Do you see that keystone above the door of Old Pannenhuis? It bears the date 1636. However the Old Pannenhuis itself was likely built around 1771. The keystone was probably salvaged from an older building.
Hello everyone. Welcome to the Old Pannenhuis. Today we will explore the rich history of this traditional building. The Old Pannenhuis stands at a notable intersection. It is located where Leopold I street meets the old Voetweg van Panhuis naer Brussel. This is near the hamlets of Pannenhuis and Esseghem.
The name “Pannenhuis” means “tile house” in Dutch. The Old Pannenhuis gets its name from its tiled roof. This was exceptional in its rural surroundings.
The Old Pannenhuis originally included a stone house. It also had a barn and stables. Besides the inn the site included grain fields and a brewery. The Moonens family bought the Old Pannenhuis in the late 18th century. They were a well-known family from Jette. They also ran other local inns. These included De Wilg, le Miroir and het Heideken.
From the mid-19th century onward the Old Pannenhuis had many owners. It became a gathering place. People came for public sales and fairs. Various associations met here. Legend says that Leopold I stopped at the Old Pannenhuis. This was during his festive entry into Brussels on July 21 1831. The story goes that the cup he drank from is still preserved here.
In 1830 a new inn opened across the intersection. It was called A la nouvelle Pannenhuis. This inn had a neoclassical building with a large garden and terrace but it was later torn down.
The Leopold I street was straightened and paved in the 1880s. The Old Pannenhuis was impacted by this. The lower transverse wing of the old inn was on the new road layout. During the interwar period this part was shortened. This allowed for street widening.
Shortly after the Rechtschapenheidsstraat opened in 1928 the corner section was cut off. Openings now in the side facade were added in 1938. Additional buildings were added later.
The Old Pannenhuis has two floors and four bays along Leopold I street. It also features a cut-off corner and one bay along Rechtschapenheidsstraat. The whole structure is under a gable roof. A lower transverse building has one bay. This part has a lean-to roof. The facade is made of brick and is now painted white. The window and door openings are arched and have shutters.
Inside the Old Pannenhuis the beam structure and stairs are partly original. There is also a vaulted cellar. The Old Pannenhuis is listed in the legal inventory since August 19 2024. The Old Pannenhuis stands as a testament to Brussels’ evolving history. It is a reminder of simpler times when neighborhood inns were the hearts of their communities. Take a moment to appreciate its enduring charm. Imagine the stories these walls could tell.