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A Magic Floral Carpet Ride

Every two years since 1971, volunteers in Brussels, Belgium have constructed a massive and stunning floral carpet in the town's Grand Place. The finished product comes in at just under 20,000 square feet and one million flowers. The design is always different, but the flowers are always begonias. But of course -- Belgium is the world's largest producer of the vibrant flowers.

A Magic Floral Carpet Ride

Every two years since 1971, volunteers in Brussels, Belgium have constructed a massive and stunning floral carpet in the town's Grand Place. The finished product comes in at just under 20,000 square feet and one million flowers. The design is always different, but the flowers are always begonias. Belgium is the world's largest producer of the vibrant flowers. The 2008 carpet is seen here.

Thierry Charlier, AP

The flowers stay in place for just three days at the end of summer every two years. The tradition started in 1971 with an inspired landscape architect.

Thierry Charlier, AP

Dozens of workers construct the carpet for thousands of spectators. In addition to begonias, landscapers used tree bark, grass, and dahlias in 2008.

Thierry Charlier, AP

The 2008 design was inspired by 18th century French tapestry patterns. Three hundred flowers were packed in to every square meter.

Thierry Charlier, AP

This 2006 design drew on styles of the Middle Ages.

AFP/Getty Images

The plans for each carpet pattern are set up to a year in advance.

Mathieu Paternoster, Labo River

Spectators gather in Brussels' town square every other August to admire the floral masterpiece. The 2004 pattern is seen here.

AFP/Getty Images

This 2002 floral carpet, complete with fountains, was made up of 800,000 begonias spread over 19,375 square feet.

Virginia Mayo, AP

This carpet design from 2000 recreated the emblem of Brussels, Archangel Saint Michael.

AFP/Getty Images

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Wbischo 07:49:03 PM Feb 07 2009

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I am almost seventy two years old and have visited Europe, and my husband even visited Belgium. Neither of us have ever heard about this beautiful art project before. It is just awesome! But why such a well kept secret?

Pdgrovebaskets 07:31:21 PM Feb 07 2009

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BEAUTIFUL, Just Beautiful! Many years ago, back in the dark ages I was there in the Grand Place during college, in January, when I don't think the flowers would have done very well had they tried it during my trip. I'd LOVE to go back and see something like this. Brussels is an amazing city anyway. I was there right after the huge blizzard of 1980 that caused the crash of the Air Florida Jet into the 14th street bridge in DC and that same storm socked Europe in 3 feet of snow. I was in London when it hit. (people last week thought it was bad in 8 inches - ha, nothing to what we had to deal with) and anyway, the women in Brussels would get out every morning and scrub their stoops and sidewalks so they were immaculately clean. They hauled the snow away in dump trucks to clean this Grand Place because just where would you snow plow it to? It's a wonderful city. I've always wanted to go back (during a warmer time) and now I know when to go.

JOHNNEILHAGGERTY 06:49:50 PM Feb 07 2009

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Beautiful! Just Beautiful! What a shame it only lasts 2 days.

EmberBB 06:41:08 PM Feb 07 2009

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WOW, HOW BEAUTIFUL.

MBLACKDOGC 06:33:28 PM Feb 07 2009

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Absolutly amazing....isn't nature beautiful? Of course the craftsmen who made the rug helped too. Hope it will be recycled as compost after its demise.