Europe’s Central City Leveraging Geographical Advantages
Brussels is an international city with a population of 1.16 million, located in the heart of Europe. Situated at a latitude of 50.5°N, it lies even further north than Wakkanai, Japan (45.1°N). Its central location, close to major European powers, makes it a crucial hub for transportation, and it hosts the headquarters of many international organizations spanning across Europe. These include the headquarters of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) as well as key institutions of the EU (European Union), such as the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European Parliament. Many EU officials work in Brussels, making it a political and diplomatic center of Europe.
The history of Brussels dates back to the 12th century, when it began to prosper as a commercial and industrial hub, leveraging its strategic geographical location for trade and transport. Skilled craftsmen and merchants established their businesses here, and over time, the city saw shifts in power, coming under the rule of Spain, France, and the Netherlands. Following Belgium’s independence in 1830, Brussels became the capital of the new nation, a position it still holds today. The official languages of Brussels are Dutch and French.
The city center, often referred to as the “Little Paris” due to its beauty, is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Additionally, Brussels is renowned as a gastronomic capital, particularly for its chocolate. Famous chocolate shops such as Wittamer, Godiva, and Pierre Marcolini have their flagship stores in Brussels, cementing the city’s reputation as a hub for exquisite chocolates.
Illuminated Majestic and Beautiful World Heritage Site
When strolling through the streets of Brussels at night, the first sight that catches the eye is the grand and beautiful Grand-Place (La Grand-Place). Known as one of the most beautiful squares in the world, the Grand-Place was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998.
The Grand-Place is surrounded by the majestic Town Hall with its towering spire, the King’s House, and various stone guild houses, which were constructed around the 15th century. A “guild” refers to a medieval European association of merchants and craftsmen formed for mutual support, and these buildings are commonly known as guild houses. While the guilds themselves are no longer active, their emblems can still be seen on the roofs and walls of the buildings. Today, many of the guild houses have been repurposed into cafes and restaurants.
Although most travel guides feature photos of the Grand-Place with a warm orange hue from the lighting, my personal experience when visiting was that the light had a cooler, cream-colored tone, around 3000K, with a slight yellowish tint. (I tried to capture the color as closely as possible in my photos.) This could be the intended effect or perhaps a result of the light source used, but my initial impression was that it looked somewhat artificial, possibly even suggesting the use of older LEDs.
However, I vividly remember the contrast when I saw the warm, deep orange glow of lights (around 2700K) seeping out from the windows of the guild houses. This created a beautiful contrast with the exterior lighting, making the interior lights, like incandescent bulbs and candles, stand out more vividly. Had the exterior lighting been the same warm orange tone, around 2700K, the lights might have appeared as just a uniform wall of light.
The lighting fixtures were strategically positioned to minimize their visibility from the square. Upon closer inspection, I noticed spotlights and line-type fixtures, all designed as uplights, subtly illuminating the structures from below. The lighting effectively emphasized the beautiful horizontal unity of the buildings’ facades, highlighting their uniformity and grandeur. I visited during the Christmas season in December, but by February, the Grand-Place hosts the “Bright Brussels” festival, a celebration of light and sound, where even more vibrant light displays are added.
[Festival of Light – Bright Brussels]
https://bright.brussels/en
As I wandered around the area, I also came across several Christmas market stalls and festive light decorations. Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, completed in 1847, is one of the oldest shopping arcades in Europe. The long, linear corridor features iron bracket lights arranged at uniform heights, creating a cohesive lighting scheme. The windows of the world-renowned chocolate shops glow with soft light, casting a warm ambiance on the opposite walls. The glass arches in the ceiling also add to the festive atmosphere, with delicate light decorations that seem to fall like tiny glowing particles, delighting the many visitors strolling through.
The beautiful bell chimes of St. Michael’s Cathedral
Next, heading north from Brussels Central Station, you’ll come across the magnificent St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral. This grand Gothic structure, measuring 57 meters in width, 114 meters in depth, and standing 54 meters tall, began construction in the 13th century and took over 300 years to complete by the 15th century. Beneath the church, remnants of an 11th-century Romanesque church have been uncovered, making it a building with a long and rich history in the heart of Brussels.
In the southern tower of the cathedral, a carillon of 49 bells is installed, seven of which still play their beautiful melodies to this day. Luckily, my accommodation was close to the cathedral, and I had the privilege of hearing the bells’ chimes. The sound of these bells, ringing to mark the passage of time, was the most beautiful and memorable bell tone I experienced among all the European countries I visited.
When visiting the cathedral at night, the illuminated structure silently rose above the city of Brussels. As you approach, the cathedral is so massive that it’s impossible to capture it fully in a single photograph, but there is a small park in front where you can step back and appreciate the full grandeur. The lighting technique used is quite common in Europe: spotlights from the base, casting a powerful upward glow with discharge lamps. Despite its simplicity, the sheer scale and beauty of the architecture make it strikingly impressive.
Entering through the heavy doors, the interior of the cathedral overwhelms with its sheer beauty and grandeur. From the moment you step inside, you are captivated. When I visited again the following morning, natural light streamed through the windows in the ceiling, bouncing off the vaulted ceilings and walls, filling the entire cathedral with a soft, diffused glow. The overcast weather outside only added to the atmosphere, wrapping the space in gentle light. Combined with the sound of the beautiful pipe organ during the Christmas Mass, it created a deeply sacred and divine atmosphere that I still vividly remember.
The lighting inside the cathedral, where natural light filters in, was uniformly warm in color. The contrast between the cool white light of the arcade illuminated by the sun and the warm, golden light of the altar created a striking and beautiful effect. The light seemed to evoke a sense of gold and silver, a harmonious interplay that added to the spiritual ambiance of the space.
As I walked around, I realized that Brussels is a city where many historic buildings have been preserved and continue to be passed down through the centuries, even as they evolve in the 21st century. Lighting, though still a relatively new tool in the context of such long histories, plays a significant role in enhancing the charm of these structures and showcasing their beauty. It’s not about just flashy or extravagant designs; it’s about capturing the essence of the people’s emotions throughout history and the unique characteristics of the architecture itself. This reflection made me ponder what lighting design truly means. I’m excited to see how this historic, international city will continue to evolve in the future.