After checking into our hotel around noon, we walked back to the Grand Place to find a café in Agora Place for a hearty meal. We were obviously hungry--because the bill was 41 euros. But neither of us took a photo or remember what we ate! It was fun to sit outside though, relax, and enjoy interesting street scenes and people-watching.
After lunch, we returned to the Grand Place to visit the City Museum. I especially wanted to see the room full of costumes sent to and worn by the world-famous statue, Manneken-Pis (separate post).
Other floors in the museum contained tapestries and paintings; stained glass; maps and models of 13th through 17th century Brussels; sculptures, finely-carved altarpieces, and porcelain.
This small altarpiece from the 15th century--labeled as "Life of the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus"--was used in a private home for family devotions. Amazing detail and coloring in this intricately sculpted and painted wooden three-dimensional work.
The bombardment of Brussels by the French, as depicted in this massive and realistic painting, occurred in 1695. The fires that followed were fanned by the wind and subsequently destroyed nearly 4,000 buildings in the city.
Since it was so beautiful outside and temperatures were mild, we didn't want to spend too much time inside. So we pulled out the Rick Steves' book and made our way to the Upper Town. We would see much of this on the following day with our group but we wanted to keep moving. Even though we were wearing down from jet lag, it was only mid-afternoon and too early to throw in the towel!
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