Visit the Saint-Gilles district of Brussels
Art nouveau in Brussels
Saint-Gilles town hall
Situated on a hill, Saint-Gilles used to be called Obbrussel (On-Brussels). The town has always been proud of its independence from the walled centre. The monumental town hall of this Brussels municipality is in no way inferior in appearance to the famous town hall on the Grand-Place.
Inaugurated in 1904, the building is in Renaissance style. Its curved wings and façade with statues and a gilded eagle make it one of the most beautiful town halls in Belgium. You can have a look inside during the Heritage Days.
Travel back to the Middle Ages
Brussels was once a trading centre between cities such as Bruges and Cologne. The 14th century Hallepoort, named after the road to Halle, is the only remaining city gate.
Although the façade has been renovated, the halls inside still exude a medieval atmosphere. Here you will find the collection of the Hallepoort Museum, where you can learn more about the history of the city and the building itself.
The highlight? The roof. After 169 steps, you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of modern Brussels, built on medieval foundations.
Discover Art Nouveau at the Horta Museum
To every age its art. To art its freedom'. This motto on the Secession building in Vienna perfectly sums up the essence of Art Nouveau: not an imitation of old styles, but an entirely new art form.
In Brussels, this is particularly evident in the work of Victor Horta, Belgium's most famous Art Nouveau architect. His former home and studio make up the Horta Museum. Built around 1900, the buildings offer a unique insight into this art style. On 11 'half' floors you can admire the light, the murals, the mosaics and the stained glass windows. The collection includes unusual pieces of furniture, drawings, plaster models and works of art collected by Horta himself. You can visit the museum free of charge on the first Sunday of every month.
Address: Amerikastraat 27
Want more? Then walk through Sint-Gillis or other Art Nouveau themed districts. With the Art Nouveau Pass allows you to visit nine buildings in Brussels.
Visit Maison Hannon
Another beautiful architectural relic from the Art Nouveau period is the Maison Hannon. This corner house was completed in 1902 for the Belgian-French couple Hannon. The house reflects her love of botany and his passion for poetry, history and technology. From the ornate ironwork to the refined frescoes, from the stained glass windows to the sculptures in the façade. The house is a collection of individual works of art in which both Belgian and French styles are visible. Since 2023, the Maison Hannon has functioned as a house museum where you can experience Art Nouveau first hand. In addition to the restored rooms, there are temporary exhibitions.
Adres: Verbindingslaan 1
Eating and drinking in Saint-Gilles
Want to recharge with a snack and a drink while you see the sights? We have a few tips for you:
1. Cafe La Pompe is located in an old petrol station and is the place to go for breakfast or a snack with beer or wine. The menu is surprising. The speciality is the hot dog with Frankfurter sausage, tartar sauce and other toppings. Where the pumps used to be, there is now a spacious terrace. In the summer, the garage door opens and the outdoors is brought in.
Address: Chau. de Waterloo 211
2. Brasserie Verschueren, founded in 1880, is now the neighbourhood's welcoming living room. It began as a sales outlet for the family brewery, which produced gueuze, kriek and fruit liqueurs. The building has the charm of the 1930s, with Art Deco features such as the striking canopy and tiled columns. The connection with the local football club, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, is obvious. Supporters gather here to discuss and celebrate matches, creating a festive atmosphere.
Address: Parv. de Saint-Gilles 11
3. No other city in Europe has as many people of foreign origin as Brussels. No fewer than 184 different nationalities live in the capital region, making up around 40 per cent of the population. Naturally, this is reflected in the menus. The Portuguese chain Forcado founded by father and son De Oliveira, brings the famous pastéis de nata, creamy pastries wrapped in crispy puff pastry, to Brussels. The new Pastelaria on the Steenweg is well worth a visit.
Address: Charleroise Steenweg 196
4. In a country world-famous for its beers, the capital cannot be left out. The local beer culture is celebrated in the lively beer speciality pub L'Ermitage Saint-Gilles. The menu includes a selection of craft beers, all brewed within a two-kilometre radius. They also serve natural wines and homemade sourdough pizzas. The relaxed atmosphere and inviting terrace make this bar a popular meeting place for young and old.
Address: Moskoustraat 34
To Brussels by train
It is easy to get to Brussels from the Netherlands by train.
- Travel with Eurostar from Amsterdam to the heart of Brussels in less than 2 hours.
- With Eurocity Direct it takes 2.08 from Amsterdam and with EuroCity it takes 1.30 from Rotterdam.
Book a ticket from Amsterdam as low as € 25 one-way from Eurocity Direct. Prefer cheaper? Then book the EuroCity. It runs between Rotterdam and Brussels Zuid/Midi and stops at intermediate stations.
Sint-Gilles in Brussels
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