Until the 60s of the 20th century, the Belgian Charleroi was like the Ruhr in Germany. Coal, steel and other heavy industries. It is clear that so much can be seen there that the Lonely planet guidebook calls this city as the Frankenstein industry! Now the industry is stagnant, from the prosperous days the city gets an international airport, because those people, including us, come here.
Of the two sights of the city - St. Basilica Christophe and Hotel de Ville (Hotel de Ville), we simply relaxed looking at the hotel. Just pass it by.
Year of construction - 1936, style - art deco, architect - Josef Andre, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Well, at least there's something to do! By the way, this is just a name - "hotel". If this word is associated with "de Ville", then this hotel has nothing to do with this agency, but it is the city government, that is, the town hall.
The building is magnificent, but located in a very uncomfortable place, in the sense that it is not visible. In addition, before opening a large building in the entire area. Because of him, we went to our junk house for centuries, involuntarily searching almost the entire city.
Anyone can go to Hotel de Ville and if you are lucky and you meet the friendly concierge, he can give you the keys to the tower over. Climb up the steep stairs, you will see the whole of Charleroi, as in the palm of your hand. Just need to be careful and do not go out on the entire corporate balcony, let someone hold the door. The entrance to the balcony slams and you yourself can not get out. This I learned from a person who was affected by an unpleasant incident of an acquaintance.
We were not satisfied with the concierge, we went to find our hotel. He's two steps from the same building.
I know that the hotel will be so the reviews about it are terrible. We chose it only because it was possible to pay for the rooms not with the money, but by the miles, which for our flight had already accumulated enough. Otherwise, God forbid, even approaching a hotel like that! So, do not recommend: Leonardo City Hotel!
The underground garage was present, but it was designed for a dozen cars the size of Mr. Mini Cooper Bean. We have long built our seven-seat mastodon between the columns and this car. And how did he get here? Instead, how does the driver get out of the car, and how will he ride into it? On the other hand, we stand, and also close. Yes, not our problem.
The rooms in the hotel - standard, walls - made of paper, sounded, like in a dormitory named Berthold Schwartz from "12 seats" Ilf and Petrov. And smoky, even though we booked a smoking room. Spit, just one night only!
The view from the window was heartbreaking. If the same thing is seen from the Hotel de Ville tower, then it is a pity if they do not go up.
I really want to! We go to Dinan today with lunch, you need to at least have a sincere dinner. Where to eat, we do not know, went instinctively looking for a decent restaurant.
On the way, they saw these vases, a piece of paper "taking them as gifts" taped to them. The vases are expensive, from opposite boutiques, but with defects - the top edges are slightly peeled off. However, when we returned after dinner, the vase was gone, someone picked it up, even though the glass was cracked.
On the way we met some drunken pubs and youths.
Even so, despite the brutal hunger, I do not want to go anywhere. I remember well what the Belgians are familiar with told me: "Visit everything you want to visit, but go home to eat, the food is disgusting." Therefore, the institution with local cuisine, we arrogantly miss and look for something international. Found. The Vietnamese restaurant "Saveurs d'asie", full of people, is not cheap, so it should be nice.
It's not just great, it's amazing! So if you ask me what I love about Charleroi, I honestly answer that I just love this restaurant.
The hotel was back - as Golgotha. In the sense that I bear the burden in me, it's hard to bear. And when do we finally know what is the sense of proportion?