Art nouveau Schaarbeek

cycling
t o u r
13
art nouveau
schaarbeek / schaerbeek
brussel / bruxelles extensions
10 km | 2 hours
summary of the tour – theme
This circuit will allow discovering one of the most beautiful towns of the Brussels-Capital Region that is
however a bit unknown by people. It is mainly at the start of the second half of the 19th century that it
was significantly developed and turned into a true urban community. New avenues were developed and
new buildings, public and private, were built. At present, Schaarbeek / Schaerbeek remains one of the
most important towns in Brussels, with a population of over 100,000 inhabitants. We will discover a few
Art Nouveau buildings and a few more that were built at the turn of the 19th century. The journey will
continue into the squares quarter that, planned back in 1875, is becoming more attractive with a few
magnificent Art Nouveau constructions.
Brussels is considered as the Art Nouveau capital at the European level, because it is actually in this city
that, in 1893, this architectural and decorative style was born. Victor Horta started it, in an organic inspiration, and Paul Hankar, translated it into a more geometric language. This architecture will promote
the use of metal structure favouring a better penetration of light in the core of the buildings, in places
where formerly it was missing.
www.velo-city2009.com
bbs-gc
End of the trip to Kunst-Wet / Arts-Loi: the guide will take the group back to the departure point
through an itinerary of its choice.
route description
1. Ancien Hôtel Cohn-Donnay, 316 Koningsstraat / Rue Royale,
Sint-Joost-Ten-Node / Saint-Josse-ten-Noode
This old townhouse is now converted into a tavern-restaurant, 'De Ultieme Hallucinatie'. It was built in 1841. In 1904,
the architect Paul Hamesse partially changed the neo-classical façade and the interior into an Art Nouveau style.
2. City hall of Schaarbeek / Schaerbeek, Colignonplein / Place Colignon, Schaarbeek / Schaerbeek
This prestigious building is the work of the architect Jules-Jacques Van Ysendijck and was the beginning of a whole
district's construction. It was built between 1884 and 1887 in a Flemish New Renaissance style. Badly damaged in
arson in 1911, it was identically re-built and enlarged in 1912 by the architect's son, Maurice Van Ysendijck. A 65
metre high belfry, symbol signifying the town's importance, elevates its impressive façade.
3. Houses of Henri Jacobs, Maarschalk Fochlaan / Av. Maréchal Foch 7, 9 and 11, Schaarbeek / Schaerbeek
Built between 1899 and the beginning of the 20th century, these
Art Nouveau houses are the works of Henri Jacobs, an architect
from Schaarbeek / Schaerbeek specialized in the construction
of social housing and especially non-denominational schools as
well. N°9, remarkable with its very big Privat Livemont graffiti,
was the architect's home.
4. Autrique-huis / Maison Autrique, Haachtsesteenweg 266 / Ch. de Haecht, 266 Schaarbeek / Schaerbeek
This house is one of the first built by Victor Horta, one of the Art Nouveau masters. Built in 1893, it introduces
Art Nouveau in different details. At present, owned by Schaarbeek / Schaerbeek township, it is under restoration
by a specialized architect and was sketched by François Schuiten, a cartoonist from Schaarbeek / Schaerbeek, and
Benoît Peeters, his scriptwriter. It is accessible to the public and shows lifestyles of the past.
5. Louis Bertrandlaan / Avenue Louis Bertrand, Schaarbeek / Schaerbeek
This prestigious Schaarbeek / Schaerbeek avenue was planned
in 1905. The "bourgeois" townhouses and the block of flats
that border it were built between 1905 and 1914 and show
the architectural styles that were appreciated back then: New
Gothic, Art Nouveau, eclecticism … a unique, homogeneous
and harmonious set!
6. Josafat-schoolgroep / Groupe scolaire Josaphat, Josaphatstraat 259 / Rue Josaphat, 259,
Schaarbeek / Schaerbeek
This academic group gathers two schools of Henri Jacob's works, an Art Nouveau architect from Schaarbeek / Schaerbeek. The academic complex, which occupies a good part inside the small island, is remarkable with its architectural
details. The metal structure of the covered playground and the Privat Livemont graffiti are worth the trip ...
7. Josaphat park
Built at the same time as Louis Bertrandlaan / Avenue Louis Bertrand (1905), this splendid landscape park shows
the strength of will of King Leopold II to equip his capital with big and beautiful green spaces. It still has a set of
remarkable sculptures dating from the end of the 19th century.
8. Weldoenersplein / Place des Bienfaiteurs
Built by the landscape architect Edmond Galoppin, this roundabout, which was built to make up the difference
in level of 6 metres, is marked in its centre by a monument set up in memory of the town's benefactors. The
sculptures that decorate the Art Nouveau fountain are the works of Godefroid Devreese. The square is bordered
with buildings built during two eras, before 1914 and during the interwar period. Notice n°5 and 6, two Henri
Jacobs buildings.
9. Quartier des squares et Saint-Cyr-huis / maison Saint-Cyr
The squares set of Marie-Louise, Ambiorix and Marguerite as well as Palmerstonlaan / Avenue Palmerston were
built in 1875 according to architect and urban planner Gédéon Bordiau's plans. A series of high quality public
spaces were developed in the community. The bordering buildings were for the most part built before World War I
and show that period's tastes. Notice in particular, at n°11 of Ambiorixsquare / Square Ambiorix, Maison SaintCyr, built in the 1900's by the architect Gustave Strauven. Its very narrow façade (the plot is only 4 metres wide)
stretches on 5 levels and presents decorative exuberance belonging to this Art Nouveau architect.
10. Hotel Van Eetvelde, Palmerstonlaan 4-6 / Avenue Palmerston, 4-6, Brussel / Bruxelles
In 1895, baron Van Eetvelde, a close collaborator of Leopold II, entrusted the construction of his own hotel with
Victor Horta. The metal structure of this building's façade is visible, which is a total characteristic of Horta's Art
Nouveau works. Different mosaic panels in organic shapes decorate the façade. Few years later, Horta had the
responsibility to expand the building on the right and to build the corner building on the left. These constructions
are far less bold.
contact details
For more information on this technical tour,
please contact:
Pro Velo vzw / asbl
Pro Velo is an association with an objective to promote bicycle use as a mode of
transportation and discovery. It suggests to authorities, schools and general public several services:
research department, events organisation and bicycle education, guided tours and rental.
Pro Velo - Het Fietsershuis / La Maison des Cyclistes
Londenstraat 15 / 15 rue de Londres
1050 Brussel / Bruxelles
+32 (0)2/502.73.55
info@provelo.org
www.provelo.org