“Ever wonder where letters once raced through Brussels?” That’s the story the Rue de la Poste whispers. This Brussels street has a history stretching back centuries. Today, we will uncover the secrets of Rue de la Poste.
Rue de la Poste, or Poststraat in Dutch, begins in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode. It starts at Rue Botanique near the Jardin botanique buildings. It ends in Schaerbeek at Place Lehon. The street also crosses paths with several other streets. These include Rue Godefroid de Bouillon and Rue Rogier.
Centuries ago, Rue de la Poste was part of a trade route. This route connected Bruges and Cologne. It was known as Zavelweg, meaning “Street of the Sablon”. Stagecoaches traveled this way in the 18th century.
The street’s path has evolved. It may even date back to Roman times. It was once called Chemin de la Poste. This road branched west near the current Rue De Locht. It linked to Rue Verte, now Rue Gallait.
Before 1835, Chemin de la Poste became a street. This happened up to just past Rue Rogier. By 1858, Rue de la Poste stretched beyond Rue de la Marne. However, a section between Rue des Palais and Rue de la Constitution remained.
In 1863, an alignment decree shaped the street. Later, in 1871, Rue de la Poste extended to Rue Vandermeersch. The creation of Place Lehon shortened it a bit.
Construction changed Rue de la Poste. In the 1840s and 1850s, neoclassical houses appeared. Examples include numbers 87, 89, and 105. Before 1876, most buildings were neoclassical. Some empty plots filled in the 1880s and 1890s.
Rue de la Poste also housed institutions. The Couvent des Sœurs du Pauvre Enfant Jésus became a school. The Patronage Sainte-Marie school was rebuilt in 1906. Other institutions existed but were later demolished or transformed.
At number 37 Rue de la Poste, you could find MRAX. At number 53 you could find Parc Saint-François. Number 111 housed the Haute École – Groupe ICHEC-ISC – Saint-Louis-ISFSC. Number 121 was home to an Art Deco house.
Today, Rue de la Poste is a vibrant street. It connects different parts of Brussels. It also reminds us of its rich past. From trade route to post road, it has evolved. Next time you’re nearby, take a stroll down Rue de la Poste. Picture those stagecoaches. Imagine the letters racing to their destinations.