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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Belgium is a major contributor to the extra-budgetary funds of UNESCO. Belgium joined UNESCO on November 29, 1946. There are currently two French-speaking UNESCO Chairs in the country. The first, set up in 1995 at the University of Mons-Hainaut, specializes in linguistics and didactics of languages in educational systems. The second, which dates from 2002, is a UNESCO Chair in academic pedagogy, at the Catholic University of Louvain (UCL). Thirteen Belgian sites are inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Flemish Béguinages Beguinages came in the Middle Ages; part of the male population set out on crusades and ...did not return. The surplus of women sought support from on another in beguinages. Less strict then convents, these miniature towns offered a refuge which was safe and at the same time independent.
Grand-Place, Brussels With its ornate baroque and gothic guild houses, it is often considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. Built as a merchants market in the 13th century, it serves as the center of the city and is a great place to experience Belgian hospitality at one of the many terrace cafes dotting the charming square.
Belfries of Flanders and Wallonia During the Middle Ages, Belfries were monumental expressions of the impregnability and might of the city. Belfries were originally built of wood by merchants in order to store their costly wares in safety. Later on they were built in brick, no longer for safety but as a symbol of their civic freedom and power.
Historic Center of Bruges Over the years the medieval canal city of Bruges has gone by many names: City of Romance, Venice of the North, the City That Time Forgot, and Cultural Capital of Europe back in 2002. With the city center closed off to cars, Bruges can be explored on foot, by boat ride or by horse-drawn carriage among cobbled streets
Major Town Houses of Architect Victor Horta Brussels Victor Horta was an architect and one of the foremost creators of the Art Nouveau style. The Horta Museum was the Private house of Victor Horta, who gave free rein to its style. To be seen: the central stairs as central axe of the building, the decorative undulating motifs, plans, pictures and models.
Plantin-Moretus House-Workshops-Museum Complex This is a printing plant and publishing house dating from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The building , which remained in activity until the 1867, contains a large collection of old printing equipment, an extensive library, invaluable archives and works of art, among them a painting by Rubens.
The Stoclet Palace is a private mansion built by architect Josef Hoffmann between 1905 and 1911 in Brussels for banker and art lover Adolphe Stoclet. The integration of different architects, artists, and artisans makes it an example of Gesamtkunstwerk, one of the defining characteristics of Jugendstil.The mansion is still occupied by the Stoclet family. It is therefore not open to visitors. The palace was designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO in June 2009.
Processional Giants and Dragons in Belgium The traditional procession of giants and dragons encompasses an original ensemble of festive rituals. The event essentially consists of a procession of huge effigies of giants, animals or dragons within the scope of popular manifestations and ritual representations. These cultural expressions first appeared in the urban religious processions of sixteenth century Western Europe and today still are emblems and provide a sense of identity to certain Belgian towns (Ath, Brussels, Dendermonde, Mechelen and Mons) where they remain living traditions. These giants and dragons are large-scale models measuring up to 30 feet in height and weighing up to 770 pounds. They represent mythical heroes or animals, trades or contemporary local figures, historical, biblical or legendary characters. St George fighting the dragon is staged in Mons. The wide range of performances, often mixing secular procession and religious ceremony, varies from town to town. However, there is one constant: each expression follows a precise ritual and the giant is often related to the history, legend or life of the town. Giants and dragons also animate other popular festivals where they are the main actors at least once a year, as each giant has its specific feast day. These gigantic effigies are carried by one or two people, who are hidden inside. They act out historical scenes and dance in the streets to the accompaniment of fanfares and costumed people. The crowd follows the procession, and many help in the preparations at different stages of the festival. The construction of a giant, and its ongoing maintenance, requires weeks of work and know-how in many techniques given the range of materials used.
Meiboom at Brussels Brussels' oldest folklore tradition. The cross bowmen of Saint-Laurent have been allowed to erect a May tree at the intersection of two streets ( Rue du Marais and Rue des Sables) as a reward for a feat of arms in the 14th century. This event takes place August 9th with a procession with brass band, and giant puppets.