· July 22, 2016 · We launched a brand new special 360 panorama today! In november 1939, the belgian army built an ambush line for the allies of 60 kilometers, from Waver over Halle to Ninove . They deployed 600 workers for this defense line in the bare cold winter. The meaning was stopping the German army in World War 2. In Halle there are 4 WW2-bunkers left and from the rooftop of this one, you have a clear view over the skyline of Stad Brussel . Also the Norkring tower of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw is... very close visible. In the near future, this bunker will be transformed into a home for bats with the help of Natuurpunt View the high resolution version with clickthrough hotspots to the other rooftops of Brussels and VR mode for Google Cardboard here: #s=pano19882 Lines | City Sightseeing Brussels Manneken Pis Central Station The Grand Place is a Unesco World Heritae site. Construction on it began in the 15th Century.

First of all, some market halls and trade guild houses, then a town hall to establish the authority of this trading center. Bombarded for 3 days by the French army in 1695, it was almost completely destroyed but, like a phoenix, it went on to rise from the ashes in 3 years. That's why four styles stand alongside each other or sometimes even overlap: it's a wonderful hotch-potch of Gothic, opulent baroque, neoclassical and neogotic. In the Rue des Sables 20, you have the Belgian Comic Strip Center. It is a former Waucquez store built in 1906 by Victor Horta, the CBBD benefits from volumes and light characteristic of Art Nouveau. Looking back at the 60 years of history of the 9th Art in Belgium, the collection gives pride of place to Hergé, the father of Tintin. Ther is even a reading room for devouring them on the spot. The Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula in a Brabant Gothic-style cathedral that takes us back to the 13th century into the atmosphere of the great builders. Its two towers give it the French look of the period.

It is the most important church in Brussels. Our Royal Family still holds its marriages in this church. The MOOF or Museum of Original Figurines shows the 9th art transposed into figurins along a themed trail for (re)discovering the great herous and myths of Comic Strips. Bld Leopold Royal Greenhouses The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken were King Leopold II's idea for this extraordinary set of greenhouses to be built by the architect Alphonse Balat, assisted by his pupil Victor Horta, in the park adjacent to the royal castle. They are open for visitors from mid-April to early May. The Church of Notre-Dame de Laeken was erected in the 19th century in Early English Gothic style and was dedicated to Marie-Louise, first queen of Belgium. It houses the Royal Crypt where the members of teh dynasty are buried. The Laeken Cemetary ornamented with monuments, each more amazing that the last, is nicknamed the 'Père-Lachaise belge', comparing it with the famous cemetery in Paris. The works of art include a copy of 'The Thinker' of Rodin.

Three buildings with a strange architecture are since hundred years part of the image of Brussels: the Japanese Tower, Chinese Pavilion and the little Museum for Japanese Art. They were realized in the beginning of the XX st century on demand of king Leopold II. The architect, Alexandre Marcel, called French artisans and Belgian laborers, but he also brought decorative pieces of China and Japan. The oriental aspect makes from the 3 buildings a well known touristic attraction, but they host also masterpieces from the Chinese and Japanese collections of the Royal Musea of Art and History. Eglise Notre Dame Laken Atomium The Atomium, inaugurated on the occasioin of the 1958 World Fair and fully renovated in 2005, it is built on the model of an iron crystal enlarged 165 billion times. It offers the most spectacular views of Brussels and Brabant from the top sphere, where there is also a restaurant. Each sphere refers to a Belgian personality. Mini-Europa gives you the opportunity to travel in a few minutes from the Big Ben in London to the gondolas in Venice.

With it's 350 high quality scale models, it shows Europe's leading cities at the foot of the Atomium. With your ticket you have a reduction at the entrance or you can buy a combi-ticket online. Océade is a tropical waterpark. Try the Anaconda, the greatest family waterslide, the mini-waterslides for the kids, the giant waterslides for all kinds of thrills and spills. And enjoy the many activities, Saunaland and the warmest beach in the country. The Planetarium gives you a fascinating and entertaining time gazing the stars. The sky will hold no more secrets for you. The King Baudoin Stadium is the place for sports- or other manifestations. The Renï¿½ Magritte Museum, house of the artist. The Magrittes rented the apartment on the ground floor which was carefully reconstructed with the original furniture. At this address Magritte created almost half of his production. On the upper floors 30 gouaches and drawings are exhibited. A collection of about 400 documents, photos, letters and objects illustrates the career of the artist.

Maison Margritte Koekelberg Basilica The National Basilica or the Basilica of Koekelberg is the fifth largest church in the world and the largest Art Deco edifice ever built. It houses the Musée des Soeurs Noires (Museum of Black Sisters) and the Musée d'Art religieux moderne (Museum of Modern Religious Art). Brussels Aquarium is a permanent exhibition of 47 aquariums from 5 continents, illustrating the kingdom of fish, amphibians and other invertebrates. Port - Tour & Taxis Dansaert The Rue Dansaert is the place where the designers are well established. Here you will find vintage, on-trend, minimalist, baroque and more. The Marché aux Poissons is the place with may welcoming restaurants and outside terraces where you can enjoy fresh fish and other seafood. Everything here is a reminder that Brussels was formerly a very busy trading port, which was refilled in several stages. The streets bear the names of quays. Dansaert Stock Exchange Saint Géry is one of the most popular designdistricts with Dansaert. The perfect spot for creating a trendy wardroe for yourself and an original interior.

The Halles Saint-Géry marked the origin of Brussels in the 10th Century. “The Marolles” is a popular, historic and touristic neighborhood of Brussels. It is the place of Brussels where people speak in “brusseleer”, of the “zwanze” and of authenticity. Today, many artists, art galleries and craftsmen create a unique spirit in the hood.The daily antiques market at the Place du Jeu de Ball is a must-see. * Brusseleer: name of the Brussels dialect, language *Zwanze: way of living with a typical Brussels sense of humor *Brol: a Brussels dialect word for stuff, disorder. The Marolles Manneken Pis Planète Chocolat is a chocolate shop combining tradition and design. Guided tour of the workshop and sampling with explanations and demonstrations. With your ticket you can enjoy free demonstration during the weekend and have a reduction of 10% when you buy chocolate in the shop. At The Waffle Factory fresh home made Liège waffles are made, which you can eat nature or with strawberries, banana, ice cream or whipped cream and/or chocolate sauce.

With your ticket you have 1€ reduction on one of these typical waffles . Manneken Pis is the bronze statuette created in the 17th century by J. Duquesnoy, embodies teh irreverent spirit of Brussels. It was one of the many fountains serving the city. From being a public fountain, the little fellow has now become a legendary figure. It has a wardrobe of over more than 846 pieces which are displayed in an amusing exhibition at the Maison du Roi. Collection : National Tokens : Heritage on a Coin Coin details AALST - Belfort - Carnaval The first historical records on Aalst date from the 9th century, when it was described as the villa Alost, a dependency of the Abbey of Lobbes. Construction of the town hall began in the middle of the 12th century, making it the oldest surviving town hall in Belgium. Several manuscripts from this period still survive in the town archives. Aalst is famous for its carnival festivities, celebrated every year in February. A Prince Carnaval is elected, who is allowed to "rule" the city for three days.

A big parade crosses the city on Sunday, with about 70 groups of costumed volunteers and parade cars. Carnaval Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday (by tradition, the day before Ash Wednesday), is known as the day of the 'Voil Jeannetten' (literally: "the Dirty Jennies"), i.e., men dressed as women. The festivities traditionally end with the "Burning of the Doll", happening on Tuesday evening. The schepenhuis with its belfry is one of an ensemble of related buildings that together have received UNESCO World Heritage status. Location information Coin details ANTWERPEN - Centraal station The Antwerp Central Station is the terminal station of the oldest railway line in Belgium (Brussels-Mechelen-Antwerp). Dubbed the 'Railway Cathedral', it is one of the main landmarks in Antwerp. It was built between 1895 and 1905 and replaced a wooden train station. The complex consists of 3 parts: the station building, the metal and glass vault and the elevated rail track. The monumental main building was designed by the Bruges architect L. Delacenserie.

It has a huge dome and used to have 8 smaller towers of which 6 have been demolished. The colorful interior is lavishly decorated with more than 20 different kinds of marble and stone. The main hall and the railway cafeteria can match the interiors of many palaces. Not a single square meter either inside or outside the building is not decorated. Location information Coin details ANTWERPEN - Nello & Patrasche In front of the entrance of the Antwerp cathedral, a monument was set up for Nello and Patrasche, the two main personages from the tale "A dog of Flanders". The tale is very popular in Japan due to a cartoon series which was transmitted in 1975 on the Japanese TV. Nello was a poor orphan who helped its uncle each morning with bringing milk to Antwerp. One day he saves the live of an abandoned dog, Patrasche, who as from then will never leave Nello. In spite of the many setbacks, the poverty the suffering, Nello remains honestly and sincere. This tale is considered by many as a symbol of the friendship between Japan and Belgium.

Location information Coin details ANTWERPEN - Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Kathedraal 1352-1521 The Cathedral of Our Lady (Dutch: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Antwerp, Belgium. Today's see of the Diocese of Antwerp was started in 1352 and, although the first stage of construction was ended in 1521, has never been 'completed'. In Gothic style, its architects were Jan and Pieter Appelmans. It contains a number of significant works by the Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens, as well as paintings by artists such as Otto van Veen, Jacob de Backer and Marten de Vos. The cathedral is on the list of World Heritage Sites. Location information Coin details ANTWERPEN - P.P. Rubens 1577 - 1610 The Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens is considered the most important artist of the 17th century, whose style became an international definition of the animated, exuberantly sensuous aspects of baroque painting.

In 1577 Peter Paul was born in exile at Siegen, Westphalia. After his father's death in 1587, the family moved to Antwerp, where they again became Catholics. After studying the classics in a Latin school and serving as a court page, Peter Paul decided to become a painter. In 1598, at the age of 21, he was accorded the rank of master painter of the Antwerp Guild of St. Luke. In 1600 he arrived in Venice, where he fell under the spell of the radiant color and majestic forms of Titian, whose work had a formative influence on Rubens's mature style. Later, while resident in Rome, he was influenced by the works of Michelangelo and Raphael, as well as by ancient Greco-Roman sculpture. During Rubens's 8 years (1600-08) as court painter to the duke of Mantua, he assimilated the lessons of the other Italian Renaissance masters and made a journey to Spain that had a profound impact on the development of Spanish baroque art. During the final decade of his life, Rubens turned more and more to portraits, genre scenes, and landscapes.

Location information Coin details ANTWERPEN - Rubenshuis In a side-street (named 'Wapper') of the Meir avenue stands the former house of Peter Paul Rubens, the greatest and most famous of all the Antwerp painters. Rubens bought an existing 16th century house there, after he had returned from his stay in Italy (1600-1608). He lived in the house from 1616 onwards and died there in 1640. It now houses the 'Rubens House -Museum'. Nowadays visitors should be aware that they don't visit a house as it was left behind by its most famous inhabitant, but rather a reconstruction of what it must have looked like in the first half of the 17th century. The collection of paintings by Rubens himself and by some of his contemporaries alone already make it worth to visit, during which one can stroll through the reconstructed garden, visit the work shop of Rubens and his private quarters. Location information Coin details ANTWERPEN - Shopping Stadsfeestzaal The Stadsfeestzaal is a neoclassical building dating from 1908.

It was built according to plans made by city architect Alexis Van Mechelen on request of the municipality. It is situated on the Meir, the main shopping street in Antwerp. Another entrance is located at Hopland. Along the Meir there always have been retail spaces and apartments. Through a gate they had access to the rear hall. The hall has long been one of the most famous rooms in Antwerp. There were art exhibitions, Antwerp Antiques Fair, the Book Fair, Motor Shows and various celebrations. In 1983 the building was classified as a protected monument. Location information Coin details BASTOGNE - Ardennes '44 The Battle of Bastogne was a smaller battle in and around the Belgian town of Bastogne, during the larger Battle of the Bulge. The battle lasted from December 1944 to January 1945. During the battle, German divisions surrounded and attempted to capture Bastogne. The town was being held by the american 101st Airborne Division. The German forces tended to focus their attacks at one spot on several individual locations attacked in sequence. Although this made the American forces move about, it tended to dissipate the German advantage.

Despite the Germans numerical advantage, they were not able to take the city. Location information Coin details BASTOGNE - Historical center The Mardasson Memorial is a tribute from the Belgian population as a whole to the American nation. For the Americans, Bastogne is the symbol of their legendary spirit of resistance, but also of their sense of judgment in their victorious counter offensive.The Memorial is shaped to represent the star of freedom, with five points, each one measuring 31 meters. The central atrium�s diameter is 20 meters with a height of up to 12 meters, the summit is encompassed by a circular gallery leading to the orientation tables (scale models showing different stages of the battle), one for each point of the star. The names of the 48 states which then made up the United States are engraved on the crown. Around the outside, badges from the main battalions to have participated in the Battle of the Saillant, can be found. On the inner wall the battle�s progression is explained in English and in ten painting.

Location information Coin details BOUILLON - Bouillon Panorama In the Middle Ages Bouillon was a lordship within the Duchy of Lower Lorraine and the principal seat of the Ardennes-Bouillon dynasty in the 10th and 11th century. In the 11th century they dominated the area, and held the ducal title along with many other titles in the region. Bouillon was the location of the ducal mint and the dominant urban concentration in the dukes' possession. The Semois river and the castleThe most famous of the Lords of Bouillon was Godfrey of Bouillon, who sold Bouillon Castle to the Bishopric of Liege. The bishops started to call themselves dukes of Bouillon, and the town emerged as the capital of a sovereign duchy by 1678, when it was captured from the bishopric by the French army and given to the La Tour d'Auvergne family. The duchy was prized for its strategic location as "the key to the Ardennes" (as Vauban called it) and hence to France itself.

It remained a quasi-independent protectorate, like Orange and Monaco, until 1795, when the Republican Army finally annexed it to France. Location information BRUGELETTE - Pairi Daiza - Panda's Haohao & Xinghui The two Chinese pandas Hao Hao and Xing Hui arrived in Belgium on Sunday 23 February 2014. The Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a black and white bear native to central- and south-western China. It has black fur on ears, eye patches, muzzle, legs, and shoulders. The rest of the animal�s coat is white. Although scientists do not know why these unusual bears are black and white, some speculate that the bold coloring provides effective camouflage into their shade-dappled snowy and rocky surroundings. The panda�s thick, wooly coat keeps it warm in the cool forests of its habitat. Giant pandas have large molar teeth and strong jaw muscles for crushing tough bamboo.

Location information Coin details BRUGELETTE - Pairi Daiza: Royaume de Ganesha - The Temples The 4-hectare (9.9-acre) Kingdom of Ganesha, which was opened in 2009, is the largest Indonesian garden in Europe, and reproduces the plant life and feel of the Indonesian archipelago, particularly Bali. Its collections include Pura Agung Shanti Buwana Balinese Hindu temple, East Nusa Tenggara and Toraja traditional houses and miniature replicas of Borobudur and Prambanan temples. In August 2009 the Indonesian government has sent a pair of Sumatran elephants to enliven the Indonesian Park. It is the first endangered animal breeding loan program that Indonesia ever had in Europe. The temple is a tribute to the supreme deity that favours harmony, serenity, prosperity and happiness. Indeed, 'Agung' stands for large, Santi for serene and Bhuwana for the Universe. Pairi Daiza dedicated this temple to the Hindu community of the Lage Landed. As with all Hindu temples the basic structure is based on precise symbolic, numerological and astrological calculations.

Location information BRUGGE - Historium Brugge WALKTHROUGH EXPERIENCE Historium is an experience attraction. You will step through lifelike sets in which film, music and special effects combine to create a magical experience. In this way you will live out an engrossing love story played out in the golden age of Bruges. It is more than seeing and hearing. You can smell and feel how life was in those times. Thanks to the audio guide, you will experience everything in your own language. The story that you experience in Historium takes you back to the 15th century, or 1435 to be precise. You will witness the day when Jacob met the love of his life... The young Jacob works for Jan Van Eyck, the famous painter, and in the early morning has to pick up model Anna and parakeet Frederico from the Bruges quays. But not everything goes as planned... Multi Senses! Historium is more than seeing and hearing. You step back into the past... and smell and feel how life was back then. Special effects make the experience even more intense.

Prepare to be amazed by the smell of sage soap in the baths and feel the wind when you fly over the old city. Enjoy the music by Nicholas Lens specially written for Historium, performed by the Brussels Philharmonic and the Flemish Radio Choir. Location information Coin details BRUSSEL - Basilica Koekelberg The National Basilica of the Sacred Heart (French: Basilique Nationale du Sacr�-C�ur, Dutch: Nationale Basiliek van het Heilig-Hart) is a Roman Catholic Minor Basilica and parish church in Brussels. The church was dedicated to the Sacred Heart, inspired by the Basilique du Sacr�-Coeur in Paris. Symbolically King Leopold II laid the first stone of the basilica in 1905 during the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Belgian independence. The construction was halted by the two World Wars and wasn't finished until 1969. Belonging to the Metropolitan Archbishopric of Mechelen-Brussels, it is one of the ten largest Roman Catholic church by area in the world.

Located in the Parc Elisabeth atop the Koekelberg Hill in Brussels' Koekelberg municipality, the church is popularly known as the Koekelberg Basilica (French: Basilique de Koekelberg or Dutch: Basiliek van Koekelberg). The massive brick and concrete reinforced church features two thin towers and a green copper dome that rises 89 metres (292 ft) above the ground, dominating the northwestern skyline of Brussels. Location information Coin details BRUSSEL - Pope Franciscus Francis (Latin: Franciscus) born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 17 December 1936, is the 266th and current pope of the Catholic Church, a position also holding the roles of Sovereign of Vatican City and the Bishop of Rome. Born in Buenos Aires as the son of Italian parents, Bergoglio worked briefly as a chemical technician before entering seminary. He was ordained a priest in 1969. From 1973 to 1979 he was Argentina's Provincial superior of the Society of Jesus. He became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, and a cardinal in 2001.

Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, on 13 March 2013 the papal conclave elected Bergoglio, who chose the papal name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis is the first Jesuit pope, the first pope from the Americas, and the first from the Southern Hemisphere. Coin available at the Sint Michiels Cathedral - Brussels Location information Coin details DE PANNE - De Nachtegaal The Flemish Visitors- and Nature education centre �De Nachtegaal� is situated in De Panne between the national reserve �De Westhoek� and the natural area �De Oosthoekduinen�. The main goal of �De Nachtegaal� is to provide information about the coastal environment, beach and dunes. The centre hopes to reach as many people as possible who want to (re) discover, appreciate and take care of nature. The � VBNC De Nachtegaal� is administered by the Agency for Nature and Wood, a department of the Ministry of Environment, Nature and Energy. This Agency is mainly in charge of the purchase, the establishment and the control of the coast dune areas.

Location information Coin details DIKSMUIDE - Dodengang Diksmuide Two kilometres further along the River Yzer stands one of the most evocative reminders of the war in the Westhoek: the so-called �Trench of Death�. This kilometre-long network of revetments, saps and dug-outs was one of the most dangerous Belgian positions on the Western Front, situated just 50 metres from a German bunker. As a result, the trench was subjected to almost constant fire from German snipers and machine guns. The site was recently renovated and a new visitors� centre was opened. Using maps, photographs, videos and war memorabilia, a permanent exhibition in the centre shows the relative positions of friend and foe, charts the destruction of the surrounding towns and villages and tells the story of life � and death � in the front-line. Coin details DIKSMUIDE - Ijzertoren - Museum aan de Ijzer The IJzertoren (Yser Tower) is a memorial along the Belgian Yser river in Diksmuide. There have been two IJzertorens, the first built after the First World War by an organisation of former Flemish soldiers.

On the night of 15 and 16 March 1946 it was illegally demolished with dynamite; the perpetrators were never caught, though there are strong indications of involvement of the Belgian military and anti-Flemish, French-speaking radicalists. Several years later, a new and higher tower was built on the same place. With the remains of the old tower, the Paxpoort or Pax-gate (Gate of Peace) was built. The IJzertoren site is also the burial place of some Flemish soldiers killed on the battlefield, who have become examples and heroes for Flanders. Location information Coin details DURBUY - Durbuy - La plus petite ville du monde Durbuy is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Luxembourg. On 1 January 2007 the municipality had 10,633 inhabitants. The total area is 156.61 km�, giving a population density of 67.9 inhabitants per km�. In medieval times Durbuy was an important centre of commerce and industry.

In 1331 the town was elevated to the rank of city by John I, Count of Luxemburg, and King of Bohemia. Tourism and recreation are its main activities nowadays. The villages of W�ris, well known for its megaliths, Barvaux-sur-Ourthe and Bomal are located in the municipality of Durbuy. Durbuy is often described, albeit without much justification, as the smallest city (sometimes town) in the world. Location information Coin details GENK - Cosmodrome Are you ready for an exciting journey of discovery along stars, planets and other mysterious phenomena? The Euro Planetarium guarantees you a fascinating and exciting trip ... Accompanied by Astro Rangers you live a swirling Cosmodrome Show and bring you to visit the 3-meter telescope in our observatory. Cosmodrome has opened in the Europlanetarium in the easterly city of Genk (Limburg) in 2010. The Cosmodrome is a dome measuring 250 square metres covered with monitors on the inside. This makes it possible to do 360� projections. Two full high definition projectors create a three dimensional experience.

The dome will be used to create projections of the heavens showing the different star constellations. Special software will allow visitors to get the impression that they are hurtling through space or are visiting the International Space Station. Location information Coin details GENT - Belfort Gent The 91-meter-high belfry of Ghent is one of three medieval towers that overlook the old city center of Ghent, Belgium, the other two belonging to Saint Bavo Cathedral and Saint Nicholas' Church. Through the centuries, it has served not only as a bell tower to announce the time and various warnings, but also as a fortified watchtower and town treasury. Construction of the tower began in 1313 to the design of master mason Jan van Haelst, whose plans are still preserved in a museum. After continuing intermittently through wars, plagues and political turmoil, the work reached completion in 1380. It was near the end of this period that the gilded dragon, brought from Bruges, assumed its place atop the tower. The uppermost parts of the building have been rebuilt several times, in part to accommodate the growing number of bells.

The belfry of Ghent, together with its attached buildings, belongs to the set of belfries of Belgium and France inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Location information Coin details HAN - Grotten van Han - Draperies The more famous Belgian caves are at Han-sur-Lesse, one of Rochefort's constituent towns, where the Lesse River disappears at what is called the gap or hole of Belvaux and passes by subterranean passages under the hill called Boeme or Boine. The endeavor to trace the course of the river led to the discovery of the grottoes, which consist of fifteen separate connected "halls" that emerge in a bay of the river from a dark and extensive cavern forming a sort of side creek or bay. Except in flood-time, when the exit has to be used, the entrance is near the point where the river disappears at what is called the gap or hole of Belvaux, and the exit is made by boat from the cavern last described, which leads out to the open river. A beautiful effect for tourists in boats is afforded by emerging from the complete darkness of this cavern into the light.

The finest stalactites are in the three halls called the Mysterieuses, the Vigneron and the Draperies where is " the tomb", which looks as if chiseled out of white marble. The central hall called the Salle d'Armes ("the Armory") is immense, and one of the river channels flows through it. Location information Coin details HAN - Wolf - Le domaine des grottes de Han The caves of Han are the result of the underground erosion of a limestone hill by the river Lesse. The river forces its way under the hill over a distance of over one kilometer as the crow flies. The caves have a constant temperature of 13�C (55�F) and a high level of humidity. Access is only possible via a vintage streetcar, a remnant of the country's once extensive vicinal tramway system, which departs from the center of Han. The wolf disappeared from our regions around a hundred years ago, but lately he's back in our neighboring countries and also in Belgium he re-appeared several times.

Location information Coin details HASSELT - Plopsa Hasselt Plopsaland are children's theme parks owned by Studio 100, a Flemish company that produces popular children's television series and music bands. - Plopsaland De Panne is an outdoor amusement park near the Belgian coast. - Plopsaland Indoor is an indoor amusement park in Hasselt. - Plopsa Coo is an outdoor amusement park near Coo in Wallonia. These amusement parks are a magnet for kids and their families, and a perfect place to go while on holidays for the best of the best in amusement. The attractions all have a theme from one of Studio 100's soaps or musicbands, such as Kabouter Plop, Samson & Gert, Big & Betsy, Piet Piraat, Wizzy & Woppy, Spring and K3. Location information A lot of people take water for granted. Just turn the tap and there it is. We hardly ever give it more thought. Yet without water there is no life. Water is one of the most important commodities in the world, and a crucial factor in the global economy.

Through interaction, fun and emotion, the innovative water centre Hidrodoe offers visitors information on all aspects of water in a playful manner. By way of powerful concepts, varied displays, astonishing multimedia and well thought-out experiments, water becomes an emotional event. Hidrodoe urges to physically learn, react, play, and experiment. Visitors are guided on an exploratory expedition through the world of water along numerous exhibits (indoor and outdoor). From water poetry to the largest whirlpool in the world� Hidrodoe has it all. Location information Coin details KOKSIJDE - Ten Duinen Nine-hundred years ago, the hermit Ligerius withdrew into the dunes of Westhoek, a solitary retreat that sowed the seeds from which a burgeoning abbey community would spring and indelibly stamp the region with its unique personality. Austerity, frugality, obedience, and a wholly dedicated devotion prove to be mighty ideals. The role of the Monks of the Dunes Abbey on a spiritual, cultural, and commercial plane is unsurpassed, reaching out to far beyond the boundaries of the present Flemish frontiers.

For many centuries, the silhouette of the Cistercian Dunes Abbey dominated the landscape, until, as all things must, it succumbed to the inevitable encroachment of Time. Excavations and painstaking restoration campaigns have unearthed the abbey's foundations from beneath the dust. Today, the remnants of all that behold them. Seek out the silence of the site and stand in awe and marvel before one of the earliest examples of brick architecture within Flanders. Experience the daily life in a medieval Cistercian abbey. Living, working, praying, playing, loving, etc. You'll be surprised at how different and yet similar medieval and modern man really are. Location information Coin details LA ROCHE-EN-ARDENNE - Ch�teau de la Roche-en-Ardenne Dominating the valley ans nestled between a curve of the river Ourthe and the steep slopes of the Deister hill, the ruins of the medieval castle built between the XI-XIIIth and the XIVth century tower over the town of La Roche. The catsle was built on a large interlocking of pieces of local shale, held together by a mixture of chalk and sand.

In the XIIth century, the fortification assumed a strategic role in the protection and development of the commercial centre, wich had becom an important stop on the English wool trade route leading to Lombardy. The site was inhabited until 1780. The French (Louis XIV) had captured it on 10 August 1681 and had transformed the stately dwelling of yore. Abandoned by Joseph II, it fell into ruins ans served as a source of building materials for the local inhabitants of La Roche throughout the previous century. Location information Coin details LENNIK - Kasteel van Gaasbeek The historical castle domain of Gaasbeek is situated in the very heart of the �Pajottenland�, only a few miles southwest from Brussels. The first castle of Gaasbeek was built around 1240 as a fortress to protect Brussels and the Duchy of Brabant against attacks from Hainaut and Flanders. It was destroyed in 1388. Early in the sixteenth century, the Horne family built a brick mansion on the foundations of the medieval fortress. In the subsequent centuries, the castle was lived in and rebuilt by influential families.

It was given its present romantic appearance during the 1887-1889 restoration by order of the marchioness Arconati Visconti (n�e Peyrat). The castle and grounds were donated to the Belgian State in 1922. Since 1980, they are the property of the Flemish Community. A magnificent park with spectacular vistas and historical gardens surrounds the castle, which now houses an important art collection, illustrating the taste and history of its former owners. Location information Coin details LEUVEN - Stadhuis Leuven Leuven's Town Hall is one of the best-known Gothic town halls worldwide and Leuven's pride and joy. It took three architects and thirty years to build it. Leuven's 'Hall of Fame' features 236 statues, which were only added to the fa�ade after 1850. There are 220 men and 16 women in total. On the bottom floor are famous Leuven scientists, artists and historical figures, dressed in Burgundian garb. The first floor is reserved for the patron saints of the various parishes of Leuven.

Above them the fa�ade is adorned by the counts and dukes of Brabant while the towers primarily feature biblical figures. These days the town hall merely has a ceremonial function after the city's administrative services moved in 2009. The tourist information center is situated on the side of the Town Hall. Location information Coin details LI�GE - Fort Eben-Emael Fort Eben-Emael is an inactive Belgian fortress located between Li�ge and Maastricht, on the Belgian-Dutch border, near the Albert Canal, and designed to defend Belgium from a German attack across the narrow belt of Dutch territory in the region. Constructed in 1931�1935, it was reputed to be impregnable and at the time, the largest in the world. The fort was successfully neutralized by glider-borne German troops on 10 May 1940 during the Second World War. The action cleared the way for German ground forces to enter Belgium, unhindered by fire from Eben-Emael. Still the property of the Belgian Army, the fort has been preserved and may be visited.

Location information Coin details LIER - Belfry and Town Hall Visitors can spot some beautiful historic buildings on the town square of the city of Lier.The town hall was built in Rococo-style and has a beautiful pediment which bears the coat of arms of the city. Against the town hall stands the belfry tower. This important tower is the symbol of the power and the autonomy of the city. From the balcony of this tower the official city announcements were proclaimed. The tower itself dates from 1369, a time when the city of Lier became rather prosperous. Today, the belfry tower is the last remainder of what used to be the cloth hall, the symbol of the medieval economic expansion of the corporation of cloth workers. Location information Coin details MARCINELLE - Le Bois du Cazier Because coal is the main source of energy in the 19th century, the charleroi area becomes the region of industries. The Bois du Cazier colliery is born in 1822 by the grace of Willem I, king of the Netherlands, who grants Lady Dowager Desmanet the first exploitation authorisation.

In 1955, production is 170,557 tons for a total of 779 workers. On 8 August 1956 at the Bois du Cazier mine at Marcinelle a fire started which would claim the lives of 262 men, of which 136 were Italian and 95 Belgian. They were burnt to death or choked as a result of the smoke. The youngest victim was only 14 years of age. Only 13 mine workers were able to escape.At 8.10 am a wagon of coal was pushed into the lift cage at the 975 metre level, partly pushing out an empty wagon already in the cage. The lift suddenly started moving with both wagons partly in the cage. The two wagons were dragged upwards snapping electrical cables and breaking oil and air pipes. The oil and the woodwork in the mine caught fire and smoke and gas spread rapidly through the galleries. The lift cables broke due to the heat making access more difficult for the rescue team.

Some survivors were recovered that day, and efforts continued until 23 August when rescue teams finally left the mine with the words "Tutti cadaveri" - all dead. Location information Coin details MECHELEN - Sint Romboutstoren The tower of Saint Rumbold is not just a church tower, it is a belfry. Belfries originate from the late middle ages. Originally they housed the alarm-bells, later on also a clock and carillon. These towers organised the daily life of the community. In the middle ages, the former county of Flanders was one of the most prosperous regions in Europe. Building belfries in important cities was above all an expression of the power and richness of the county. Today the sound of the bells still reminds us of the presence of the age-old towers which are part of the city landscape in Flanders and the north of France. The unfinished tower of Saint Rumbold also became a landmark for Mechelen. The tower as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Location information Coin details MEISE - Jardin Botanique The National Botanic Garden of Belgium (French: Jardin Botanique National de Belgique) is located in the grounds of Bouchout Castle near the village of Meise, just north of Brussels. It is one of the largest botanical gardens in the world with an extensive collection of living plants in addition to a herbarium of over 3 million specimens. The current garden was established in 1958 after it moved from the centre of Brussels; the former site is now the Botanical Garden of Brussels. Researchers at the garden conduct research particularly on Belgian and African plants. The Botanic Garden contains about 18,000 plant species�about 6% of all known plant species of the world. Half are in greenhouses, the other half, including cultivated and indigenous plants, are outdoors. The gardens are grouped around the castle and lake of the Bouchout domain.

The mission statement of the National Botanic garden of Belgium specifies the increasing and spreading "the knowledge of plants" and contributions to "the conservation of biodiversity." Location information Coin details MODAVE - Ch�teau de Modave The Ch�teau of Modave (Ch�teau de Modave), also known as the Ch�teau des Comtes de Marchin is a ch�teau near the village of Modave in the province of Li�ge, Belgium. The oldest part of the building, the donjon, was built on a strategic rock high above the valley of the river Hoyoux. The oldest parts still visible today date probably from the 13th century and were erected by the lords of Modave. In the 19th century it was owned by the non-noble families of Lamarche, Braconier and Van Hoegaerden. Finally, the Compagnie Intercommunale Bruxelloise des Eaux ("Brussels Intercommunal Water Company") bought the property in March 1941, in order to protect the important water catchments in the park. The company still owns the ch�teau today and has been restoring it with great care.

It is open for visitors from April until October and it is also used as a prestigious venue for concerts and receptions. Location information Coin details MONS - H�tel de ville - Le Singe du grand Garde Outside the main entrance of City Hall of Mons is a small iron statue of a monkey. Its origin is not really known, but it dates back several centuries. Some historians claim it was placed there in order to bring luck to the city and its inhabitants. Today, the tradition is that whoever passes the monkey has to touch its head with his left hand for the fulfillment of a vow. One can notice in the picture that the head of the monkey is no longer the same colour as the rest of his body and it appears worn. His story is based on three assumptions: a masterpiece of a blacksmith who wished to access the mastery of his art, a pillory for troubled children or the sign of a tavern, "The tavern in the town square" which is found in the basement of Town hall. It was declared a lucky charm by a young mons in 1930. Coin details OOSTDUINKERKE - Nationaal Visserijmuseum The fishing museum was founded by Honore Loones.

It is suspected that he was inspired by the first maritime museum in Oostduinkerke that was situated above the town. This museum disappeared during the Second World War. The fishing museum was founded in Oostduinkerke because once a real fishing village was situated between this municipality and Newport. It started with fishing on fish. Oostduinkerke Koksijde beach is the best and most known fishing town. The fishing village has disappeared around 1600. Oostduinkerke was once a fishing village with its own identity and its own naval vessels. Location information Coin details OOSTENDE - Fort Napoleon Napoleon built this fort as a defence against a possible invasion from England. A British invasion never came, and the fort was completed only upon the fall of Napoleon in 1814. During the two world wars, the fort was used by the German military. After the liberation, however, it fell into disrepair. Since 1995, Fort Napoleon has been managed by �Erfgoed Vlaanderen� that sees to the restoration and has turned it into a hospitable spot.

Today you can not only discover the captivating past, but also enjoy the cultural activities, a relaxing visit to the bistro or a gourmet dinner in an exclusive setting. Fort Napoleon is one of the top venues in Oostende. It is situated next to the sea, with a superb terrace that offers a unique view of the port of Oostende and the city centre. Location information Coin details OOSTENDE - Mercator The barquentine Mercator lies at anchor in Oostende, Belgium. She was named after Gerardus Mercator (1512-1594), Flemish cartographer. She was designed by the Antarctic explorer Adrien de Gerlache (1866-1934) as a training ship for the Belgian merchant fleet. She was built in Leith, Scotland and launched in 1932. Besides being a training a ship, she was also used, mainly before World War II, for scientific observations, or as ambassador for Belgium on world fairs and in sailing events. She participated in several races, winning the 1960 Oslo-Oostende tall ships race. She brought back two Moai (giant statues) from Easter Island.

In 1936 she brought home from Molokai, Hawaii, the remains of Father Damien. During World War II she was commissioned into the Royal Navy as HMS Mercator. Based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, she was the support ship for submarine forces in the area. Her last trip was to Lisbon for the commemoration of the quincentenary of the death of infante Henry the Navigator. Location information Coin details PHILIPPEVILLE - Gambrinus Drivers Museum The Gambrinus Drivers Museum is a unique museum dedicated to brewery trucks. The name Gambrinus owes its origin to the Duke of Brabant, Jan Primus, who was known as �the King of Beer�� �King of the road� for trucks and king of beer! Don�t forget that around 1930, breweries were the largest buyers of trucks. The disappearance of breweries put an end to numerous localized truck makers. This museum is in former maltings-brewery-farm buildings of the 19� century (the Bouty brewery, which ceased production in 1975) which makers an unusual background for our vehicles. The museum contains 20 vehicles and 75 themed displays.

Please excuse us if ail the vehicles are not on display, because some are undergoing restoration or attending specialist events. Location information Coin details PROVINCE HAINAUT - Canal du Centre Historique The Canal du Centre is a canal in Belgium, which, with other canals, links the waterways of the Meuse and Scheldt rivers. It has a total length of 20.9 km. It connects the artificial lake Grand Large near Nimy, with the Brussels-Charleroi Canal near Seneffe. The canal begins in the west at Mons, and passes through the towns of Nimy, Obour, Ville-sur-Haine, and Thieu. This section is 15km long, and has a relief of 23.26m. The canal climbs by means of six locks. There are five locks with a relief of 4.2m, and a final lock with a relief of 2.26m at ThieuThe next section of the original canal route between Thieu and Houdeng-Goegnies climbs 66m over a distance of 6790m, which is too steep a climb for canal locks.

Therefore, this section contains four hydraulic boat lifts, dating from 1888 to 1917, which are now on the UNESCO World Heritage list (see Lifts on the old Canal du Centre). These lifts were designed by Edwin Clark of the British company Clark, Stansfield & Clark. For commercial traffic this stretch of the canal has, since 2002, been replaced by an enlarged parallel canal. Location information Coin details PROVINCE HAINAUT - Plan Inclin� de Ronqui�res The Ronqui�res Inclined Plane is a Belgian canal inclined plane on the Brussels-Charleroi Canal in the province of Hainaut in Wallonia that opened in April 1968 after a six year construction period. It is located in the municipality of Braine-le-Comte, and takes its name from the nearby village of Ronqui�res. The purpose of the construction was to reduce the delays imposed by the fourteen locks (already reduced from sixteen in the nineteenth century) which had hitherto been needed for the canal to follow the local topography.

The Ronqui�res Inclined Plane has a length of 1,432 m and lifts boats through 67.73 m vertically. It consists of two large caissons mounted on rails. Each caisson measures 91 m long by 12 m wide and has a water depth between 3 and 3.70 m. It can carry one boat of 1,350 tonnes or many smaller boats within the same limits. Location information Coin details STREPY-THIEU - Ascenseur de Str�py-Thieu The Str�py-Thieu boat lift (French: L'ascenseur funiculaire de Str�py-Thieu) lies on a branch of the Canal du Centre in the municipality of Le R�ulx, Hainaut, Belgium. In 1963, when modernisation works were taking place on the Canal du Centre opening out the Meuse and Scheldt river basins, a vertical lift with a drop of 73 m stood out as the best solution to overcome a difference in level of over 70 metres, between La Louvi�re and Thieu.

Open to waterway traffic in 2002, the new engineering structure replaced two old locks and four hydraulically powered lifts, commissioned between 1888 and 1919. Location information Coin details TONGEREN - Ambiorix Ambiorix was the leader of the Eburones, a Belgic tribe of north-eastern Gaul (Gallia Belgica), where nowadays Belgium is located, conquered by Julius Ceasar in 57 BC. One day, Ambiorix cunningly warned the Romans that several other tribes were planning to attack and advised them to relocate to another Roman camp so that they would be stronger to battle these troops. The Romans would rather be safe then sorry, so they decided to relocate and join with other Roman troops. While they crossed a valley Ambiorix and his men attacked them from up the hills and slaughtered the whole Roman legion. When Ceasar heard what had happened, he swore to put down all the Belgic tribes. The Roman campaigns against the Belgae took a few years, but eventually the Belgae were no match against 50,000 trained Roman soldiers. The tribes were slaughtered or driven out and their fields burned. The Eburones were history from that point.

Ambiorix and his men, however, managed to cross the Rhine and disappear without a trace. Location information Coin details TONGEREN - Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek One of the most remarkable monuments of Tongeren is Our Lady�s Basilica with its majestic 64-metre-high bell tower. This marvelous Gothic church has a long history, since its first stone was laid in 1240. According to legend, bishop Saint Servatius founded a first church on this spot in the 4th century. Archaelogical researches have indeed discovered masonry from the 4th century and proven that also in the 9th century a Carolingian prayer house must have existed here. The building of the choir of the present Basilica was started in 1240. Nave, transepts and side chapels were added between the 13th and 15th century. The original romanesque tower was replaced by the present gothic tower from 1442 until 1541. One of the most famous treasures in the Basilica is the statue of Our Lady of Tongeren, made in 1475.

The treasury of the Basilica is housed in the former hall of the Chapter and comprises one of the richest collections of religious art in Belgium. Artifacts of immeasurable value, ranging from the Merovingian era until the 19th century are on display : statues, reliquaries, ivory, etc... Behind the Basilica is the Convent, with its beautiful and tranquile corridors. Location information Coin details TOURNAI - Beffroi de Tournai The belfry (French: beffroi) of Tournai, Belgium, is a freestanding bell tower of medieval origin, 72 metres in height with a 256-step stairway. This landmark building is one of a set of belfries of Belgium and France registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Construction of the belfry began around 1188 when King Philip Augustus of France granted Tournai its town charter, conferring among other privileges the right to mount a communal bell to ring out signals to the townsfolk. The tower in its original form was evocative of the feudal keep, with a square cross section and crenelated parapet.

It served in part as a watchtower for spotting fires and enemies. The growing city saw fit to expand the belfry in 1294, raising it by an additional stage, and buttressing its corners with four polygonal towerlets. A soldier statue was placed atop each towerlet, and a dragon icon surmounted the entire structure. The dragon, symbol of power and vigilance, also adorns other old tower tops in Belgium, including those of the Cloth Hall of Ypres and the belfry of Ghent. Location information Coin details VEURNE - Veurne - markt Veurne, in Latin Furna, is first found in 877 as a possession of the Saint Bertin Abbey in Saint-Omer. Around 890 AD, it was noted as a fortification against the Viking raids. It soon was placed at the head of the castellany of Veurne, a large territory counting 42 parishes and some 8 half-independent parishes, owing allegiance to the Count of Flanders. Veurne became a city in the 12th century. During the following century, trade with England flourished.

In 1270, however, the relations with England came to a standstill and the city�s economy went into a long decline; hence the nickname of the Veurne Sleepers. On August 20, 1297, the Battle of Veurne was fought in the ongoing struggle between the Flemish cities and the French king. Location information Coin details VILLERS - Abbaye de Villers The Abbaye de Villers (Villers Abbey), situated in the commune of Villers-la-Ville in grounds of more than 36 hectares, is a destination site imbued with history and emotion. In 1146, twelve Cistercian monks and three lay brothers from Clairvaux came to Villers in order to establish the abbey on land granted them by Gauthier de Marbais. After establishing several preliminary sites (Villers I and Villers II), work was finally undertaken in the 13th century to build the current site. The choir was constructed by 1217, the crypt by 1240 and the refectory by 1267. The church itself took seventy years to build and was completed by the end of the century.

During this period, the abbey reached the height of its fame and importance. Contemporary accounts suggest that roughly 100 monks and 300 lay brothers resided within its walls, although this is possibly an exaggeration. The lands attached to the abbey also expanded considerably, reaching some 100 km� of woods, fields and pasturage. Location information Coin details ZONNEBEKE - 1917 Memorial Museum Passchendaele Zonnebeke and Passendale are two little villages, at a stone's throw from Ypres. During the British attack of 1917, there were 500.000 casualties in 100 days for a gain territory of only 5 miles. Passchendaele became an international symbol of senseless military violence in its most cruel form. In the Memorial Museum the memory of the battle is kept alive through images and movies, a large collection of historical artefacts and several life-like-diorama's. Eye-cathcher is an underground dugout tunnel with communication- and dressing post, headquarters, workplaces and dormitories. A breathtaking experience of how the British had to live underground like moles...

just because there was nothing left above. The museum is set up in the historical castle of Zonnebeke, on the road to Tyne Cot Cemetery. Location information 5 European Cities to Visit on a Budget | Living Language 5 European Cities to Visit on a Budget Posted on by Living Language In case you didn’t already have enough reasons to plan a trip to Europe, we’ve gathered some favorite articles for you to peruse. The money you spent on the latte you’re sipping right now could have helped fund such a trip. Not to say that latte’s aren’t delicious or worthwhile. They just tend to taste better when you’re in a lovely old city with nothing to do but soak up your surroundings. Keep reading to learn how you can do just that without spending too much. Overlooking Brussels Languages Spoken: Dutch, French , German Brussels is a city of historic charm with a modern twist. When visiting, definitely don’t miss attractions like the awe-inspiring Grand Place, the cute and quirky Manneken Pis statue, and the Atomium monument. And of course, the city is well known for its chocolate and beer.

For chocolate lovers, check out the Museum of Chocolate and Cocoa; for beer lovers, head over to the Cantillon Brewery! Read more… Venice City Life Language Spoken: Italian Venice has a reputation for being pricey, but with a bit of planning and know-how you can have a great experience on a limited budget. For an affordable trip down the Canals (only 6.50 Euros), take the Venice Vaporetto Route No. 1 water bus. Visit the Museo San Marco in the Basilica di San Marco (only 4 Euros). Enjoy the ambiance of the Piazza San Marco, what Napoleon once called “the drawing room of Europe.” Read more… Sacré Coeur, Panoramas photo Language Spoken: French Paris is an elegant city with several must-see attractions. Don’t miss the Notre Dame Cathedral (free to enter), the Steps of Sacre Coeur (free to climb), and the Eiffel Tower (free to picnic beneath). Take a free tour with New Paris Tours or check out a free concert in one of Paris’s many cathedrals or parks.

Read more… The Reichstag building Language Spoken: German Berlin, a city rich in history and culture, has some amazing sites and activities to experience on a budget. For historical sites, swing by the Berlin Wall, the eerie Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, and the Reichstag building. For fun and culture, sit on one of the giant swings in Mauer Park, take in the art at the East Side Gallery, and head to Volkspark in Friedrichshain on Sundays for a dance rave. Read more… La Almudena Language Spoken: Spanish Madrid is a city with enough free culture, beautiful parks and 1-euro ham sandwiches to make a cheap weekend a breeze. Don’t miss the Museo del Prado and Museo Reina Sofia, both free for parts of the day. For inexpensive souvenirs, head over to El Rastro, a can’t-miss flea market in the neighborhood of La Latina. Read more… Leave a comment or find us on Facebook or Twitter and say hello. We love hearing from you!

Question: In which Europeancity would you find the giant monument called 'The Atomium'?
Answer: BRUSSELS