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It was here that ‘Broucsella’ (the house in the marsh)
was founded in 979, when Charles of France built a castrum with
an oratory dedicated to St Gery on a small island covered in wild
irises, nestling in a meander of the Senne. This district suffered
badly from the greed of property developers around the 1970’s,
but is now gradually being revived thanks to the dynamism of its
inhabitants, who have turned it into the triendiest place in central
Brussels. Along with the gay clubs you’ll find shops selling
avant-garde fashions by Belgian designers and resturants and cafes
with wild and wacky interiors.
Notre-dame-des-riches-claires:
A fine example of the architecture of the Flemish Renaissance (1665),
the church of the St Clare nuns with its huge hemispherical dome
has strange gables with decorative scrolls over the ends of the
transept and choir. Durind restoration works after the fire of 1989,
remains were uncovered dating back to the Roman period.
Kladaradatsch Palace:
The old Pathe Palace cinema, built in 1913, had had its original
purpose of showing films restored. As well as being a ‘miniplex’ for
avent-garde cinema, this magnificent buiilding, a stunning mix
of Art Deco and neo-Classical styles, is the perfect place to
meet a friend for a drink or something to eat. All in all, it’s
the new place to be seen in central Brussels.
Opening hours: open every day noon – midnight
Tel: 501 6776
Le Greenwich
This café has hardly changed at all since it opened at the
end of 19th century with its dark panelling, marble tables, glass
roof and an old National cash register. The interior has inspired
many film-makers, including Delvaux, and regulars once included
the Painter Magritte, who was a fanatical chess player. Although
its lively in the evenings, the hushed atmosphere in the afternoons
is the perfect aid to concentration and the players are mostly on
sparkling water. But there is nothing to stop you ordering a glass
of trappiste.
Opening hours: open every day 11am-2pm
Tel: 511 416
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