Whispers of history linger in Poelbosch-Poelbos. This isn’t just any park. Poelbosch-Poelbos in Brussels holds centuries of secrets.
Once a bustling limestone quarry it was a source of building materials. The monks of Dieleghem Abbey used Poelbosch-Poelbos’s stone to expand their grand abbey. They even supplied stones for religious buildings in Mechelen. Poelbosch-Poelbos supplied stone for the nearby Dieleghem Abbey and even the historic city walls of Brussels.
Flooding ended the quarry’s operation in the 17th century. The monks replanted the area. Beeches and oaks thrived. Poplars and ashes followed naturally. The former quarry became Poelbosch-Poelbos. The name literally means ‘wood of the pools’.
Edmond Tricher a Jette lawyer bought Poelbosch-Poelbos in 1889. He built a chateau. A romantic park surrounded it. World War II devastated the old beech trees. The occupiers cut most down for gunstocks.
Jette acquired Poelbosch-Poelbos in 1964. The chateau became a daycare center and youth club. It was eventually demolished in 1973 due to decay.
Poelbosch-Poelbos became part of King Baudouin Park in 1977. The valley was declared an educational nature reserve in 1978. The entire Poelbosch-Poelbos gained this protected status in 1998.
Today Poelbosch-Poelbos is a Natura 2000 site. It’s part of a larger green area in northwest Brussels. Its unique flora and fauna are exceptional. A small fishing club maintains the pond. They protect its biodiversity. The Children’s Farm a former rural site is now an educational farm. It teaches traditional methods like animal husbandry beekeeping and bread making. The remains of a Roman villa are visible.
Poelbosch-Poelbos offers walking trails a charming chalet and even a pond. It showcases a rich history. Poelbosch-Poelbos breathes life into Brussels past. Come discover its beauty and hidden stories.