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Brussels is the Capital of Art Nouveau and is full of surprises : you will discover here fascinating houses, palaces, concert-halls, department stores and museums, that were designed and built by architects as Victor Horta, Paul Hankar, Henri van de Velde or Josef Hoffmann. In the same period, well known artists such as Klimt, Serrurier-Bovy, Rops, Khnopff and Wolfers created and designed objects, furniture, paintings, jewelry and interior decorations that matched the architecture.
Unfortunately many beautiful buildings did not survive modern city planning in Brussels, but you can still visit among others: Horta's own house (now Horta Museum) or his Waucquez Department store (now Belgian Comic Strip Museum) or the Brussels exhibition and concert-hall (le Palais des Beaux-Arts); you can see the facade of the privately owned Palais Stoclet, designed by Josef Hoffman and decorated inside by a large mosaic designed by Gustav Klimt.
Furthermore you can see the magnificent interior of the town hall of Saint-Gilles, visit the Solvay Library and the Old England Department Store (now Instrumental Music Museum). And why not dine in a world famous recreated Art Nouveau atmosphere, the 3 stars restaurant "Comme chez-soi". Or for a feeling of the Belle-Époque, the "Falstaff" or the "Ultieme Hallucinatie" bar and restaurants will welcome you as will the Métropole or Astoria Hotels.
Finally, do not forget to see the interesting facade of the house designed by Victor Horta in Rue Lebeau, at the Sablon or the group of Art Nouveau houses at the Ambiorix Square and around les Étangs d'Ixelles, as well as the fabulous art works presented the numerous Brussels' museums.
So take a map or a guided specialised tour and discover by yourself why Brussels is the capital, not only of Europe, but also of Art Nouveau.
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