Have you seen any of the Unesco World Heritage Sites in Belgium? There are currently 13, and many of them are very interesting. We have visited five of the Belgian World Heritage Sites so far, but hope to see a few more. Which ones have you visited? Which ones are you curious about?
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Unesco World Heritage in Belgium
At the time of writing, there are a total of 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Belgium, although the number may increase over time if more World Heritage Sites are designated. World Heritage sites are those cultural and natural environments in the world that are considered to be by far the most outstanding and of great importance to all mankind.
When it comes to World Heritage Sites, while some are more worth seeing than others, it's fun to keep track. And you can definitely find some gems! Here is the full list of Belgian World Heritage Sites. We have visited numbers 1, 2, 4, 5 and 9. Have you visited any of them?
1. Flemish starter farms
'Beguines' were women who dedicated their lives to God without retiring from the world. In the 13th century they founded 'béguinages', a kind of closed community made up of houses, churches and green spaces. These buildings today are reminiscent of a medieval tradition. We dropped by one of them during a guided tour of Bruges ...
2. La Grand-Place in Brussels
The Grote Markt, or Grand Place in French, is the main square in Brussels and a well-known World Heritage Site in Belgium. It is an impressive collection of grand and beautiful buildings, mainly from the late 17th century. The square acts as a magnet for tourists and others, and we were as impressed as everyone else when we visited Brussels in December 2018.
3. The four boat lifts on the Canal du Centre
The four hydraulic boat lifts on the historic Canal du Centre are impressive industrial monuments. Together with the canal itself, they showcase an industrial landscape from the late 19th century. The lifts were built around the turn of the century and are the only ones in the world that remain in their original working order.
4. Belfries (beffroies) in Belgium and France
The World Heritage Site includes a list of 33 bell towers (beffroier) in Belgium and 23 in northern France. The belfries were built between the 11th and 17th centuries and showcase Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. In other parts of Europe, the focus was on town halls, but here the emphasis was on bell towers. We've seen some of them, including in Ghent and Bruges.
5. the historic centre of Bruges
Bruges is a unique example of medieval architecture and is perhaps one of the most popular World Heritage Sites in Belgium. The city has retained its historic structure over the centuries, with many examples of the Gothic style. The city is also extremely charming with canals, bridges, boat trips and interesting museums. We highly recommend a visit here!
6. Significant works by architect Victor Horta in Brussels
Architect Victor Horta is responsible for four important buildings in Brussels: Hôtel Tassel, Hôtel Solvay, Hôtel van Eetvelde and Maison & Atelier Horta. Victor Horta was one of the earliest promoters of Art Nouveau and was a pioneer in the late 19th century. The buildings are open-plan, light-filled and have curved lines.
7. The Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes
The Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes are the largest and earliest collection of ancient mines in Europe. They are also remarkable for all the technical solutions used.
8. Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai
Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai was built in the first half of the 12th century. This impressive building is constructed in the Gothic style with many towers and sculptures.
9. Plantin-Moretus Museum
The Plantin-Moretus Museum is a printing and publishing house dating back to the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The printing house is associated, among other things, with the history of the invention and spread of typography. The museum, which tells the story of bookbinder Christophe Plantin, became our favourite museum when we visited Antwerp in 2018.
10. Bokur forests in the Carpathians and other regions of Europe
This vast beech forest extends across no less than 12 countries. It began to spread at the end of the last ice age from isolated areas in the Alps and the Carpathians, among others, and is still spreading.
11. the palace of Stoclet
Banker and art collector Adolphe Stoclet commissioned this impressive house from a leading architect in 1905. Completed in 1911, the house and garden marked a turning point in Art Nouveau, modelling Art Deco and the modern movement in architecture.
12. Major mines in Wallonia
Wallonia has coal mines from the 19th and 20th centuries. The mining areas showcase architecture from the early industrial era, and there are also industrial traces from the 17th century.
13. Architectural works by Le Corbusier
17 sites have been selected from the works of architect and artist Le Corbusier. Many of these are in France, and some are in exotic parts of the world. One of the buildings, Maison Guiette, is located in Antwerp, Belgium.
Which Unesco World Heritage Sites in Belgium have you seen?
Which Unesco World Heritage Sites in Belgium have you seen? Which ones are you curious about?
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Geddfish says:
I was travelling to the EU for the 2014 elections and we visited Brussels, of course, and Bruges....
So 2 and 4 I have visited.
Happy Thursday, hugs!
14 January 2021 - 8:31
bmlarsreseblogg says:
Belgium is one of the countries in Europe we have seen far too little of. Bruges is the only place we explored so we have been up in the Beffroi and of course seen the centre both on foot and from the water.
Brussels is high on our list...
14 January 2021 - 9:56
Helena says:
Britt-Marie and Lars, Bruges is very charming! We also liked Ghent a lot! And it's lucky that you have a little left to explore 😉.
14 January 2021 - 18:00
Helena says:
Geddfish, EU trip sounds exciting! And both Brussels and Bruges are nice and interesting cities! Have fun!
14 January 2021 - 18:00
Ama de casa says:
I really haven't seen much of Belgium. Brussels, but hardly anything else. Once I slept all the way through the country when we were on our way to France with the car. Probably should have kept my eyes open, I realise now 🙂.
14 January 2021 - 10:07
Helena says:
You probably slept well! 😉 And luckily Belgium is still there! 🙂
14 January 2021 - 18:01
Ewa says:
Visited Brussels several times. The food is fantastic
Also visited Bruges and Ghent. So I tick 1, 2, 4, 5, 6.
Still on my bucket list is Antwerp (love all kinds of architecture). The boat lifts also sound exciting to visit. Thanks for that tip.
14 January 2021 - 10:18
Helena says:
Not bad!!! 🙂 Antwerp is an interesting city in general, with chocolate, diamond museum, brewery, underground passages and other things 🙂 !
14 January 2021 - 18:02
Ann says:
I've never actually been to Belgium... hm, maybe we should do something about that?!
14 January 2021 - 13:12
Helena says:
Belgium is definitely worth visiting! 🙂
14 January 2021 - 18:03
BP says:
I have only visited the Grande Place which I thought was the best part of Brussels. Strangely enough, I am not very fond of Belgium - except for moules frites so;-). I think it's quite dirty and messy. That impression was confirmed by a Belgian I mentioned it to. He agreed. The reason is that Walloons and Flemings rarely agree on anything, and then it remains undone.
14 January 2021 - 19:32
Liniz+Travel says:
Just Bruges actually. Have a nice weekend, hugs
15 January 2021 - 9:17
Marias Memoarer says:
I have not been to Belgium yet, but Bruges and bokur forests attract a little extra much 🙂 Wallonia would also be interesting to get acquainted with, as it is claimed that about half the village I come from is descended from this Walloon people who came here from Sweden with their forging skills.
20 January 2021 - 23:25
Camilla says:
In the process of planning a trip to Brussels. Good starting point for hunting/visiting world heritage sites. Can probably do quite a few in a long weekend.
06 July 2021 - 19:57