This is a series of caches: just a few minutes from the heart of the European district, you will discover a series of parks and squares home to numerous architectural treasures in styles such as neo-Gothic, neo-Renaissance, and Art Nouveau, all waiting to be discovered.
Water plays a central role in this collection of parks, almost integrated into each one, recreating the historical course of the Maelbeek river.
The Maelbeek stream originates to the south of Brussels, and flowed openly through meadows, passing through 58 ponds. At the time, the European quarter was far from resembling the neighbourhood we know today: the landscape was more like that of a countryside, with the Maelbeek running through this valley, with small farms, mills, breweries along its banks. However, the stream caused floods and posed public health risks: while mostly underground today, the Maelbeek is not forgotten, and it even lends its name to the nearby metro station.
You are now at square Marguerite, the smallest of the three squares. It bears a historical name, as do most of the streets in the neighborhood, named in connection with the history of the young Belgian state or the older history of the region. Its designation refers to Marguerite of York (1446-1503), the third wife of the Duke of Burgundy, Charles le Téméraire, or to his granddaughter, Marguerite of Austria, born in Brussels in 1480, who served as the governess of the Netherlands for her nephew, Charles V.
Architect Gédéon Bordiau had envisioned the construction of a monumental church on the square, which would splendidly conclude the perspective of the neighborhood:
Projet non exécuté de basilique [Bulletin des Métiers d’Art], 1903-1904).
But the church was never built: the residents of the surrounding area decided to build a chapel on Rue du Noyer, in the territory of Schaerbeek. Against the advice of the liberal and anti-clerical City of Brussels, the chapel was recognized as a place of worship for a new parish, that of the Sacred Heart. When, the following year, parishioners requested the transfer of the chapel to Square Marguerite, Brussels categorically opposed it. On the initiative of King Leopold II, the project was abandoned, in favor of the Koekelberg site, larger and overlooking the capital.
Square Marguerite therefore remained a vast esplanade lined with trees, serving as a playground. Before 1903, a decagonal music kiosk with inclined posts and a pavilion roof was installed. Originally, a tram line also ran along the north side of the square.
Initially intended to host a church, Square Marguerite is now arranged as a welcoming space for young people and athletes.
The residents' group "Autour de Marguerite," established in 2019, aims to transform the square into a greener and more livable space. They have introduced a communal vegetable garden in the upper part of the square, a street library, and organize street parties. Every Wednesday, Square Marguerite hosts a new market that features local, regional, and sustainable products.