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The Black Tower was built in the early 13th century as part of the first fortifications of Brussels. The city quickly outgrew them and when the second fortifications were built in the late 14th century the tower became obsolete, probably being sold to a private owner. In the 16th century, the tower survived the creation of a new dock at the site where the church of Saint Catherine now stands. It became a tavern called "In de Toren". In 1888, when the street was sanitised the tower was once again almost demolished, but instead was saved and restored. It's currently surrounded by a hotel. How to go: Sainte-Catherine metro station.

The park, also known as Royal Park, is the largest urban park in the center of Brussels. During the Middle Ages, the Dukes of Brabant used the land as hunting grounds and it was only in the 1770s that the area was renovated and transformed into a park full of sculptures and footpaths. It was designed in a neoclassicist, geometric style by Guilles-Barnabé Guimard and Joachim Zinner. The park was last renovated between 2000 and 2002. How to go: Park metro station; in a walking distance from Grand Place and Central Station.

The palace started being built in the 14th century after some tensions between the crown and the archbishops led the later out of the castle and municipal hall. Throughout the centuries the palace was rebuilt and expanded, but a fire destroyed part of the building in 1866. Following the upheaval of the Republican revolution and the schism with the church, in 1911 the archbishops were expelled from the palace and many possessions of the church were confiscated and sold, including five fountains in the interior gardens. During this period the palace was occupied by the military and civil services. In 1918 part of the building became the first D. Diogo de Sousa archaeological museum . In the 1930s, after another fire destroyed part of the building, it underwent profound transformation and renovation to be used as a Public Library. In the 1970s the central and eastern wings were adapted to be used by the University of Minho and the D.Diogo the Sousa Museum moved to other premises. ...

The convent has its origins in 1684 and its purpose was to shelter unprotected women. In 1698 the religious community moved to the walled perimeter, close to the church of Espirito Santo. Gradually, the nuns acquired more houses, increasing the property. However, it was only in 1711 that the convent was recognised by the Pope. The earthquake of 1755 badly damaged the convent, which was later reconstructed in the neoclassical and plain architecture styles. It closed in 1836 with the extinction of religious orders in Portugal. The convent currently houses the Municipal Art Gallery and the Afonso III Institute.

The Queen's Hamlet is a rustic retreat built for Queen Marie Antoinette. The construction of the Hamlet can be divided into two phases: in 1777 the creation of the English Gardens and from 1783 to 1786 the extending of the gardens and the building of a whole rural village around an artificial lake. The Queen would often come here to escape the pageantry of Versailles and enjoy the pleasures of a simpler life. Twelve thatched-roof houses were built on the site, of which ten can still be seen, including the billiard room, the boudoir, the mill and the diary. Built without much thought, the cottages aged badly. Between 1810 and 1812 Napoleon ordered a full restoration; a second campaign of restoration saved the Hamlet from certain ruin in the 1930s. It was restored for the 3rd time in the late 20th century, with some buildings returning to their original configuration. Opening hours: the estate of Trianon opens from 12 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., except on Mondays. Entrance fee:  €2...

The Pio XII Museum was founded in 1957 in the Seminar of Santiago. It started out as an archaeology museum but, eventually, other collections were added. In 1984 painter Henrique Medina donated a substantial part of his works to the museum. With all the new exhibitions the seminar was becoming inadequate to properly house them, so by the end of the 20th century, the building was completely remodelled. The medieval tower was also recovered, allowing for it to be visited. From the top of the tower, there is a magnificent panoramic view of Braga and the Bom Jesus sanctuary . In the museum building, you can also see the remnants of a Roman Domus of which only the peristyle is visible. The museum is thus divided into three parts: - the permanent exhibition of religious art and painting, and archaeology; - the Henrique Medina art gallery; - the medieval tower, with a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Tower. The chapel was built in 1756, thanking the Virgin for saving...

The Sainte Chapelle dates from 1238 and was built in the gothic style in an impressive record time of seven years. It was intended to house precious relics, including Christ's crown of thorns, acquired by King Louis IX of France, Saint Louis, making him one of the most powerful monarchs of Christendom. The main feature of the chapel are the stained glass panes, arranged across 15 windows, each 15 metres high. They depict 1113 scenes from the old and New testaments, recounting the story of the world until the arrival of the relics in Paris. It has one of the most extensive 13th century stained glass collections anywhere in the world. Along with the Concergiere, the Sainte-Chapelle is one of the earliest surviving buildings of the Capetian royal palace in the Ile de la Cité. As queues can be quite long it's advisable to buy tickets online  here . Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (5 p.m. Oct. to Mar.) Entrance fee: €10 How to go: Cité, Chatelet and...