Up on the roof: Head skywards for an alternative view of Belgium

KU Leuven library tower

The original Leuven university library was destroyed in 1914 during World War One, as German soldiers set fire to the city. Not only was the building itself destroyed, but 300,000 volumes burned along with it. The burning and destruction of the library symbolised a devastating end to history and culture as the Western world had known it. Universities, primary schools and various institutions from dozens of countries helped rebuild the present-day Leuven library. This library incorporates an overshadowing bell tower that’s open to students and visitors. From the top of the tower, enjoy the view of one of the oldest cities in Belgium, while remembering an empowering moment in Western history, as Allied forces came together to rebuild a symbol of the shared culture they fought to defend.

Triumphal Arch

In Brussels’ European quarter is the beautiful Cinquantenaire park, also known as Jubelpark, created in 1880 under the reign of Leopold II in honour of 50 years of Belgian independence. Within this national landmark stands a towering triple arch, known as the Triumphal Arch. The arch is attached to three museums: car museum Autoworld, an art museum and the army museum. Visitors can climb the arch via the latter. From the top, there’s a wonderful view of the park and the bustling streets of the European quarter. On a clear day, you might even see as far as the Atomium on the opposite side of the city.

The Atomium

The Atomium (pictured) is one of the most widely known landmarks in Belgium. At a height of approximately 102m, it can be seen looming over Brussels from a distance. It was built for the World Fair of 1958, otherwise known as Expo 58. The Atomium was the central feature of the fair, representing the modern age of scientific progress. It was the first World Fair since World War Two, and more than 40 countries participated, building their own pavilions which spread around the Atomium, promoting a renewed sense of world peace. Today, visitors move through a cultural museum from sphere to sphere, finally reaching the top sphere from which you get an incredible view of Brussels.

Parking 58

When it comes to finding a fantastic view of the city of Brussels, you can’t be picky. Minutes from Brussels Central station and the Grand Place, Parking 58 lies truly in the heart of Brussels. From the top floor of this unsuspecting multi-storey car park, there’s a panoramic view of the entire city: from the remarkable buildings of the Grand Place, all the way to the Atomium in the north of the city. Because of its beautiful view, free rooftop entry and unhindered access to sunlight in the summer, this parking garage has become quite the hangout for teenagers and young adults.

Ghent belfry

The historic belfry tower is in the centre of Ghent, symbolising the city’s independent status during the Middle Ages. In 1442 the tower was used by watchmen to guard the city because of its central location and its excellent view of the city from the top. The alarm bell was named after Chancellor Roeland, who saved the city and Charlemagne from danger with his warning blows. Roland’s Bell (Klokke Roeland) was used primarily as a warning, but it eventually became used to announce the time. To introduce the hourly bell toll, the carillon was created, sounding a melody from a series of smaller bells. The carillon has undergone several renovations over the years, its most recent being in 1982, after which it expanded to include 53 bells. Today, visitors can climb to the top of the belfry, where they can enjoy the beautiful medieval architecture of central Ghent from up high.

Museum aan de Stroom (MAS)

The MAS is the largest museum in Antwerp, consisting of 470,000 objects categorised into four major universal themes: display of power, metropolis, world port, and life and death. The building is itself an intricate work of modern architecture alongside the Scheldt river in the Eilandje district. As visitors climb from one floor to the next, each landing exposes a progressively more impressive view of the city through large glass walls. At the top of the 60m building, visitors are allowed rooftop access, from which there’s an amazing panoramic view of the river, the port and the city of Antwerp.

IJzertoren 

Belgium is well known as the central battleground during World War One, with people from around the world coming here to pay respects to those buried in Flanders Fields. The IJzertoren is a beautiful monument in West Flanders in the city of Diksmuide. At a height of 84m, it’s the tallest peace monument in Europe. Built along the Yser river, this monument was built to memorialise the Belgian soldiers who were killed on the Yser Front during the war. Within the tower, visitors are invited to explore a museum focused on stories about the war, European peace and national identity. Not just an important part of Belgian and Flemish history, the IJzertoren also offers visitors a breathtaking view of Diksmuide and the fields of Flanders.

Dinant citadel

To reach the 100m-high military garrison, visitors have the choice of climbing 408 steps, carved out of rock and dating from 1577, or taking a cable car. However you arrive, the outlook is glorious. A panoramic view of the Mosane valley and historic town includes the Collegiate Church of Our Lady with its bulbous black spire. Dating from the 11th century when Dinant was part of the principality of Liège, the citadel’s fortifications were modernised by almost every conquering power, from Louis XIV to the Dutch army in 1820. There’s a small museum of weaponry and an exhibition dedicated to the bloody events of 1914 when 674 townsfolk were massacred.

Bouillon fortress

One of the best examples of medieval castles in the country, the spectacular fortress sits atop a rocky precipice in a hairpin bend of the river Semois in Wallonia. The origins of the castle fortress date from the eighth century and it is famous since the 11th century when Godefroy de Bouillon joined the first crusade and became the first ruler of Jerusalem. Like Dinant, the castle is a fine example of military architecture, and it benefitted from improvements by the prolific 17th-century French military engineer Vauban. These include bridges, ditches, drawbridges, towers and gun turrets. Tours of the castle are recommended and include the dungeons and the grisly torture chamber. The Austrian tower (1551) provides the best vantage point. There are falconry displays and other medieval events all year round. The pretty town of Bouillon lies south of the region, near the French border.

Photo © www.atomium.be - SABAM 2011 - Alexandre LAURENT (AERIAL)

This article was first published in The Bulletin's Best of Belgium 2015