Belgium in Brief: Taking Brussels back in time

Belgium in Brief: Taking Brussels back in time
Credit: Belga/visit.brussels

In just under two weeks, Brussels will be transported back to the 16th century during the month of June as the Renaissance Festival will again take place in the Captial Region.

The annual festival allows people to look back in time through exhibitions, workshops, guided tours and conferences, as well as the iconic UNESCO-recognised Ommegang procession, to highlight the city's role during this period.

All across Brussels, a wide range of events will be organised to celebrate European and Brussels heritage and history during the Renaissance and the 16th century more generally.

On 2 June, the festival will begin with a Family Day at the Palace of Coudenberg, the royal residence located at the top of Mont des Arts in the Royal Quarter of Brussels. About a month later, it will end with the famous Ommegang procession.

This procession is recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, and will see some 1,400 people parading through the streets. Among them will be musicians, singers, dancers, horsemen, uniformed guards and flag-bearers – with Brussels residents and visitors lining the streets to watch them pass by.

Once the parade arrives at the Grand Place, spectators will be in for quite a show as the event takes people back to the arrival of Charles V in 1549. Read the full article if you want to know more.

Have you ever been? What did you think? Let @Maajtee know your thoughts.

Belgium in Brief is a free daily roundup of the top stories to get you through your coffee break conversations. To receive it straight to your inbox every day, sign up below:

1. Bridge over troubled traffic: How Brussels is falling out of love with viaducts

Brussels used to love massive the viaducts that channelled cars across the city and above the people at street level. In the glow of the post-war era, and ahead of Expo 58, these bridges seemed natural conduits for modern cities arranged around cars. Read more.

2. Energy poverty: Belgium's support protected most vulnerable during 2022 crisis

Energy poverty: Belgium's support protected most vulnerable during 2022 crisis

During the energy crisis, one in five Belgian households found it difficult to meet the basic energy needs of the home, such as warming it sufficiently. Read more.

3. Flooded areas in Belgium expecting more heavy rainfall

More heavy rainfall is expected in several places along the Dutch-Belgian border, where many local residents are already experiencing flooding. Code yellow has been issued, but this could be moved up to orange. Read more.

4. Make Flanders ours again? Vlaams Belang uses South African model for posters

For weeks, the Flemish far-right Vlaams Belang party has been using the image of a South African model on their 'Make Flanders ours again' election campaign posters. Read more.

5. EU is complicit in dumping migrants in North African desert, says investigative report

The EU supports, finances and is involved in clandestine operations in North African countries to dump tens of thousands of Black people in the desert or remote areas each year to prevent them from coming to Europe, according to an investigative report. Read more.

6. Brussels Renaissance Festival transports city back to 16th century

The Brussels Renaissance Festival will again transport the region back into time for three weeks. From tours, walks and treasure hunts to exhibitions and the iconic Ommegang parade, visitors can soak up the atmosphere of the 16th century. Read more.

7. Hidden Belgium: Eben-Emael Fort

An enormous Belgian military complex is hidden below the Sint-Pietersberg near the village of Eben-Emael. Built in 1935 close to the Dutch border, this massive concrete fortification was designed to protect a weak point on the Belgian frontier. Read more.


Copyright © 2026 The Brussels Times. All Rights Reserved.