Free tour

👑In search of the Spanish traces of Brussels -The wars in Flanders: Charles V and Philip II-

5.00

Excellent(5)

Brussels

Duration: 2 hours

Languages: Spanish

Guru: Javier

Registered on 28 January 2026

Javier Rubio Monte is a journalist and researcher specializing in historical popularization. He writes articles for “Vozpópuli” and directs “Trincheras Ocultas” (Hidden Trenches), a YouTube channel with over 30,000 subscribers where he explores the Hispanic legacy in Europe, broadcasting from Brussels. His work combines the precision of a historian with the curiosity of a journalist, traveling to the sites where events took place and engaging in dialogue with leading experts on the continent. He firmly believes that history cannot be understood without the spirit of journalism: the relentless pursuit of truth.

Free reservation and cancellation

Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free

Tour description

The tour of the Spanish footprint in Brussels invites you to rediscover one of the most forgotten — and yet most decisive — epics in the history of Spain and Europe: the presence of the Hispanic Monarchy in the former Netherlands .

Javier Rubio will explain the places visited by kings such as Charles V and Philip II, or ministers such as Margaret of Parma, the Duke of Alba, Don Juan of Austria, or Alexander Farnese.

A way to learn about the Spanish history of a city, guided by someone who has been working on the ground for over three years as a journalist for media outlets such as "VozPópuli" and "Escudo Digital." He is also familiar with the politics of the European Parliament, as he visits it frequently for work.

The tour will explore the political, military, and cultural connections between the Spanish and Flemish within the same empire. From the pikes and arquebuses of the Tercios to the brushstrokes of Peter Paul Rubens: Why did the Spanish monarchs bring paintings by Bosch, Van der Weyden, and Jan van Eyck from Belgium?

The guide's expertise will make this tour an unforgettable experience , as they know the secrets hidden in the city of Brussels. They will also offer advice on food and drink, which, as the Duke of Alba said, "was plentiful in this land."

Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:

The King of Spain

I will be holding a book in the place of Le roi d'Espagne

Outside visit

Grand Place

Outside visit

Spanish Square

Outside visit

Galeries Royales Saint Hubert

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours don't have a fixed price. At the end, each person contributes to the guide the amount they consider fair based on their satisfaction. As a guideline, Guruwalk recommends between €15 and $50 per participant.