Discover Brussels' unique Art Nouveau and Art Deco Architecture
Did you know Brussels boasts some of Europe's finest Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings? The capital of Belgium has more than 500 Art Nouveau buildings and important constructions in the Art Deco style. It's the ideal city to admire Art Nouveau with its elegant curves and long lines, and the contrasting sharp angles and geometrical shapes of Art Deco.
© Gilles van den Abeele - www.gnab.be
Art Nouveau in Brussels: What to See
The three districts that present the greatest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in the capital are the Avenue Louise, the Bailli district and the ponds of Ixelles with Place Flagey. Art Nouveau, initiated by Victor Horta, placed Brussels at the heart of the European artistic avant-garde at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, and the Art Deco, which advocated a return to a certain sobriety after the First World War. Victor Horta is known as Brussels' father of Art Nouveau and was one of the Art Nouveau movement's leading architects. A visit to his former home is, therefore, the ideal starting point for an Art Nouveau tour Brussels. The Palace of Fine Arts in Brussels was built between 1922 and 1928 in the Art Deco style by Victor Horta, who, on returning from the United States, developed his Art Nouveau and industrial style, abandoning the curved line for a more Art Deco monumental and geometric where reinforced concrete reigns.
Maison Saint-Cyr is another must-see for fans of Art Nouveau. Designed by Gustave Strauven, Maison Saint-Cyr is a charming narrow building on Ambiorix Square. It offers an intriguing contrast to the square's larger houses. It has been described as a "hummingbird among the pigeons".
Brussels Art Deco architecture
Brussels' many Art Nouveau marvels should not overshadow equally impressive Art Deco jewels, such as the Van Buuren museum and gardens (Avenue Léo Errera). Completed in 1928 by the architects Léon Emmanuel Govaerts and Alexis van Vaerenbergh, the Van Buuren's house features Amsterdam School architecture on the outside and a set of furniture, carpets, stained glass and Art Deco sculptures, full of paintings by masters from James Ensor to Kees van Dongen.
Where to stay in Brussels
A tour with a knowledgeable local guide is a great way to discover the glories of Brussels' Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture. And if you are wondering where to stay, the 4* The Hotel Brussels is an ideal starting point for the tour as it is very close to the trams and metro. The location is excellent and very well-connected to public transport, near Avenue Louise and the metro (the historic centre is about 1km away). The following bus lines stop near The Hotel Brussels: 12, 170, 33, 64, and 71 and the nearest train lines are IC, P, S1, S6, and S9. The spacious boutique rooms offer spectacular city views and are very clean. The Hotel Brussels has fantastic dining and restaurant facilities, and the Urban Spa & Fitness has spectacular views.
The Hotel Brussels has over 6,000 positive reviews on TripAdvisor, with many guest rating the panoramic views, cleanliness and ambience.
© visit.brussels - Jean-Paul Remy
© visit.brussels - Jean-Paul Remy
