The Archway
As the gateway to the town, the archway is the urban symbol par excellence. On the one hand, it represents the passage from the countryside to the town. On the other hand, it is a hymn to the historical and legendary aspect of the town. Under the influence of King Leopold II, Bordiau imagined in 1880 that a unique archway could symbolise the principles of uniqueness, simplicity and grandeur at the same time.
In 1900, Charles Girault, Bordiau's successor obtained the permission to review the design of the monument. He suggested a structure with three arches of the same width and height. It is in 1905, after eight months of dedicated work, that the construction of the archway was completed. It is adorned by an imposing bronze sculpture, put up to glorify Belgian independence. The sculpture represents Le Brabant waving the national flag while on his chariot drawn by four horses which seem to have frozen while in movement.
 

 
 The "Halles"
For the 1880 exhibition, the idea was to put up a series of metal cabins and halls behind the buildings.
 
1905 : The Hall is divided into two symetric parts so as to form a large courtyard. It is these two halls that we know today.
The northern hall : The Aviation Museum.
The southern hall called the Palais Mondial, which presently houses
the Automobile Museum.
In 1920 : These halls were transformed into a special sort of international museum, dedicated to unity and fraternity in the world. Thus the name "Palais Mondial".
1986 : Setting up of the "Autoworld".
 

 
 The Colonnades: a prestigious walk
This semi-circular colonnade dominated by a monumental arch in the centre corresponded to a precise meaning and use. The main purpose was to connect the two buildings. The second purpose was to set up a place where it would be possible to put up stands for public events such as the 1880 festivals.
The construction of the semicircle was completed by 1888. And in 1932, the colonnades received their final decoration comprising a 300 m² mosaic. The theme developped by the artists was "Hymn to the peace-loving and heroic nation".
 

 
 The Bordiau Halls
The architect Bordiau's palace are considered as being part of the iron and glass creations of the end of the 19th century. To these modern materials, Bordiau associated a more traditional ingredient, viz., stone. The Halls are not just an exhibition space. They are the symbol of the hold that industry had had in the past.
 
Northern wing : The Royal Museum of the Army and Military History since 1911
Southern wing : Royal Museums of Art and History
 
Devastated by fire in 1946, it was only two years later when Brussels was getting a face-lift for the Universal Exhibition that the building was rebuilt on the lines defined by the old architecture.
 
 Renaissance and Merovingian sections
Bordiau translated his intention of making arts and technologie accessible to as large a public as possible in terms of construction: he suggested that new extensions be built.
 

 
 The park
The success of the 1880 exhibition was an incentive for the town of Brussels to extend this park. Its area increased from 12 hectares to 30 hectares. It was full of picturesque gardens, ponds and waterfalls.
At the beginning of the century, the Parc du Cinquantenaire housed trade fairs, lighter-than-air craft exhibition, cyclist meets and other popular festivals. As the surroundings of the park were highly urbanised, the park could not be extended any further. It could then have served as a venue for international events. Ever since then, it was decided that this park would become a leisure park. This decision was confirmed in 1930.

 
 Pavilion of human passions
Although this first monument by Victor Horta was not yet considered the treaty on the radical changes brought about by the New Art, it however marked the transition from a classic model towards a more purified and powerful expression.
 
The Tower
It was erected with the aim of exhibiting and highlighting the possibilities the stone from Tournai could offer in terms of construction. Inside the tower, the architect designed a very beautiful vault.
 

 The mosque, a panoramic view of Cairo in the past
The panoramic view of Cairo is the star attraction of the Universal Exhibition of 1897. But the structure deteriorated progressively and the costs of restoring it were considered to be too high, which justified the title of "sordid blot" given to it in 1906.
1978 : The edifice was restored. It now houses the Great Mosque of Brussels.

The Quenast Columns
In 1880, the biggest porphyry mining company left its mark on this monument by building two porphyry columns. They were topped by two bronze statues which stood for trade and industry. It is one of the rare monuments dedicated to the quality domestic production.