Page 55 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Brussels Bruges Ghent & Antwerp

THE L OWER T OWN  53

of com mercial shopping.
It houses well­known inter­
national chainstores and
shopping malls, such as City 2,
which has shops, cafés and the
media store Fnac all under one
roof. Inno department store was
designed by Horta (see p86),
but after a fire in 1967 it was
entirely rebuilt.
To the east of Rue Neuve is
Place des Martyrs, a peaceful
square where a monument pays
tribute to the 450 citizens killed
during the 1830 uprising.
= City 2
Rue Neuve 123, 1000 BRU. Tel (02) 211
4060. Open 10am–7pm Mon–Thu
The 19th-century glasshouse of Le Botanique in summer & Sat, 10am–7:30pm Fri. Closed Sun,
public hols.
impassioned audience ran into by the French architect
the street in a ramp age that Gineste. This iron glasshouse
developed into the Sep tember still stands, as does much of u Hôtel Métropole
Uprising (see pp38–9). The the 19th­century statuary by Place de Brouckère 31, 1000 BRU.
theatre remains the centre Constantin Meunier (see p21), Map 2 D2. Tel (02) 217 2300.
of Belgian performing arts. including depictions of the @ 29, 38, 46, 47, 63, 66, 71, 86, 88.
Major reno vations took place Four Seasons. The glass house v 3, 4, 32. q De Brouckère.
during the 1980s: the audi­ is now home to the French ∑ metropolehotel.com
torium was raised 4 m (13 ft) Community Cultural Centre
to accom modate the elaborate and offers concerts and The area lying between Place
stage designs, but the luxurious contemporary art exhibitions. Rogier and Place de Brouckère is
Louis XIV­style decor was known as the hotel district of
carefully retained and blended Brussels, and one of the oldest
with the new additions. The y Rue Neuve and grandest hotels in the area
central dome is decorated with Map 2 D2. @ 29, 38, 46, 47, 48, 58, 61, is the Métropole.
an allegory of Belgian arts. 63, 66, 71, 86, 88, 95. v 3, 4, 25, 32, 55. In 1891, the Wielemans
q De Brouckère, Rogier. Brewery bought the building
and commissioned the archi tect
r Comics Art Shoppers in Brussels have been Alban Chambon to re design the
Museum flocking to the busy Rue Neuve interior, with money no object.
since the 19th century for its The result was a fine Art
See pp54–5. reasonably priced goods and Nouveau hotel which opened
well­located stores. Similar to for business in 1895 and
London’s Oxford Street, but now has since accomm odated
t Le Botanique pedestrian ized, this is the heart numerous acclaimed visitors,
including actress Sarah
Rue Royale 236, 1210 BRU. Map 2 E1.
Tel (02) 218 3732. @ 61. v 92, 93. Bernhardt. In 1911, the hotel
q Botanique. Open 11am–6pm was the loca tion of the first
Mon–Fri, noon–6pm Sat & Sun (till science conference Conseil
10pm on concert nights. 7 - Physique Solvay, attended by
∑ botanique.be the great scientists Marie Curie
and Albert Einstein.
In 1797, the city of Brussels The Hôtel Métropole con­
created a botanical garden in tinues to welcome guests from
the grounds of the Palais de all walks of life, at surprisingly
Lorraine as a source of reference reasonable cost given its beauty,
for botany students. The garden history and location. It is
closed in 1826 and new gardens particularly popular for drinks
were relocated in Meise, 13 km in its Café Métropole and on its
(9 miles) from Brussels. heated pavement terrace, which
A grand glass and iron are both open to non­residents
rotunda was designed at Rue Neuve, the longest pedestrian to enjoy cocktails and coffees in
the centre of the gardens shopping street in the city elegant surroundings.

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