Maison d'Érasme Brussels
A humanist's home in Brussels
It seems that almost every important thinker, philosopher and writer has passed through Brussels at some point: Victor Hugo, Baudelaire, Rimbaud, Verlaine, Karl Marx... to name a few. Erasmus, the Dutch Renaissance thinker and humanist, who went on to found a highly popular student exchange programme, lived in Anderlecht for a few months on his way to France.
At the time, Anderlecht was a thriving cultural hotspot and an important seat of learning. These days, it is a quiet neighborhood in the West of Brussels, often overlooked by tourists and locals alike. That's a shame, though. The house where Erasmus stayed is now a fascinating museum, full of old manuscripts and artifacts that document his work, humanist learning and the general atmosphere of the period.
When I went, I was almost alone in the museum and had the elusive Brussels sun shone, I would have lingered to enjoy the medieval herb garden in the courtyard. Even with the rain, it was a great experience.
The entrance ticket also grants you entry to the nearby Béguinage, which is definitely worth a visit. I took advantage of being in Anderlecht to have a look around the area and there are some interesting old streets and traditional brown bars.
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Crèmerie Saint-Guidon
Buy back in time
At Crèmerie Saint-Guidon all the delicacies are personally selected: Brussels salted cheese and the famous ‘pottekees’; large eggs and delicious bread...
by
Davy
Verbeke
The Wild Lab
Healthy vegetarian breakfast
“The Wild Lab” in Brussels makes perfect vegetarian breakfasts for those lazy mornings…
by
William
Mertens
Chicago Café
My go-to brunch spot
"Chicago Café" is my favorite brunch spot in Brussels! They offer all-day breakfast & brunch and I recommend coming with friends - the portions are huge!
by
Charlotte
Mewis
Le Conteur
Middle-Eastern Flavors
Dishes come with bold and rich flavors, which blend different cultures and cuisines. Our choices fell on some mezze, including a tasty paprika hummus...
by
Emilia
D'Ettorres
Nightshop
Natural Wines in Sainte-Catherine
Standing in front of what looked like an open garage, a busy wine bar like no other was waiting for me. Looking at it, I was mesmerized...
by
Emilia
D'Ettorres
Jardin des Sculptures
My zen place in Brussels
"Jardin des Sculptures" in Brussels is a little green oasis that forms a perfect combination of nature and arts. A true hidden gem...
by
Charlotte
Mewis
Cement Truck
Not your average piece of art
"Cement Truck" by Wim Delvoye is a unique piece that's a scaled-down model of a cement truck constructed in the Flemish Baroque style. An ode to opposites!
by
Charlotte
Mewis
Place Sainte-Catherine
Vibrant square in Brussels
"Place Sainte-Catherine" is one of Brussels' most characteristic zones, and although tourists love it, locals love it even more for its versatility!
by
Charlotte
Mewis
Monk Bar
Bar with a surprise in the back
"Monk Bar" Brussels has it all: a very wide selection of beers, cocktails, a nice terrace, live music on Saturdays AND a spaghetti restaurant out back!
by
Charlotte
Mewis
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