Finally going to visit Brussels? Here are six things you might not realize about the capital of Belgium.

We decided to visit Brussels with one thing on our minds: Beer! If you’ve been following along, you may have noticed our aversion for the cold and bubbly beverage, and Brussels is famous for producing some of the best beers on the planet. But on arrival, we found that Brussels is not only the beer center of the universe but is famous for much, much more…

1. Capital City!

Of course, we knew that Brussels is the capital city of Belgium.. It’s also the capital of Flanders, the northern region of Belgium. But we were shocked to learn, and I sheepishly admit that we had no idea, that Brussels is the capital of Europe!

2. What did they just say?

England speaks English, France speaks French, and Germany speaks German, so do the residents of Belgium speak Belgian? Nope. Belgium has two national languages: Flemish Dutch, primarily spoken in the northern region of Flanders, and French, which is the primary language in Brussels and in southern Belgium.

3. French? Fries

Maybe not. Turns out Belgium claims the fame as fry AKA chip AKA frite originator. The story goes that American soldiers came back from WWI raving of the legendary golden-fried potatoes, but mistakenly dubbed them “French Fries,” since they were served in the French-speaking cafes of Brussels. In actuality, it is said that fishermen in the region as far back as the mid-1600’s, fried small cuts of potatoes in the winter months, when it was too dangerous to fish. Either way, fries in Brussels are a special treat. They’re fried twice in animal fat, making them extra tasty crispy with a fluffy center. Yum!

4. Mussels from Brussels..

..Or “moules” in French, are tremendously delicious and popular. They take top billing on most menus and are prepared just about any way imaginable, even served raw when they’re in season. As a matter of fact, “Moule Frites” is Belgium’s national dish, prepared in a wine or beer broth, and served with those tasty frites on the side. These weren’t our first mussels, but they were probably the best we’ve tasted, and now we can even eat them properly. Visit Brussels and look like a local: Use a spent shell like you would tweezers, pluck a tasty orange morsel from the next, enjoy. Grab a frite with the same shell, dip in dijon, enjoy and repeat!

5. Like, funny “Ha, Ha?”

Despite being the center of European political affairs, Brussels is a city with a sense of humor. Well, at least they seem to be into the “Funny Pages”.. Belgium actually has more comic strip artists per square mile than any other country, bringing such comic strips as “Tin Tin” and the “Smurfs” to the back page of a newspaper near you. Many local comics are even displayed on giant murals throughout Brussels.

6. Speaking of funny..

Four hundred years before America’s Funniest Home Videos, Brussel’s most famous fountain was “erected” near the famous Grand Place Square. Manneken Pis is just a small nude boy peeing into a pool, but countless visitors make the pilgrimage for a peek and a chuckle. They even occasionally dress him in costumes, you know, to keep things interesting.