Travel guide: Brussels  

It is difficult to overlook the larger-than-life model of an iron crystal molecule in the Parc des Expositions.... The 102-meter (335-ft), 2,400-ton Atomium towers over all the buildings in and around the trade fair complex, and can also be seen from other parts of the city. The steel and aluminium structure was built by André Waterkeyn for the third Universal Exhibition, held in Brussels in 1958, and soon came the trademark of the Belgian capital. Although it was originally designed to symbolise the prowess of the country's metalworking industry, it is now viewed more as the embodiment of science and the nuclear age. The individual spheres, which are connected by escalators, house exhibitions on solar energy and nuclear power, space travel and other technical subjects. The Atomium is definitely worth a visit, even for those not so fascinated by science. Once the fastest lift in Europe, it catapults visitors to the top 'iron atom' at a rate of 5 m/s (17 ft/sec), from where you get a wonderful view over Brussels below. On a clear day, you can even see as far as Mechelen and the battlefields of Waterloo. The Atomium is especially beautiful at night when hundreds of little lights circle their way around the spheres. more

This church is hard to miss: colossal, massive and almost monstrous, it is one of the landmarks in the... cityscape. It was finally completed in 1979, 74 years after the foundations were laid. At 89 m (291 ft) high, 167 m (548 ft) long and 108 m (354 ft) wide, it is actually the fifth largest church in the world. In the beginning nobody could decide on the style and it finally became a Neo-Romanesque building with Art-Déco elements, and if you take the trouble to look closer you will discover many charms. The interior is just as monumental as the exterior and has a grand emptiness. A statue of the Sacred Heart towers over 4 m (13 ft) high above the alter. However, it is definitely worth a visit to the "Koekelique de Basilberg", as it is also derisively referred to, as the view of the city from its dome is magnificent. A colourful flea market is held on the large square in front of the basilica on the second Saturday of each month. more

The edge of the upper town is dominated by the majestic St-Michel cathedral, whose splendid façade makes... any visitor feel small and insignificant. Rose windows and finials adorn the imposing twin towers of the white building, which was declared the national church in the 15th Century and has since hosted all the country's official celebrations. The interior is also impressive, not only for its size and spaciousness, but more importantly for its furnishings. The Gothic building is decorated with numerous works by famous sculptors, wrought iron trellises and more than 1,200 stained glass windows. The motif of what is known as the 'Sacrament Miracle' plays an important role, and one of the three large chapels is dedicated to it. Legend has it that in 1349 some of the city's Jews stole the hosts, took them back to their synagogue and punched them until the hosts actually began to bleed. Some of the remains of these hosts are still kept as relics in the cathedral's treasury, although in 1968 the diocese of Mechelen-Brussels officially apologised for helping incite the subsequent slaughter of the town's Jewish citizens. more

If you've never pitted your gun-toting skills against Lucky Luke's shadow or still don't know who or... what the Marsupilami is, you obviously haven't been to the world's largest comic museum yet. Asterix, the Smurfs, Tintin and Snowy can all be found at the Centre Belge de la Bande dessinée, where there are matchstick men and speech bubbles at every turn, all displayed like precious paintings, as you'd expect in the "land of comics". Aside from sketches, printing blocks and original drawings, there's also an audiovisual section where you can see how drawings are brought to life. The bookshop in the basement has all the latest comic books. The Art Nouveau building designed by Victor Horta - to whom a special exhibition is dedicated - also houses a library and restaurant. Indeed the exhibits aren't the only things to see. The building alone, a listed former textiles warehouse, is worth the visit itself. The only surviving Art Nouveau warehouse built to Horta's plans features decorative iron structures, glass roofs and an elegant staircase, making it almost as impressive as the museum itself. more

Maison du Roi, house of the kings, is the French name of the grand building at the north side of the... Grand-Palce, the Flemish call it Broodhuis ("bread house"). That says a lot about the history of the house: the guildhall of the bakers and the bread hall stood here until the 15th century, a courthouse stood here since the 16th century, administering justice in the name of the king. The building standing here today is from the end of the 19th century and hosts the city museum. It presents many interesting pieces of evidence of the history of Brussels as well as a richly adorned wardrobe of the most famous citizen of the city, Manneken Pis. more