Mont des Arts (Mount of the Arts), Brussels

The Mount of the Arts is an urban complex and historic site, home to several important venues like the Royal Library of Belgium, the National Archives of Belgium, and the Square – Brussels Meeting Centre. It is also known for its beautiful public garden.

This part of the city has a long history, dating back to the Middle Ages. Originally, it hosted Jewish communities, who settled here until the 14th century. A remnant of that period is the old "Jewish Stairs", a series of four steep staircases still in place, leading to Brussels' upper town.

By the late 19th century, King Leopold II envisioned this district as a cultural hub. According to his plan, in 1899, the area underwent a significant transformation. In large part, this was spurred by the Brussels International Exposition of 1910. A temporary garden then established eventually became a permanent, cherished green space. The site underwent further changes in the 1950s and 60s, replacing older structures with modernist buildings like the Congress Palace.

Apart from these attractions, The Mount of the Arts offers one of Brussels' finest views. Though the glass-and-steel cube, that forms the new entrance to the Convention Centre, has altered the upper section of the complex, the perspective conceived by architects in the 1950s has largely been preserved. The iconic Town Hall tower in Grand Square is prominently visible from this elevated vantage point. On a sunny day, you can even catch a glimpse of the Sacred Heart Basilica and the Atomium.

Rising to the west is the bronze equestrian statue of Albert I, inaugurated in 1951. The king earned national hero status for his unwavering resistance against the Germans during World War I. His tragic death in a climbing accident near Namur, in southern Belgium, in 1934, elicited a genuine outpouring of grief. Across the square from the king's monument, stands a statue of his wife, Queen Elizabeth.

The place is also popular with fans of punk, hard rock, and other music, who meet here regularly.