Where: Brussels, Belgium
When: January 18-20, 2013
With: Dave
Since the 13th century, this square has been one of the main areas of commerce for Brussels, acting as a market where merchants would come to buy and sell goods. Over the years, it developed to hold all the main guildhalls of the city in various areas. In the late 1600s, King Louis XIV of France bombed the city and nearly the whole place was burnt to the ground. In an act of defiance, the Belgians made it a point to build their square bigger and better, hence the beautiful structures and ornate architecture that surround the square today.
When we first arrived in Brussels, we set out in search of this square. Stepping into it at night was much more impressive than I anticipated it to be. It's absolutely huge. You feel so small and wee standing in the middle of it. It's also alive with people, especially with the nighttime crowds using it as a main thoroughfare as they hop from bar to bar.
Looking around the square, there are statues on top of many of the buildings, all making different hand gestures and arm movements. If you find the one that looks to be waving his hand in front of his face as though something smells bad. There is an unintentional story that ensues if you trace where each statue is looking towards another that is based around the blaming and denying of the fart that may have caused the initial smell. Clearly not the initial intention, but I love the Belgian sense of humor.
When: January 18-20, 2013
With: Dave
Sitting in the center of Brussels is a large square called the Grand Place.
Since the 13th century, this square has been one of the main areas of commerce for Brussels, acting as a market where merchants would come to buy and sell goods. Over the years, it developed to hold all the main guildhalls of the city in various areas. In the late 1600s, King Louis XIV of France bombed the city and nearly the whole place was burnt to the ground. In an act of defiance, the Belgians made it a point to build their square bigger and better, hence the beautiful structures and ornate architecture that surround the square today.
Looking around the square, there are statues on top of many of the buildings, all making different hand gestures and arm movements. If you find the one that looks to be waving his hand in front of his face as though something smells bad. There is an unintentional story that ensues if you trace where each statue is looking towards another that is based around the blaming and denying of the fart that may have caused the initial smell. Clearly not the initial intention, but I love the Belgian sense of humor.
Just south of the square sits another indication of Belgian humor, a small statue that has become the mascot of Brussels: the Manneken Pis. It is exactly what it sounds like - a small statue of a little boy peeing. While it sounds crazy, the Belgians love him as he represents the fun side of their culture. When we came upon this at night, we had a rare opportunity to see it without the massive crowds of people.
The next day, we got to see just how popular this little guy gets. You can't even get near him! We also got to see one of his many outfits - when important people come to Brussels, it's common for them to bring clothes for the Manneken. He has hundreds of outfits, including a rhinestone jumpsuit from Elvis.
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
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