Memories From Brussels

Wednesday Dec. 14, 2016

We did enjoy Brussels for numerous reasons.  We originally had planned to go there because I wanted to enjoy a European Christmas Market.  There were other unintended consequences that took place.  Walt had hooked up a tour of Art Nouveau sites so we were aware of some buildings in the area.  When we got there we also checked out a building that happened to be Art Nouveau style which housed the Comic Museum.  The Comic Museum made us aware that there were lots of Comic Murals within the city that we could walk around and see also.

The whole area was festive as far as the downtown city streets and shopping areas.  Nothing on the homes, which we had noticed in Europe before.  Even the Mannekin Pis figure had a special uniform.  It looks like it may have been a mountain climbing outfit.  

The Art Nouveau sites were really neat.  Brussels is one of the main areas where Art Nouveau flourished from 1900-1914.  Albert Horta was one of the main architects of the time that made it flourish for as long as it did.  His style with more of the curves and the whip like hook are considered the Organic Art Nouveau.  The Geometric Art Nouveau which had straighter lines and forms became Art Deco which came about in the 1920s and 1930s.  Both of these were in evidence in Brussels.  

The Comic Murals were a very nice way to recognize comic designers from way back.  Most of us know of the Smurfs but there are a whole lot more that were before our time.

So much for the comic murals.

We bid Brussels a fond farewell.  It was a nice getaway.