91福利社

Michael Portillo鈥檚 Belgian journey takes him back to Brussels to examine a dark chapter in the country鈥檚 past. At the Museum of Africa, on the edge of the city, he learns about Belgium鈥檚 brutal seizure of the Congo under King Leopold II and a grand exhibition to celebrate his colonial success.

Travelling south into French-speaking Wallonia, Michael visits the site of the Battle of Waterloo, one of Britain鈥檚 most famous military victories. He explores a key position at Hougoumont Farm, where Wellington鈥檚 soldiers defended themselves from Napoleon鈥檚 forces, and joins re-enactors to fire a cannon known as Le Brutal.

In the province of Hainaut, the centre of Belgium鈥檚 Industrial Revolution, Michael admires a 19th-century boat lift, one of four on the Canal du Centre, the only working examples of their kind in the world today.