Parlamentarium

The Parlamentarium is the visitor centre of the European Parliament, located on Rue Wiertz in the European Quarter of Brussels. It occupies the Willy Brandt building next to the Parliament's main hemicycle complex and presents the history, institutions and decision-making of the European Union through interactive exhibits. Entry is free and every visitor receives a multi-language audio guide that works with the displays. The exhibition is spread across several floors and begins with a large panoramic film showing the diversity of the continent, followed by a timeline that traces European integration from the aftermath of the Second World War to the present. Interactive stations let visitors explore how laws are made, how Members of the European Parliament are elected and how the budget is shaped. A 360-degree theatre places visitors in a simulated debate, while a section on politics lets users vote and compare opinions. The content is presented in all official EU languages. A visit lasts about ninety minutes, and weekday mornings are the quietest time, since school groups arrive from late morning. The centre opens Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:00 and at weekends from 10:00 to 18:00, with variations on parliamentary holidays. The nearest metro stop is Maelbeek on lines 1 and 5, about a seven-minute walk, and buses 34, 80 and 95 serve the area. Bag checks apply at the entrance. The Parlamentarium works well with the nearby Museum of Natural Sciences and Leopold Park, and with the House of European History next door, which offers a separate view of the continent's past. Photography of the exhibits is generally permitted. For visitors to Brussels, Belgium, the centre offers a free and informative introduction to the institutions that make up the city's international role.