8 Top Tourist Attractions in Belgium
8 Top Tourist Attractions in Belgium. A Mind Map by Arpit Banjara
1. 5. Bouillon Castle
1.1. Bouillon Castle sits on a hill
1.1.1. overlooking the city of Bouillon
1.2. It is believed to date back to the Romans
1.2.1. though it is first mentioned in the late 10th century
1.3. early owners sold it to finance his participation
1.4. The castle has
1.4.1. in the First Crusade
1.4.2. three drawbridges
1.4.3. dungeons
1.4.4. and a torture chamber
1.4.4.1. that visitors will see
1.4.4.2. as they make their way down from the top
1.5. The castle has a unique, layered defense system designed to
1.5.1. protect it from invaders
2. 6. Tournai Cathedral
2.1. Catholicism has been an important religion
2.1.1. in the Walloon city of Tournai
2.2. since the 6th century
2.2.1. though construction of the Cathedral of Our Lady
2.2.2. did not start until the 12th century
2.3. It features three architectural styles:
2.3.1. Romanesque
2.3.2. Transitional
2.3.3. and Gothic
2.4. The cathedral has five bell towers
2.4.1. with ceilings that reach up to 157 feet high
2.5. The house of worship is also home to The Issue of Souls in Purgatory
2.5.1. a painting by the great Flemish artist
2.5.2. Peter Paul Rubens
3. 7. Canals of Bruges
3.1. Because of its canals Bruges is often called
3.1.1. ‘The Venice of the North’
3.2. In the Middle Ages the ‘Reie’ river had been turned
3.2.1. into a network of canals that enabled the traders to bring their products
3.2.2. to the large Water Halls at the Market
3.3. a boat ride on these famous canals provide a great way
3.3.1. to see some of Bruges most beautiful sites
4. 8. Grand Place
4.1. this central square is the city’s main landmark
4.1.1. Surrounded by the town hall and guildhalls
4.1.2. the old buildings that line its sides make it very special
4.2. The Grand Place dates back to the 11th century
4.2.1. when markets were held
4.3. Nowadays, every two years in August
4.3.1. an enormous “flower carpet” is set up in the Grand Place for a few days
4.3.2. A million colorful begonias are set up
4.3.2.1. in patterns covering a large part of the square
5. Benefits of Mind Mapping pdf guide --->
6. 1. Mons Belfry
6.1. Mons is a medieval city that today
6.1.1. serves as capital of Hainaut Province
6.2. It is home to the only
6.2.1. Baroque belfry in Belgium
6.2.2. located on the highest point in Mons
6.2.2.1. on a square that once housed a castle
6.2.2.2. remains of this castle can be seen today
6.3. Structural details:-
6.3.1. This bell tower is 87 meters (285 feet) high
6.3.1.1. with a 49-bell carillon at the top
6.3.1.2. the largest bell weighs in at five tons
6.3.2. constructed in the 17th century
6.3.2.1. topped by an onion-shaped dome
7. 2. Gravensteen
7.1. Looking at the 12th century Gravensteen Castle
7.1.1. one can almost picture knights in shining armor
7.1.2. riding white horses out the gates
7.2. castle was patterned after the ones
7.2.1. that the knights saw on the Second Crusade
7.2.1.1. in the Middle Ages
7.3. Over the centuries it was used as a prison and factory
7.3.1. with houses built in the courtyard
7.4. Scheduled to be demolished
7.4.1. the city of Ghent rescued it in 1885 and renovated it
7.5. Inside is a museum of torture devices used in Ghent over the ages
8. 3. Leuven Town Hall
8.1. looks more like a cathedral than a seat of government
8.1.1. perhaps because the 236 statues that adorn it
8.1.1.1. are set in religious scenes
8.2. statues are on the hall’s three floors
8.2.1. each floor representing different people
8.2.2. who were important to the city’s heritage
8.3. Built in the mid-15th century
8.3.1. the Gothic style town hall is very ornate
8.3.2. seeming almost lace-like
8.4. It anchors the city’s grote markt, or main square
8.4.1. and sits across from St. Peter’s Church
9. 4. Belfry of Bruges
9.1. Visitors need to be in good physical shape
9.1.1. if they want to climb the Belfry of Bruges
9.1.2. as it is 366 steep
9.1.2.1. narrow steps to the top
9.2. Completing the climb of this important symbol of Bruges
9.2.1. you can experience great views of the city
9.3. The medieval bell tower dates back to 1240
9.3.1. built at a time when Bruges was a major player in the cloth industry
9.4. It was rebuilt after being destroyed by fire 40 years later
9.4.1. with other fires occurring in the centuries following