Brussels, Day 3 - The Choco-Story

We continued our day with a visit to the Choco-Story, a chocolate museum just nearby. I didn't have high expectations, thinking this was another tourist-trap, but it actually was really good. Just the right balance between informative and fun displays. I guess we were lucky too it wasn't too crowded when we visited, so we had ample space to enjoy, while feeling safe.
You got this little chocolate-shaped audio guide to use throughout the exhibit:

We learned how the Mayas and the Aztecs grew cocoa trees:

It was used as currency!

We learned about how cocoa arrived in Europe, firstly by the explorer Cortez in 1528, who brought it with him back to Spain:

And then how it spread throughout Europe, became highly popular especially in the court of France; something I touch on while mediating the exhibition about Versailles we have at Louvre Abu Dhabi at the moment:

I loved admiring this huge collection of chocolate pots and chocolate cups!

Special cups for the men with moustaches, with a little "shield" so that they could enjoy the drink without getting their whole face full of froth:

And these mugs, with extra deep saucers and two handles, to be used on carriages or in other shaky conditions to prevent spilling. They are called "tasses trembleuses".

La Belle Chocolatière, after a painting by Jean Liotard 1745.

We also got to know all about the chocolate production itself. The museum explained the whole process, from fermentation, drying and roasting to how to make the cocoa paste, and finally how to create the desired product.

We learned all about the history of chocolate molds, chocolate pralines, chocolate vending machines, the invention of chocolate boxes... and obviously - we were treated to some freshly made chocolate after a short demonstration! Om nom nom!

We both loved this visit! Well recommended if you come to Brussels!

Brussels, Day 3 - Manneken Pis

You can't go to Brussels and not go see the famous Manneken Pis. Sure, it's just a small statue of a young boy, relieving himself into a pool of water; but this is just as much a symbol for Brussels, as the Eiffel Tower is for Paris or the Fontana di Trevi for Rome.

The Manneken Pis has a really long history. This statue having been in place since 1619 (but there is apparently evidence there has been a similar figure in place here as early as 1451), although this is a replica - the real statue made by Jérôme Duquesnoy is safely kept at the Musée de la Ville, as other statues have been vandalised or stolen.

The funny thing about this statue is that it is actually dressed about half of the year!
Manneken Pis has its own wardrobe with over 1000 costumes in it, and he regularly receives new ones. This is a tradition that started already 1698, and continues today with visiting heads of state donating miniature versions of their national costume and other outfits.
One of the days we passed by, he was wearing this Special Olympics outfit, in honour of World Health Day:

Just up the road from the statue himself, you find the 'Garderobe Manneken Pis'. A small museum which shows a selection of his outfits, on rotation, about 140 pieces at a time. (Next to it this fabulous mural!)

Of course we had to visit that!

This costume came from the Lund Studentkår (?). So it's Swedish, although I wouldn't have guessed that, if it wasn't for the moose sign:

The collection is sorted in themes, like countries, folklore and designers:

You can also find costumes relating to sports, celebrities, charity and citizen associations and trade. We found a pilots costume, and both Mickey Mouse, Obelix and Santa Claus!

One of the biggest of his outfits, a traditional costume for a feudal Japanese overlord, a Daimyo:

This is the oldest outfit in the collection. Displayed is only a replica though, due to the fragile state of the garment itself, made of brocade blue silk and embellished with silver and gold thread.
This outfit was a gift from Louis XV in 1747, as an apology after his soldiers tried to steal the statue. The King also declared Manneken Pis a knight of the Order of Saint-Louis.

Since 1945, this sewing pattern has been used to make the various outfits. A complete outfit includes shoes and a hat, and very often various accessories.
Manneken Pis receives about 20-30 new outfits every year. To donate an outfit, a request must be sent to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Brussels.

If you want to check out the full wardrobe of Manneken Pis, you can find all his costumes online here; together with more information. For example you can find out how to dress this famous statue, which is not easy as his feet are attached to a plinth, and his hands to his body. There is actually someone whose job is to be the "dresser" for Manneken Pis!

A fascinating little museum! Well worth a visit for sure!

Brussels, Day 2 - Musée Royaux des Beaux-Arts

We took the metro back from the Quartier Européen and jumped off at the Quartier Royale, to go visit the two of the museums under the umbrella of Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts. We started with the Old Masters, this museum is housed in a beautiful Neo-Classical building. Its collection is known as the finest collection of 15th- to 18th century Flemish art in the world.

I said "we", but Linnea had a little break and sat out while I discovered the Old Masters. I was pretty quick through the collection as well I must admit, as there was just sooo much... I focused on the artists I knew, or motives that interested me. Like this - a painting by Rogier van der Weyden, of Antoine de Bourgogne, wearing the Golden Fleece (which we have one piece of at the Louvre Abu Dhabi).

A triptych by Hieronymus Bosch:

Quinten Metsys, another artist we also have at the Louvre Abu Dhabi:

Bruegel, of course:

And Jacob Jordaens, another known artist from our Louvre Abu Dhabi collection:

Frans Hals and Rembrandt:

And an amazing Pronkestilleven that really caught my eye, by Maerten Boelema de Stomme:

Then we went just next door, to the Magritte Museum:

I must say I was slightly disappointed. It was curated over several floors, so a lot of walking in stairs, in and out of the galleries. The galleries were terribly dark as well, so I didn't enjoy this visit much.

On the way back to the hotel, we passed the Mont des Arts, and just before 4pm we found this big carillon clock, so we decided to give it the few minutes wait and see if it was going to move or play - which it did!

In the evening, we ended the day with the perfect Belgian dinner - moules-frites! Mussles! At least for me, Linnea had a burger, but she said it was "one of the best burgers ever", so I guess that was a winner too!

Great ending to a good day!

Brussels, Day 2 - EU-visit

On our first full day in Brussels, I had booked in to meet up with a UFO-friend of mine. I have written many times before about my UFO-network of women all over the world, how much it means to me and how we are in nearly daily contact with each other. So we know each other well, but this was the first time I was actually going to meet Birgitta in real life.

We met at the EU-quarter, where you find the headquarters of the European Commission. Birgitta works in the Justus Lipsius building (named after a Flemish philosopher), and had graciously offered to give us a little tour of her workplace. 

Upon entering, this is what greets you, the Nobel Peace Prize that the EU won in 2012:

This building is connected to the Europa Building (the seat of the European Council) so that its offices and meeting rooms also can be used. There was another reminder of Sweden, with this meeting room:

We also went for a quick lite walk-about around the block, in search of a lunch place. We saw the Triumphal Arch in Parc du Cinquantenaire in the far, and a Memorial over Terrorist victims.
We then invited Birgitta for lunch as a thank you for the tour - and when her lunch break was over we said goodbye, for this time.