We have visited many additional attractions and off beat sites which have not yet been posted to the blog. So let's catch up.
The Colonne du Congres. This 47 meter high column, constructed in 1850, commemorates Belgium's first national parliament. On top of the column is a statue of Belgium's first king, Leopold I. Below that are four allegorical female figures representing the freedoms of the constitution - worship, association, education, and the press. At the base of the column, guarded by two massive bronze lions, is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers of World Wars I and II.
The Botanical Gardens. A short distance past the Colonne du Congres are the Botanical Gardens. In 1797, the original gardens were constructed on the grounds of the Palais de Lorraine. Today's gardens contain over 18,000 varieties of plants, including medicinal plants, perennials, and shrubs. The Iris garden section, dedicated to the emblem of Brussels (because it grew along the marshy banks of the Senne), contains a small pond with a statue of a young girl saved from drowning in the waters.
Skate board parks. Skateboarding has become a popular sport here. The city has adjusted to the existence of skateboarding by constructing several parks dedicated to this sport.