Right at the center sits an homage to the railway workers who were victims of the two World Wars, and then above the entrance, a fresco that depicts some Belgian cities. If that doesn't attract your attention, then these runaway balloons will—just kidding, although it's good to know Spiderman is always looking after you.
If you look up at the ceiling and become engulfed by a giant painting of the Smurfs, you know you are at Brussels Central Station. Despite its vast open design to welcome enormous crowds, you are easily drawn towards artworks like the relief of the old Putterie district at the entrance, or the vast artificial lighting that welcomes you in.
The station is bathed in a calm white light and sandstone from local quarries, which Belgium has many of. If you've read Asterix and Obelix, that part of course wouldn't be news to you.
There are boulangeries, kiosks, and train schedule information boards all over the premises, which is basically built underground. And that is what makes this skylight appear even more outstanding. One of the two brains behind this architecture is Brunfaut, who emphasized a seamless lighting scheme all over the station. The other architect, called Victor Horta, even has a gallery to his name right here in the station.
And these travertine floors are open to all, including the pigeons who make their way in and out of the hallways and platforms. Down below, where the main event takes place, I find it rather amazing that the station houses only six platforms, which makes me wonder how the train traffic sits between Brussels Nord, South, and Central stations—but I guess that's for another discussion...
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