Beneath the gaze of a bronze bust, a story unfolds at the Maurice Van Meenen Plaque. This plaque, affixed to the left facade of Saint-Gilles Town Hall, commemorates a man whose name echoes in the very square we stand in: Maurice Van Meenen. The plaque, crafted in 1919 by sculptor Paul Stoffyn and cast by the National Bronze Foundry, depicts Van Meenen in formal attire, adorned with medals. The inscription reads, “To Maurice Van Meenen. The Communal Council gave the name of Maurice Van Meenen to this square in recognition of the services rendered to the commune by its eminent mayor. 1848-1909.” Van Meenen, born in 1848, began his career as a lawyer, collaborating with Paul Janson. He entered the political arena as a Liberal candidate in 1879, securing a seat on the Saint-Gilles Communal Council. This marked the start of a thirty-year municipal career. He served as Alderman of Public Instruction in 1881. Later, he held the esteemed position of Mayor from 1900 until his death in 1909. His tenure coincided with a period of significant urban development for Saint-Gilles. One notable achievement was the construction of the new Town Hall, inaugurated in 1904, replacing the smaller, inadequate building at Parvis. Shortly after his passing, the square facing the Town Hall was renamed in his honor. The Maurice Van Meenen Plaque serves as a lasting tribute to his dedication and contribution to the community. It’s a testament to a man who shaped the very landscape of Saint-Gilles.
Museum of the Gueuze
“Isn’t it strange,”” a visitor mused, “”that a brewery could also be a museum?”” Indeed, the Museum of the Gueuze,