WHY BRUSSELS?

Brussels, the heart of Europe

Legend has it that Brussels grew from a small island settlement on the Senne River, a place the early inhabitants called Bruocsella—“the dwelling in the marsh.” Over centuries, this modest riverside village transformed into the heart of Europe, shaped by dukes, merchants, and later by diplomats who made it the political capital of the continent. Yet it wasn’t until much later, through the writings of local historians in the 19th century, that Brussels began to be affectionately described as a city defined by its hidden viewpoints, its gentle slopes and elevated quarters that quietly overlook the old town below. You can still trace the soul of ancient Brussels today. Beyond the grand government buildings and sleek European offices, past the bustling shopping galleries and artisanal chocolate shops, lie narrow cobbled streets where cafés serve crisp frites and warm waffles dusted with sugar.