Belgium

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Belgium

The famous of Manneken Pis is one of the oldest statues in Brussels. It has actually become an internationally renown Belgium landmark. Although many legends abound about the statue, one of the most famous comes to us from the 14th century.

According to the legend, when Brussels was under siege by a foreign power the attackers decided to place an explosive at the city walls and then storm the city. A little boy named Juliaanske, however, spied on the attackers and in order to save the city, he urinated on the burning fuse.

While these facts are debatable, what is known is that this bronze statue was created in 1619 by Franco-Flemish Baroque sculptor Jerome Duquesnoy.

Belgium

Ghent is the spiritual citadel of Flanders as well as being a university city. Ghent’s belfry is topped with a gilded copper dragon that symbolizes the power of the city’s guilds during the Middle Ages. It was built in the 13th century.

From the St. Michael’s Bridge many Renaissance buildings can still be seen. There is the stunning view on the Graslei, which used to be Ghent’s harbor and the backbone of the city in the Middle Ages. This quay is lined with 12th century houses.

Belgium

Belgium

The Burges canal looks onto one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Belgium.