EN: If you prefer traveling and visiting charming small towns over large metropolises, Mons, Belgium should definitely be on your list.

RO: Daca preferi sa calatoresti si sa vizitezi orase mici pline de farmec in locul marilor metropole, Mons, Belgia, trebuie sa fie pe lista ta.

EN: Discover this lively city where time seems to move differently, offering desirable tranquility. With its title as the European City of Culture in 2015, Mons has firmly established itself on the tourism map.

RO: Un oras plin de viata, unde timpul pare sa curga in alt ritm, oferind o liniste aparte. Cu titlul de Capitala Europeana a Culturii in 2015, Mons s-a impus in mod definitiv pe harta turistica.

EN: What to visit in Mons, Belgium? Only by strolling through the streets, you’ll come across numerous significant landmarks. One of the most striking is the Gothic church of Sainte-Waudru, dating back to the 5th Century, often compared to Notre Dame in Paris.

RO: Ce poti vizita in Mons, Belgia? Doar plimbandu-te pe strazi, vei descoperi numeroase obiective interesante. Un exemplu impresionant este Biserica Gotica Sainte-Waudru, datand din secolul al V-lea, adesea comparata cu Notre Dame din Paris.

EN: In the heart of Mons lies the Grand-Place, a beautiful square filled with terraces and cafés. Here, you’ll find the remarkable Hôtel de Ville (town hall). Don’t forget to touch the head of the monkey statue at the entrance, as it is believed to grant wishes. Originally, it was meant to assist women that wanted to get pregnant.

RO: In centrul Mons se afla Grand-Place, o piata frumoasa cu terase si cafenele. Aici vei gasi remarcabilul Hôtel de Ville (primaria). Nu uita sa atingi capul unei statui cu o maimuta de la intrare, deoarece se crede ca iti indeplineste dorintele. Initial, aceasta era destinata sa ajute femeile care isi doresc sa ramana insarcinate.

EN: You cannot miss the Belfry of Mons, one of the 33 Belfries in Belgium. It now serves as a museum, offering a permanent exhibition and a breathtaking view from the top.

RO: Nu poti rata Belfry din Mons, unul dintre cele 33 de turnuri Belfry din Belgia. Acum gazduieste un muzeu, cu o expozitie permanenta si o priveliste  minunata de sus.

EN: As mentioned above, Mons was the European City of Culture in 2015 so that’s why in 2021 there were still impressive cultural manifestations, structures, and constructions around the city.

RO: Cum spuneam mai sus, Mons a fost Capitala Culturala Europeana in 2015 si din acest motiv in 2021 mai puteai gasi prin oras diverse manifestari culturale, constructii si structuri de genul.

La petite fille aux papillons / artist David Mesguich (o gasesti in piata Franklin Delano Roosevelt).

L’Escapade / artist Oli-B (in gradina Gustave Jacobs)

The Passenger / artist Arne Quinze (sculptura de lemn ocupa strada Nimy).

EN: How to get to Mons from Bucharest? To reach Mons from Bucharest, you can take a flight and the train to Charleroi-South train station. More details on this post (scroll to the end). From Charleroi-South, you can easily catch a train to Mons for a one-way ticket price of 9 EUR.

RO: Cum ajungi din Bucuresti in Mons? Pentru a ajunge la Mons din Bucuresti, poti lua un avion si apoi un tren pana la statia Charleroi-South. Mai multe detalii in acest post (scroll pana jos). De acolo, poti lua un tren catre Mons, cu un pret de 9 EUR pentru un bilet dus.