Imagine marshlands. That image connects directly to Broeck – Broek in Brussels. The name itself tells a story.
Broeck – Broek. It means marsh or wetland. The Old Dutch words “bruoc” or “broek” signify marsh. “Sella”, “zele”, or “sel” means home or settlement. Thus Broeck – Broek is the settlement in the marsh.
Saint Vindicianus referred to Brosella as early as 695. At that time it was a hamlet. Now we call it Broeck – Broek. It’s a testament to the area’s watery origins.
Brussels grew from a small rural area on the Senne river. It became a vital city-region in Europe. Its early history is closely tied to the land. Brussels’ original name reflects this deep connection.
The landscape shaped early Brussels. The Senne river created marshy conditions. The lower clay layer proved challenging. Wide areas became pasture. They also became grounds for textile work.
The name Broekzele embodies this history. This intimate link to the soil remains in the name Broeck – Broek.
Hills rose more sharply on the Senne’s right bank. Sandy soil meant better water infiltration. This area proved less suitable for farming. The eastern hills became woods. The Sonian Forest is a remnant of these woods.
Flanders and Brabant became prosperous in the Middle Ages. They intensified agriculture. Common land disappeared early. The land was well-cultivated and the population was dense. Commerce thrived in towns.
The Pajottenland became Brussels’ main agricultural area. It lay between the Senne and Dender valleys. As early as the ninth century collective lands marked crop rotations.
For a long time grains remained the most important produce. Later, potatoes joined them. Livestock supported fieldwork. They provided manure and pulling power.
Old maps reveal many small gardening plots. Convents first housed these market gardens. They included kitchen gardens and orchards. By the 14th century, small-scale market gardening appeared outside the city.
These gardeners lived at the edge of the marshland. They became known as Boerkozen or Maraîchers. This translates to swamp dwellers. Today Maraîchers means market gardeners. The name shows the close link between water and farming.
The Boerkozen mainly produced for the early market. They supplied merchants and shopkeepers in the city. This intimate relationship with the land defined early Brussels. Broeck – Broek reminds us of these roots.
Today Broeck – Broek is a brownfield undergoing transformation. It aims to become an economic hotspot. The focus lies on education and manufacturing. Spaces will be available for performing arts. It hopes to foster a circular economy.
Multi-story industrial halls will incorporate maker shops. A green framework will penetrate these buildings. Hundreds of trees will be planted to restore the historic valley.
Broeck – Broek. It is a place with a future but deeply connected to its past. It stands as a reminder of Brussels’ humble origins. From marshy settlement to modern hub. It has always been shaped by its landscape.