Tuesday, May 1, 2007, 11:29 AM - Belgium
True to its cosmopolitan nature, Brussels is proving to be a treasure house of monuments linked to various cultures. Most of these structures are associated to the Belgian royalty to an extent. During one of our weekend strolls, we chanced upon an oriental connection in this city.We set out on a bright sunday afternoon to visit the royal greenhouses in Brussels. We made our way to the nearest tram stop in search of the vast expanse of greenery in Laeken also know as the 'domaine royal'. Soon, we realized that there were many sites related to the royalty in this particular section of the city.
We first came in the vicinity of the Notre Dame Church, a structure built in grand, gothic style. This church was built in 1854 by King Leopold I in memory of Louise-Marie, the first queen of Belgium. The front portion of the church, unlike the other sections, looked bright due to the restoration work.
The many nameboards in the area pointing in differet directions confused us. We came to the royal parc situated a little away from the church next. We kept walking since our final destination was the royal gardens.
After covering a considerable distance under the blazing sun, we saw the gates of the Laeken palace where the royal family currently resides. There were scores of people lined up in front of the gate. Many of these people merely walked upto the palace and returned. This convinced us that this was not the entry to the gardens.
We moved further ahead in an attempt to locate the entrance to the greenhouses. The gardens were located behind the high, metal walls bordering the side-walk. However, we could not find a viable entry point.
Just as this endless walk tired our minds, we came to an area that resembled the images of the Orient we have often seen in magazines. We had stumbled upon the 'Museums of the Far East' consisting of the Japanese and Chinese pavilions commissioned by King Leopold II in the early 1900s.
These exotic towers were designed by the French architect Alexander Marcel to commemorate the exchange of economic and cultural links between Europe and the Far East. Though built according to European principles, much of the opulent facades and decorations were brought from China and Japan.
Inside the pavilion, there are paintings, pottery, porcelein and delicate china on display. There was an atmosphere of elegance inside the buildings. Light filtered in through the coloured, glass windows. Warriors, kings, dragons and mythical characters sprang to life from the paintings and artifacts hung on the walls. The dark and solemn appearance of the Japanese towers present an aura of mystery as though origniating from the ancient culture of the Orient.
Although highly ornate, the Chinese pavilion offers a brighter view. The marble stones and golden metallic carvings add lustre to the the finely furnished interiors. Many items pertaining to the Far East are on display here including metalwork, engravings, paintings, ceramics and sculpture.
This exhibition is an absolute treat to see. It is an indepth look at the culture and traditions of a culture rooted in folklore. These towers are an amazing contrast to the glass buildings so typical of present-day architecture.
Although we missed the royal gardens, our original destination, we were not very disappointed. Instead, we were delighted to discover this path to the Orient in Brussels. I am sure that there are so many more such intriguing sights in this city. I hope that we will keep unravelling the many attractions of Belgium.
By: Jasmine Mathews
Jasmine Mathews is an Indian living in Belgium. She is fascinated by cultures, festivals and celebrations around the world. She is an avid reader with varied interests including visiting monuments, heritage sites and nature reserves. You can visit her at http://worldwatchlive.blogspot.com.
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Belgium chocolates and Belgium waffles have made this small European country famous around the world. But Belgium offers more than just sweets and breakfast items. In fact, Belgium is known for hosting more street and music festivals than any other country in Europe. After all, this is where the Saxophone was invented, by Adolph Sax, in 1846. Belgium's historical sites, small towns, and peaceful countryside make it an excellent destination for inquisitive travelers. 
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