Cinquantenaire District

The Cinquantenaire District in Brussels is the area of the city surrounding the Cinquantenaire Park. The park itself was built to commemorate 50 years of Belgium's independence. Dominating the park is the Triumphal Arch and three museums. The museums located here are Autoworld, which showcases the evolution of the automobile throughout history; the Royal Museum of Art and History, which contains a wide range of art and artifacts from pre-history forward; and the Belgian Army Museum and Museum of Military History, which examines the development of military technology throughout history along with the major campaigns fought on Belgian soil. In the summer, the park hosts concerts, festivals, drive-in movies, and it is the starting point of the Brussels marathon.
This district, also known as the European District, is the heart of the European Union. The buildings that house the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of Ministers can be found in this area. This section of Brussels is also known for its many Art Nouveau buildings, trendy restaurants, and boutique shops. The entire area is populated with international people who work at the European institutions or at large corporations that have offices in Brussels.

Practical Info

The Cinquantenaire District is located near the Parc du Cinquantenaire. Take metro line 1 or 5 to either the Schuman or Merode metro station.