Travel
What's your favorite Art Nouveau building?
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Travel
Brussels' Art Nouveau Buildings Open Their Doors To The Public
Every two years, the Art Nouveau and Art Deco Biennial Event opens the doors of magnificent buildings from the city of Brussels. Since 2011 marked the 150th anniversary of Victor Horta's birth, and a particular emphasis was put on his super elegant and fascinating buildings. In a city rather gray, Horta's architecture adds color and tickles the passerby's imagination.
The Art Nouveau and Art Deco Biennial alternates with the famed Flower Carpet Biennial organized in August. However, starting with 2013, a new event, Floralientime will take place in years with odd number in the Grand Place, adding even more color to the city
The Art Nouveau and Art Deco Biennial alternates with the famed Flower Carpet Biennial organized in August. However, starting with 2013, a new event, Floralientime will take place in years with odd number in the Grand Place, adding even more color to the city
Brussels is the capital of Art Nouveau and magnificent structures throughout the city are recognized as "world heritage" by UNESCO. The Art Nouveau and Art Deco Biennial offer a unique opportunity to discover some of these heritage buildings over the four weekends of October.
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| Hotel Tasse. Staircase design by Victor Horta |
On one hand the visitor can explore the city's Art Nouveau architecture district by district, either on foot, by coach, or you can rent a bike. On the other hand the visitor can purchase a pass and visit Art Nouveau interiors, stunning mansions, private homes, apartments, schools, industrial buildings and public buildings usually not open to the public. Around fifteen different interiors are open each weekend, making a total of more than sixty interiors. Guided tours are also available, offering the participants a unique opportunity to find out about their history, how they have been preserved, what it is like to live in them today and how they were inhabited in the past.
In order to make the most of your time in Brussels, you can also visit Victor Horta Museum, the former home of the so called Father of Art Nouveau. The house was built between 1898 and 1901 and is a showcase of stained glass and subway tile, pale wood and wrought iron whose every corner seems magically bathed in golden sunlight. And if you are looking to make your visit a really romantic one, The Dominican Hotel right in the city center is perfect!
What's your favorite Art Nouveau building?
- The Beautiful Second Cities Of Europe
Consider a European holiday, and tourist favourites Rome, Paris, London and Madrid spring immediately to mind. But Europe is so much more than the sum of its capital cities: there are stunning second cities to explore that offer just as much, and in some...
- Grand Place, Brussels. A Photo Essay
Walking around the Grand Place is one of the best things you can do in Brussels. This is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring architectural styles from three different time periods. This summer...
- Floralientime Blooms In Brussels For The Very First Time
Floralientime is the name of a new flower event in Brussels, meant to alternate with the famed "Flower Carpet". Since the Flower Carpet is organized every two years, in years with even number, Floralientime will be organized in the years with odd number,...
- A Walk To Remember. Discovering Porto's Best Kept Secrets
Old Porto tram car still in use Every city has its secret corners that it reveals slowly, over time, to the patient traveler, and Porto is no exception. Therefore we were thrilled when the guys from EcoTours Portugal invited...
- Unesco World Heritage Site: Palace Of Catalan Music, Barcelona
If Barcelona were a woman she would be a ravishing but rebellious Miss Spain misfit, one who regularly neglects her beauty sleep, never feels guilty about having a good time, and does not care what she looks like in the morning. I happen to love Barcelona....