Is it possible for a building to whisper tales of war and art? La Bellone does just that. This cultural center in Brussels is more than meets the eye. La Bellone is tucked away behind a building on Rue de Flandre. Many Brussels residents don’t even know it exists.
Let’s step back to 1697. Architect Jean Cosyn created this Flemish Baroque masterpiece. He also designed the bakers’ guild house on Grand Place. But La Bellone has even more spectacular details. Note the four Roman emperor heads and military trophies. These decorations celebrate Prince Eugene of Savoy’s victory. He defeated the Turks at the Battle of Zenta in 1697.
La Bellone gets its name from Bellona. She is the Roman goddess of war. Her figure stands proudly over the main door. Charles Buls, a former mayor, named it La Bellone when the city bought it in 1913.
The house has had many lives. At one point, it even served as a police station. Today, the French-speaking community runs it as a cultural venue.
Painter and scenographer Serge Creuz transformed La Bellone in 1980. He turned it into a place for live performance. It became a hub for performing arts professionals. In 1995, architect Olivier Noterman added a glass roof. He partnered with engineer René Greisch to create this arch-shaped roof. It covers 300 square meters, resting on only five points. This was a major technical feat.
The building’s facade mixes Renaissance and Baroque styles. You will see strict pilasters and rectangular windows. Also notice the exuberant Baroque decorations. The gable features allegories of time and space. A wise old man with a book represents time. A young man with a compass and globe shows space. Medallions on the window ledges display Roman emperors. Look for Hadrian, Trajan, Antoninus, and Marcus Aurelius. Trophies at the base of the pilasters show fishing, war, order, commerce, peace, and hunting.
La Bellone also has a connection to Olympe Mancini. She was exiled from France due to her involvement in the affair of poisons. As niece to Cardinal Mazarin, her life was quite theatrical.
Today, La Bellone is a hub for research and discussion. It is a resource for performing artists. It also welcomes anyone interested in stage writing production.
So, as you stand before La Bellone. Remember its journey. It is a journey from war commemoration to artistic haven. La Bellone is a place where history and culture meet. It’s a hidden gem that enriches Brussels.