The arch terrace
A free panorama over Brussels from beneath the bronze quadriga.
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Cinquantenaire Park (the "Fiftieth") was created in 1880 to celebrate fifty years of Belgian independence, and is Brussels' grandest formal park: broad lawns crowned by a huge architectural ensemble — a triple triumphal arch (completed 1905) topped by a bronze quadriga, with colonnades extending to two museum wings. The arch itself can be climbed: from inside the Royal Military Museum you ascend free to its upper terrace for a panorama over Brussels and the European quarter — among the city's best free views. And the complex holds three major museums: the Art & History Museum (world antiquities), Autoworld (classic cars) and the Military Museum (planes and tanks). On the edge of the European quarter (metro Mérode/Schuman) — a fine formal stroll, and a full half-day if you enter the museums. Near the Great Mosque of Brussels.
A free panorama over Brussels from beneath the bronze quadriga.
Triple arch and colonnades — imperial 1905 grandeur.
World antiquities, classic cars and aircraft in one place.
Parc du Cinquantenaire, 1000 Brussels
Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military HistoryA vast military museum inside the arcades of the Cinquantenaire park, covering t1 minute walk4.4
AutoworldAutoworld is among Europe's most beautiful car museums, in the huge south hall o2 minutes walk4.5
Art & History MuseumThe Art & History Museum is among Europe's largest and most varied museums, in t2 minutes walk4.3
Maison CauchieA house of 1905 built by the painter and architect Paul Cauchie to serve at once4 minutes walk4.6
House of European HistoryThe House of European History is a free museum opened by the European Parliament12 minutes walk4.4Enter the Royal Military Museum (free) and follow the signs to the panoramic terrace — stairs and a lift inside the museum emerge on top of the arch. Entirely free but on museum hours (closed Mondays). The view down the Rue de la Loi axis to the European quarter is among Brussels' finest.