Historical Cities in Belgium Which Are Worth a Visit

Historical cities in Belgium which are worth a visit

It's not easy these days to come up with a travel plan that satisfies our sense of travel urge, but sometimes it's right in front of us. Belgium is one of those places that is often overlooked as it has a very rich history that will certainly keep you busy for a few days or more. To make the most of your precious time, I suggest you visit some of the towns below first, as they offer an array of historic sites, in addition to everything else that can be found in these places like restaurants. incredible, shops, atmosphere etc....

Antwerp

Speaking of the perfect example, this city has it all. Located next to the Scheldt, it is the diamond capital of the world and has one of the largest and most important ports in Europe. But all this does not mean that there is little history to be found, quite the contrary. It was the home of famous painters like Rubens, whose home you can still visit and find works of art in several museums. If you visit the famous cathedral, you will also find works by him hanging there. Much time and care has gone into the historic buildings and the new Handelsbeurs Interchange is one of those buildings that deserved to be restored to its full glory, not to mention the preservation of the world's first interchange (dating from 1531) . it didn't need to be questioned. Today the building shows once again the richness it brought to the city centuries ago, and how it has become an example for all other exchanges in the world.

Another good place to see is the Grote Markt where you can see the famous Town Hall and the guild houses all around. Belgium has a lot of them, although the one in Antwerp is certainly among the best. The most beautiful station in the world was chosen, the central station is another must-see. it might even be a good place to start your trip if it's your point of arrival in the city. Finally, I also suggest you visit the Notre-Dame cathedral

Ghent

It is perhaps one of the most underrated cities in Belgium, as it is often overlooked by tourists who visit the busiest shopping city of Bruges and the capital Brussels. However, in doing so, they miss some of the country's finest historical monuments and anyone who has visited Ghent will confirm that it has a great atmosphere and the perfect mix of old and new. One of the main attractions here is the Castle of the Counts. This fortress dates back to the Roman occupation and went through various periods of turbulence before being restored, partly for the Universal Exhibition of 1913 which took place in Ghent but also to once again become the main tourist attraction.

If the Flemish primitives are at the top of your list, you must see the Ghent Altarpiece, or better known as "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" by the Van Eyck brothers. It is truly a masterpiece completed in 1432 and world famous. The 18 panels tell you all kinds of stories from the Bible, but it's the craftsmanship that makes this piece stand out. After admiring this incredible gem, you might want to sit in one of the many places to enjoy Belgian beers on a terrace. Still, keep going a little longer and make sure you don't miss a visit to the Belfry, a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Ghent's main symbols sits atop its tower. It is the dragon that has protected the city since 1377. Climb the tower and enjoy the view of this historic city before starting to enjoy all the culinary delights on offer.

Bruges

Probably Belgium's best-known historic city, and the movie "In Bruges" with Colin Farrell certainly didn't help keep this medieval city under the radar. The Beguinage became a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1998, followed by the Belfry in 1999, to which UNESCO declared the entire historic city center as a heritage site in 2000. Walking through the historic center, c is like stepping back in time. Old houses, small streets, horses and carriages, small boats on the canals which cross the city, giving it the nickname of "Venice of the north",.... If you want to avoid the massive groups of tourists taking photos all the time and blocking your view around every corner, I suggest you visit outside of the busy summer months.

Another great way to avoid the crowds is to visit one of the many museums you'll find dotted around and around Bruges. One of my favorites is the Groeningemuseum. Here you will see some of the masterpieces made by the Flemish primitives centuries ago. If that's not your thing, I suggest you go to the Chocolate Museum, because who doesn't love chocolate and its history? Just be sure to take your time to explore the city, as this is one of those places where you can find hidden gems that you can't find in travel guides just by walking around.

Mechelen

Last but not least, Mechelen is definitely worth a visit. While the other cities are perhaps more well known to the general public, often because they are more frequently visited by groups of foreign travelers, Mechelen is the hidden gem that is often overlooked. Located halfway between Brussels and Antwerp, this city has a very rich history of which it is still much preserved. It was one of the major fabric shopping centers in the Middle Ages, making it a very prosperous city that even became the capital of the Netherlands for a while. Another relatively unknown fact is that the first railway in Europe ran between Brussels and Mechelen. Who would have thought?

But there is much more to this city and Mechelen also has several Unesco protected sites. The most famous is the St-Rumbold Tower. You can climb the 97-meter-high tower to enjoy stunning views of the city and even more on a clear day. Of course, there are plenty of other sights and experiences you must add to your list, but the only thing you shouldn't miss is a visit to the Anker Brewery. Belgium is known the world over for its beer and it's the perfect placebo to get a closer look at how they create this golden nectar. Anyway, lots of places to see and endless experiences to do. Don't miss it!

Have you been to any of these cities or know of any other historic place that is definitely worth some attention let me know.