intricate attention to harmonious proportion, evident in the four horizontal window levels that span the length of the cathedral. These windows were originally adorned with rose-colored windows, until stability issues forced authorities to replace them with brick vaults. Breaking from the Romanesque theme, the choir part of the cathedral owes its construction to Gothic inspirations. The choir’s abundant lighting and awe-inspiring verticality–36 m above the keystone– renders a solemn mood to the cathedral’s centerpiece, a 1727 marble altar. Stained glass windows provide a colorful backdrop to an already impressive setting.

The cathedral also holds reliquaries that may be an interest for the devout Catholic or curious historian. These include the Byzantine Cross, a relic that contains a fragment of the cross of Jesus Christ. You can also find other liturgical furniture donated by the faithful in the cathedral’s treasure room.

Your journey through medieval Belgium wouldn’t be complete without a visit to this interesting and historical cathedral.

A vacation trip in Belgium is never complete without a visit to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp. Not only is it an imposing structure in the city landscape, it also serves as a sanctuary to much of Belgium’s artwork.

While art connoisseurs can certainly find their way through the halls, casual art lovers are better off taking one of the guided tours. These tours cater to the different interests of the museum’s visitors. For starters, you can take a tour along the major paintings in the museum. This would introduce you to the art history of Southern Netherlands and Belgium, through the works of old and modern artists. These include collections from popular artists like Jan van Eyck and Rogier van der Weyden. The museum also showcases the works of Peter Paul Rubens, a major proponent of Baroque art and an inspiration to other masters such as Vincent van Gogh. The Rubens collection at the Royal Museum includes 25 oil paintings, so masterful and overflowing with technique that Van Gogh himself visited the museum to admire them.

If you want to know the stories and anecdotes behind the paintings, you can opt for tours that go behind the scenes on these Flemish and Belgian artworks. By learning about the stories and inspirations behind the paintings and sculptures, you gain a deeper understanding of the artists and their works. One of these anecdotes is the story of how Quinten Massijs painted a life-like fly on his master’s own painting. There are also themed tours, such as the Tasty Art tour. This tour shows you numerous paintings depicting harvests, markets, mouth-watering banquets and still-life paintings. They introduce the viewer to the culinary traditions that govern the lifestyle in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Through the many sights and sounds of Belgium, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts is a quiet little respite from the busy streets of Brussels and Bruges. Out of all the little museums that dot the Belgian landscape, the Royal Museum provides you with the most complete and interesting experience that would surely satisfy you’re craving for paintings and sculptures. So, if you’re quite the art lover, remember to drop by the Royal Museum of Fine Arts for a quick fix on European art.

If Brussels is the capital of Belgium, then Grand Place has got to be the capital of Brussels. Situated at the center of the most significant city in all of Belgium, the Grand Place is an imposing town square with an area of 68 by 110 m. It is associated with the country’s seat of power because it is outlined by two equally imposing structures: the Brussels City Hall and the King’s House, presently called the Breadhouse.

The architecture of Grand Place is like nothing you’ve ever seen. The row of shops are seemingly knitted together to form an overall look of a picturesque middle-age town square. To the south of Grand Place, you will find the Brussels City Hall. This symbol of municipal power was erected in the early 1400’s. Right across it is the King’s House, although no king has ever resided in it. In the early 1500s, the Duke of Brabant built it to represent ducal power in the city. Merchant shops and guilds fill the spaces between these two significant landmarks. Despite having been erected at different periods and under different architectural influences, the buildings surrounding Grand Place seemingly mesh together to form a landscape that is worthy of a portrait. Moreover, if your timing is right, you can experience the Flower Carpet that covers the Grand Place in August of every other year. During this time, the Grand Place is adorned with an intricate and colorful pattern of begonias, a native flower in Brussels.

As significant as Grand Place, it is but a mere iceberg’s tip of the culture and history that Brussels has to offer. But, many people begin their adventure through Brussels at Grand Place, more preferably through bike tours or walking tours. Starting from the grandeur of this impressive town square, you can then discover the fun and interesting things that Brussels has in store for you.

Situated between Brussels and Bruges, the city of Ghent is another charming city in the country of Belgium. Like Bruges, it also boasts of a few choice pieces of medieval architecture. Ghent offers a lot of interesting things that you can’t find anywhere else in the Belgian landscape.

Situated in between the rivers Scheldt and Lys, Ghent started out as a settlement in the middle ages before slowly progressing as one of the largest and most popular cities in the European continent. It holds many old landmarks such as the Saint Bavo Cathedral, the most famous tourist destination in this quaint Belgian city. Spend a couple of hours in the Cathedral and soak in the history of this marbled cathedral. The 13th-century crypt, which used to be the original church, and the famous “Mystic Lamb” by Jan van Eyck are must-sees in this architectural gem. Many recommend joining a tour for a more enriching experience inside St. Bavo Cathedral. Aside from the St. Bavo, you can also check out the Gravensteen, a castle originating from the Middle Ages. Just like the Cathedral, Gravensteen is a site laden with a rich history. Translated as the “Castle of the Count”, this 13th-century castle has served as a courthouse, factory and even a dungeon for prisoners before it was renovated in 1885. Although most of the castle has been refurbished, it is still a place worth checking out. The city authorities have transformed the interior of the castle to showcase a collection of medieval weaponry and torture implements.

After a long day in Ghent, you can sit back and enjoy their interesting cuisine. On Thursdays, the city holds a meat-free day called Veggiedag. This is your chance to taste some vegetarian cuisine in a country famous for its hearty beef stews and soups. Another interesting culinary treat is the mastel, the Belgian counterpart of a bagel. Many call it Saint Hubert bread because of the culinary tradition that surrounds it. It is said that, on the feast day of Saint Hubert, bakers flock to the church to have their mastel blessed before selling it.

Because the center of Ghent is a car-free area, it is recommended to leave your cars in a Park &Ride zone and take the trains or trams. But, to fully absorb the culture of this amazing Belgian city, a leisurely walk around Ghent is the best way to go.

Dubbed as the Venice of the North due to its water canal streets, the Belgian city of Bruges offers everyone a taste of the medieval ages through architecture, history and culture. In fact, because of its rich medieval architecture and history, it has been recognized as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2000.

Your to-do list in Bruges is not complete without a boat ride down the canals. To further enjoy this leisurely trip, many recommend riding a bike down to the boat docks. This way, you can enjoy the sights and sounds, both on water and land. If you’re looking to see the architectural gems that Bruges is known for, you can also hire a tour guide to introduce you to many historical landmarks. One of these is the Church of our Lady, a tall brick fixture that pierces the Bruges skyline. There is also the sculpture of the “Madonna and Child”, one of the few works of Michaelangelo to have ever left Italy. Probably the most popular structure in the city of Bruges is the 13th-century belfry. If you’re up to it, you can climb the 360 steps of the bell tower and be rewarded with a beautiful heightened view of the city. Lucky guests can also chance upon the chiming of the 48-bell ensemble of the belfry’s carillon. Bruges also holds appeal to advocates of art, in the form of music and theater. The English Theater of Bruges is a popular venue for theatre-goers. Situated in a place where English is not the primary language, the English Theater offers a rare theatrical experience for tourists and vacationers. For a good look at Belgian art, the Groening Museum is the place to go. Among the many museums scattered around Bruges, the Groening Museum is the major municipal repository of Belgian artworks from the 18th to the 21st century. These include works from Jan van Eyck, Rogier van der Weyden and Gerard David.

The medieval feel of Bruges adds to the magic of a place laden with history, architecture and art. Next time you’re planning a trip to Belgium, be sure to include this splendid city of water canals in your itinerary, and have one of the most enriching times of your life.

If you’re in Belgium and looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of cities like Ghent and Brussels, the Ardennes is a clear answer to your wishes. The Ardennes, a part of Wallonia, is a chain of rolling hills and sprawling forests that extends from Belgium and Luxembourg to the outskirts of France. Aside from having an abundance of greenery, it is also a hotspot of natural reserves and rivers.

Ardennes is also an appealing tourist destination for the adventurous types. The vast forests offer hunting, while the hills are suitable for cycling and trekking activities. If you’re in for a short and pleasant walk, you can visit the Parc National de Furfooz. The 4-km circular walk through the park leads you to a scenic view of the town and to several Roman architectural remains. The choice of sports activities does not slow down even in the cold Ardennes winter, where guests can enjoy a little skiing and snowboarding as well.

The Ardennes also holds a part in history. In World War II, the town bore witness to the Battle of the Bulge, a surprise attack by the Germans on the British and American forces. Story has it that they only got as far as Dinant, the fortress of the Allied troops. You can tour the Citadel of Dinant during the day, an enormous WWII fortress perched high above a cliff. Because of some unrestricted sites, most guests are advised to join a tour group, instead of venturing in the citadel alone. The Ardennes American Cemetery also lets you absorb Ardennes’s rich WWII history. The cemetery has a carillon that plays the US National Anthem every day, as homage to the fallen comrades who had been buried there. If you’re quite the patriot, it would prove to be a truly emotional experience to visit this one-of-a-kind resting place.

Whether you’re longing for the crisp air outdoors or for the awe of historical landmarks, Ardennes more than satisfies both of your wishes. A tiny respite from the gray inner cities, Ardennes offers a little peaceful recreation to tourists and natives alike.