This is a serie of caches: Just a few minutes from the heart of the European district, you will discover a series of parks and squares, some 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.
So, let yourself be carried along the Maelbeek River, following in the footsteps of great architects during a stroll through this eclectic district. As you explore hidden treasures, remarkable facades, and amazing details that make Art Nouveau a gem of Brussels' heritage, you can look for some geocaches along the way!
You are now at Square Marie-Louise, centered around a pond, with a fountain and a fake cave (created in 1886 by the entrepreneur Blaton), all covered in lush vegetation and waterfalls, creating a picturesque and romantic atmosphere. Its name likely refers to the Archduchess of Austria, who married Napoleon I in 1810.
Square Marie-Louise, la cascade de la grotte artificielle (Collection de Dexia Banque, s.d.).
Three sculptures have been placed around the pond: "La Cigale" by the sculptor Émile Namur in 1906, followed in the 1930s by "Naissance d'une Nation" by Marius Vos and "Lieutenant-General Bernheim" by the sculptor Edmond de Valeriola. Benches are also installed along the path. Made of wood with reinforced "rustic" metal legs, they were set up in the early 1900s.
Unfortunately, a significant portion of the original residences around the square had to make way for imposing apartment buildings.
Vue du square Marie Louise vers la rue Ortelius (Collection de Dexia Banque).
Around the square, you can find the Hôtel van Eetvelde, designed by Victor Horta and built in 1895 in the Art Nouveau style, (Avenue Palmerston n. 4). According to Victor Horta himself, the design of this house was the most audacious he had ever undertaken. The client was Baron Edmond van Eetvelde, the Secretary-General of the independent state of Congo, a close associate of King Leopold II.
Together with three other townhouses designed by Victor Horta, including Horta's own residence and studio, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2000.
The Hôtel Deprez-Van de Velde, constructed by Horta in 1895-96 at the intersection of Avenue Palmerston and Rue Boduognat, was a mansion for Georges Deprez, the director of the Val Saint-Lambert crystal glassworks, and his wife. Victor Horta's original building had only three bays along Avenue Palmerston, but in 1910, the new owner, Henri Renkin, expanded the mansion.
The facade along Rue Boduognat is particularly noteworthy for its remarkable entrance door, one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau in Brussels.
