Every year, on the first Thursday of July in Brussels, in one of the most beautiful squares in Western Europe - Grand-Place, the Ommegang Pageant holiday is held. This is a magnificent costume show, traditionally attended by the royal family.
The Ommegang Pageant holiday has been celebrated since 1549 and initially it had a religious background - it was a procession in a circle (as its name is translated), dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Already in those days, residents of the surrounding cities and peasants came to Brussels for this day to bow to the miraculous statue of the Virgin and admire the enchanting procession in which all the noble families of the country took part.
Today this holiday is held not only in Brussels, but also in other Belgian cities. True, only in the capital, tickets to the Grand-Place should be purchased in advance, in other places you can admire medieval costumes simply by visiting the central square.
In Brussels, the procession is opened by the royal family and high-ranking city officials, after which real knights on horseback, clad in armor, appear on the square. The knights are replaced by an armed medieval army - crossbowmen and archers, after which real fun begins with theatrical performances.
At the Ommegang Pageant holiday, in addition to the costumed procession, you can take part in folk festivities and mass entertainment, buy goods at the fair of national handicrafts and crafts. At the festival of national cuisine, participants of the holiday are offered seafood dishes, beer, pastries and chocolate.
The easiest way to get to Brussels for the medieval Ommegang Pageant holiday from Russia is by plane, many airlines make regular flights here from Moscow. Brussels Airlines fly direct from Domodedovo, and Aeroflot from Sheremetyevo. From Zaventem International Airport to Brussels can be reached by bus and train, which will take you to Central Station in just 20 minutes.
You can get to the capital of Belgium by train Moscow-Brussels or by bus. The Ecolines company carries out regular passenger bus transportation from the Riga station of the capital.
