Raphael Kessler

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Belgium

 

Belgium, most people would say there isn't much to say about Belgium. There is the infamous challenge, "Name three famous Belgians". Next time someone asks you, the top ones I think are: Adolphe Sax (inventor of the Saxophone), George Remi (Herge - creator of Tintin), Jean-Claude Van-Damme (action star), Peter Paul Rubens (baroque artist), Rene Magritte (surrealist artist), George Lemaitre (inventor of the big bang theory) and Audrey Hepburn (actress born in Brussels).

What the Belgians do on a world class level is produce beer and chocolate. The beer in Belgium is probably the finest in the world, particularly the Abbey beers (if you were a monk sworn to silence and celibacy but allowed to drink you'd make sure you made the best damn beer in the world too). The chocolate has a well deserved international reputation, the prices however are not too friendly but the pralines are worth it.

Brussels

As the capital of Belgium and of EU administration, this city has generally received some rather undeserved flak. Admittedly, when the most famous sites are a weird giant atom thingy and a small statue of an infant boy pissing, it is an uphill battle to convince people this is a place worth visiting. There are however, some lovely places to see, starting at the Grand Place (main square). At night, it was even prettier, the way it was lit up.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Grand Place
 

There is no way of having a gallery of Brussels without having a selection of the Maneken Pis and the various recreations in Chocolate and outside waffle shops. I don't know why he was dressed up one day, whether it was for a particular occasion of what.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Maneken Pis
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Maneken Pis
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Maneken Pis take
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Maneken Pis
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Maneken Pis
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Maneken Pis Leonidas chocolate
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Maneken Pis Belgian flag waffles

The Cathedral in Brussels is impressive in its grandeur, as well as serenity, architecture and stained glass windows.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Cathedral
 

The Bourse was just around from where we stayed, so was a constant feature as we walked around.

(c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Bourse
 

We went out to see the Atomium and whilst that is quite an impressive, though peculiar thing (built for the Brussels World Fair in 1958), we found the park in which it is set to be a depressing place, so promptly left.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Atomium
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Atomium
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Atomium

Somewhere we stumbled upon, initially as a nice spot in which to have a beer, was the Toone marionette theatre. We went to see their performance of The 3 Musketeers, which was amusing and freaky in almost equal measure. The theatre and bar are surrounded by the marionettes, hanging around as though an overzealous hangman has been doing some extra work.
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Toone Puppet theatre
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Toone Puppet theatre
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Toone Puppet theatre
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Toone Puppet theatre
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Toone Puppet theatre
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Toone Puppet theatre
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Toone Puppet theatre
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Toone Puppet theatre

The old market was where we found a nice, economical restaurant.

(c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Market
 

The Royal Palace was not something we lingered long to look at.

(c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Royal Palace
 

The Palace of Justice is an awesome building. I mean that literally. It seems to have been designed to scare the guilty in to admission. The exterior is imposing, then the entrance is impressive. Then the atrium is overwhelming. After that, the courtrooms actually seem quite modest.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Palais de Justice
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Palais de Justice
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Palais de Justice
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Palais de Justice
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Palais de Justice
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Palais de Justice
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Palais de Justice
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Palais de Justice
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Palais de Justice
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Palais de Justice
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Palais de Justice
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Palais de Justice
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Palais de Justice
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Palais de Justice
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Palais de Justice
 

The streets were pretty at twilight.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Twilight street
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Twilight street
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Twilight street
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Twilight street
 

It was nice of them to name a restaurant for me.

(c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2014 - Belgium - Brussels - Raphael & Raphael
 

 

Ghent

In the summer of 2011, I went to Belgium again and the first city I visited on that foray was Ghent. My friend and I found it to be an absolutely charming place with lovely Flemish architecture. Looking around the centre at night, we found one charming view afer another and were mightily impressed at how the place looked.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Belfry at night
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Belfry at night
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Belfry at night
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Belfry at night
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Belfry at night
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent at night
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent at night
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent at night
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent at night
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent at night
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent at night
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent at night
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent at night
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent at night
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - River at night
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - River at night
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent at night

The following morning, the place still looked good and had more of a wander around checking out the pretty buildings, particularly those set alongside the river and canals. Some of the building were buit for the 1913 Ghent Expo. These were built in a similar style to their neighbours, though the clocktower was supposedly modelled on The Clock Tower at The Houses of Parliament in London. It is a clock tower with four sides, that is where the similarity ends.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent tower
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent spire
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - corner
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent columns
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent spires
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent building
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent view from St. Michael's bridge
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent along the canal
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Expo buildings
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Little door
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Canal
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Old buildings
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Big Ben at the back
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Expo buildings
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Expo buildings
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Expo buildings
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - River view
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Canal view
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Looking up
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Trees growing inside
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - The unfree side
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Reflected in the river
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - the unfree buildings
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Flemish buildings
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Ivy in conrol
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - River tree
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - old building
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Warehouse
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - long building

Apparently the fish on this building of the Guild of the Unfree Boatmen (non-Ghent boatmen) were supposed to be dolphins, however the sculptors had never seen a dolphin, so these were their best guess.

(c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Guild of the Unfree Boatmen with "dolphins"

The Belfry is by virtue of its height, one of the most imposing buildings in Central Ghent.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Belfry
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Belfry
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Belfry
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Belfry at night

The Castle of the Counts sits in the middle of the city and now houses a torture museum.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Canal with Castle of the Counts
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Castle of the Counts
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Castle of the Counts

As there are rivers and canals, there are also bridges to make getting about easier. The most famous of these is Saint Michael's Bridge which was built to improve access to the Expo site. It is also the bridge with some of the best views of central Ghent.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Saint Michael and spectators
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Saint Michael
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - under the bridge
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - under the bridge
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - under the bridge

The dancers atop this building actually turn when the wind blows. When I was there, there wasn't so much as a light breeze, I still liked the look of them. At the design museum is a large vase (I don't know either).

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Dancers
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Dancers
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Ghent - Big Vase at The Design Museum

Brugge

Brugge or Bruges is reputed as the prettiest town in Belgium. It is nice and has lots of attractive buildings and canals, however it is swarming with tourists and the prices are exorbitant.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge - River House
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge - Bicycles
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge - Street
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge - Street
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge - Canal
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge - Lamp
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge - Lamp
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge - 12 and door pull
 

As mentioned above Beer is one of the things Belgium does best, so it would be wrong not to have any pictures of it. Herewith a display of (allegedly) all the Belgian beers and just a wall of beer.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge - Beer display
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - Belgium - Brugge - Beer wall
 

 

All the images and text on this website are the copyright sole property of Raphael Kessler and cannot be copied or reproduced without his express permission. 
If you want to use any of his intellectual material please contact him via the link above