Anderlecht is a city and municipality in Belgium, one of 19 in the bilingual Brussels-Capital Region, in the Brussels-Capital District, connected to the rest of Brussels by metro line 5. There are several historically and architecturally distinct districts in the town, one of the most interesting is the district called La Roue (Het Rad). Other districts in the city: Veeweyde (Veeweyde), Cureghem (Kuregem), Scheut, Neerpede. The village of Moortebeek also belongs to the city.
- Erasmus House Museum. Erasmus House and the Beguinage are the two oldest municipal museums in Belgium. Together with the Collegiate Church of St. Peter and St. Guidon, they form a unique historical complex. This ensemble reflects the long history of the municipality of Anderlecht, which has experienced considerable development since the Middle Ages, partly thanks to the cult of St. Guidon, patron saint of pilgrims, the sick and domestic animals. Erasmus House is a place in Anderlecht that you should not miss. The Dutch Renaissance humanist and writer Erasmus of Rotterdam stayed in this house in 1521. In 1932, the house was converted into a museum. Today, the building houses both a museum and a science centre. In the museum, visitors can see a collection of valuable paintings, Gothic sculptures and furniture. The research centre houses one of the largest collections of 16th-century volumes, as well as thousands of books. It is worth taking a tour of Erasmus House to discover the private and intellectual life of this great humanist and scholar.
- Beguinage. Anderlecht is also home to the former house of beguines, mainly widows of the Crusaders. Interestingly, this particular beguinage is one of the smallest in Belgium. It consists of two buildings, one from the 16th century and the other from the 18th century, which are grouped around a garden overlooking the Collegiate Church of Saints Peter and Guy. The museum was founded in 1930 and houses a collection of objects of archaeological interest, religious art and a collection documenting the thousand-year history of Anderlecht.
- Collegiate Church of Saints Peter and Guido. This is one of the most extraordinary Gothic churches in the Brussels area. It was built between the 14th and 16th centuries and is dedicated to Saint Peter and Guido van Anderlecht (Guido of Anderlecht) – the son of a local farmer who went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Rome. The Romanesque crypt is one of the oldest and most interesting in the country, as it contains a monument made from an ancient tombstone, which dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries. The church also houses a rich collection of other tombstones and numerous works of art.
- Maurice Câreme Museum. This museum presents the work of the Belgian poet Maurice Câreme. The museum has preserved intact the living quarters of the poet Maurice Carême. Here you can see furniture, vessels and Belgian paintings from the 20th century, such as Delvaux, Somville, Lismonde, Haine, Wolvens, etc. In addition, there are also manuscripts, letters from writers, musicians and artists. The museum also allows you to discover archives and manuscripts. Here you can admire several works of art, ancient ornaments, furniture from the author’s era.
- Cantillon Brewery. The Cantillon Brewery was founded in 1900 and is one of the few active breweries in Brussels. In 1978, the owners decided to open their premises to the public, thus becoming the Brussels Gueuze Museum. They have been cultivating a family tradition for over 100 years and can boast a star in the Michelin Guide. A visit to this museum offers the opportunity to taste some of the world’s unique beers. The guides will take you on an extraordinary journey related to the production of Gueuze-Lambic – a mysterious local beer and the fruit of spontaneous fermentation.
- Restaurant. Friture René. Friture René is not exactly a friterie – a French fries place. It is a place where, in addition to Belgian fries, you can eat other tasty Belgian dishes.
- Hotel, accommodation. Cozy Apartment in Brussels is located 1.7 km from Gare du Midi Train Station and 2.5 km from Porte de Hal in Brussels. The apartment features a terrace with garden views, a bedroom, a living room with a TV, a kitchen and a bathroom with a shower cabin.
