BELGIUM - WATERLOO - PART 3

I continued not feeling through the night and woke up Saturday fairly certain I wasn't up to a day out. The plan was to go tour Waterloo where there are various sights and museums.   I opted to stay home,  and Karen and David went without me.  I ended up spending the day in bed glad I hadn't taken a chance on feeling well enough to endure a day out.

David's going to continue this post with pictures and thoughts about Waterloo.....

Until a few days ago, I really didn't know where Waterloo was nor the significance of Waterloo beyond the phrase "Napoleon met his Waterloo".  Anyway, Waterloo was just a few miles from where we were staying in Braine l'Alleud Belgium.

We went to the town of Waterloo for dinner our first night in Belgium,  and it was a very nice town.  In addition to your typical restaurants and shops in Waterloo is the Wellington Museum.  In 1815 Napoleon seemed unstoppable as France's emperor with France winning military victories and expanding their land.  Napoleon met his match in Waterloo.  Wellington was the British commander who,  along with the support of German troops,  defeated Napoleon.

Wellington Museum in Waterloo

Wellington Platter-notice the domed church

The domed church across from  museum

There are four venues related to the battle and we were able to visit two:  the Wellington Museum in Waterloo and the battle ground.  The Wellington Museum was very interesting,  but the museum at the battlefield (called the 1815 Memorial) was amazing.  There were many exhibits of artifacts leading up to the battle at Waterloo and then more on artifacts from the battle itself.  There was also a 3D video depicting the battle.  After visiting the museum,  Karen and I climbed to the top of a domed-shaped mound (220 steps) that gave amazing views.

One of the displays showing battle uniforms

The 1815 Memorial from the base.

From the top of the 1815 Memorial.

Many of you know I am an early riser, and I often go out for a walk, especially in new cities.  One of the mornings in Braine l'Alleud, I went to the city's historic church.  Below is the plaque outside the church.  Just to think that a little over 200 years ago the wounded from the battle of Waterloo were treated in this church amazed me.

Plaque on the church in Braine l'Alleud

Church in Braine l'Alleud

Napoleon is entombed in Paris not far from our apartment.  I have yet to visit his tomb but will do so soon.  While Napoleon met his Waterloo and was a relentless conqueror,  he was also a great leader.  Even today we are benefiting from Napoleon's wisdom and leadership in many areas of everyday life including banking, civil law and consistent measures.

Invalides - the location of Napoleon's tomb