5 historical stops for EU history

Brussels, also known as the Capital of Europe, is home to some of the largest European Union institutions. In the European Quarter, you’ll find politicians, young and old, working toward the future of Europe. The area is also home to numerous historical sites, all within walking distance, for those fascinated by the founding, establishment, and daily workings of the EU. So come along as we explore five historical stops for EU history.

Walk Details
Distance: 1km
Walking time: 18min

1

Parlamentarium

Pl. du Luxembourg 100, 1050 Bruxelles

The Parlamentarium is the European Parliament’s visitor center. If you’re interested in taking the free tour, you’ll learn about the founding of the European Union, get a brief overview of all the European institutions, and discover how they operate. On average, it takes about 45 minutes to an hour to see and experience everything. While admission is free, you’re required to make a reservation to enter; however, it’s often possible to join a tour on the spot. It’s a great place to begin our walk, as it provides valuable context for everything else to come.

2

Hemicycle

Rue Wiertz 60, 1047 Bruxelles

The Paul-Henri Spaak Building is where you’ll find the Hemicycle. The building is named after Paul-Henri Spaak, a former Belgian Prime Minister and Secretary General of NATO, among other high-ranking positions. If you’re interested in visiting the Hemicycle—which I highly recommend—you’ll get to see where important decisions are made and explore the building with the help of an audio guide. You can be in and out in about 30 minutes if you listen to the entire audio guide.

3

Sections of the Berlin Wall

Rue Wiertz 60, 1047 Bruxelles

Immediately outside the entrance to the Paul-Henri Spaak Building, you’ll find a couple of pieces of the Berlin Wall. The first segment was originally erected at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin and donated to the city of Brussels in 2004. The second was acquired after an exhibition commemorating the 20th anniversary of the wall’s toppling. Their placement here at the Hemicycle is no surprise, as they serve as a powerful reminder of a time of division.

4

House of European History

Rue Belliard 135, 1040 Bruxelles

The museum, which is free to visit, houses several exhibitions on—yes, you guessed it—Europe. It takes a transnational approach, offering insights into the history of Europe as a continent, spanning from prehistoric times to contemporary events. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions on diverse topics, ranging from the Thirty Years’ War to the history of forgery and falsification. If you’re interested, be sure to check online for the latest exhibitions and head in for a look around.

5

Europa Building

Rue de la Loi 165, 1000 Bruxelles

The Europa Building is the seat of both the European Council and the Council of the European Union. Its architect, Philippe Samyn, was unimpressed with the other institutional buildings, finding them too uniform, so he took a different approach. He designed a multi-story, lantern-shaped structure encased in a glass cube, which serves as the building’s focal point. If you walk by at night, you’ll understand why it’s referred to as a lantern—it appears to glow from within. The wooden exterior features 3,750 window frames salvaged from buildings across Europe. With its symbolism, from the glowing beacon of the lantern to the recycling of the window frames, it’s no wonder the Europa Building is one of Brussels’ most fascinating institutions.