The Chaussée de Gand a bustling artery. It connects the pentagon of Brussels-ville to Ghent. Imagine its historical significance. This road once linked the Rhineland to Flanders. Cobblestones paved the way in the 18th century. Trade flourished.
The Chaussée de Gand fueled Koekelberg’s industrial rise. Many factories sprang up between 1800 and 1830. The road’s importance is undeniable. It facilitated the growth of Molenbeek.
In Molenbeek the Chaussée de Gand dates back to the first half of the 15th century. The city maintained it. The road was paved to the Quatre Vents Inn. That inn stood at the corner of the present-day Quatre Vents Street. It marked the old Dilbeek road.
In 1447 the city of Brussels funded improvements. The Chaussée de Gand was lined with trees to Berchem. Citizens showed civic pride. They even donated stones and sand for repairs. This is documented by historian Louis Musin.
The 19th century saw a boom in cafes and shops along the Chaussée de Gand. Workers frequented them. The arrival of the tramway boosted its commercial activity. Customers came from all over Brussels and beyond.
The Chaussée de Gand played a vital role in Molenbeek’s industrial revolution. The proximity to Brussels and a canal linking to the Scheldt River was key. The road was a major thoroughfare. So was the Chaussée d’Anvers.
Today the Chaussée de Gand boasts hundreds of shops. They sell everything from food and clothes to restaurant services and coffee. Many businesses cater to the large immigrant population. The Moroccan community has been particularly prominent in Molenbeek since the 1960s. In 2017 more than 20 000 people walked along the Chaussée de Gand each day. It’s one of Brussels’s busiest commercial arteries.
The Chaussée de Gand has seen many changes. It has seen renovations throughout history. Recent improvements were made in 1995 and 2016. These upgrades aimed to modernize the area. They also sought to improve traffic flow for drivers pedestrians cyclists and public transportation. The 2016 renovation cost nearly 20 million euros. The road remains a vital access route to the Brussels region.
The Chaussée de Gand has witnessed history. It saw the construction of buildings. It saw the demolition of others. The Chapelle Saint-Jean a 16th-18th century chapel once stood there. So did four inns the Rode Leeuw Den Hert Vierwinden and De Pauw. Elegant houses once lined the southern side near the Etangs Noirs.
The Chaussée de Gand also hosted the Molenbeek-Saint-Jean cemetery. That cemetery was built in 1864. The old cemetery near the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church was too small. It had to be replaced. The consecration of the new cemetery was initially opposed. There were conflicts between the Church and the largely liberal government. The Court of Cassation intervened. It placed all cemeteries under civil authority. The cemetery’s rhododendron is a protected monument.
The Chaussée de Gand held six cinemas in the 20th century. The Kinox Pathé Forum and Crystal were the most famous. The Forum with over 1300 seats closed in 1973. The Crystal closed in the 1970s. It was transformed into a store. It was later repurposed as a business centre.
The Chaussée de Gand played a part in Belgian cinema history. At the Château du Karreveld a studio was built in 1912. It housed a glass studio workshops for artists and a small zoo. It hosted exotic animals for use in films. Alfred Machin directed notable films there including Maudite soit la guerre.
The Chaussée de Gand its history its people its commerce. It remains a vital part of Brussels. Its story continues to unfold.