Hidden on a quiet corner in Brussels, the Maison Taelemans whispers tales of Art Nouveau elegance. The Maison Taelemans stands at the intersection of Rue Philippe le Bon and Rue de la Pacification. Built in 1901, this wasn’t just another house. It was the personal residence of the renowned architect Victor Taelemans. He was the mastermind behind architectural gems like the Liétart house and the magnificent Villa Elisa. Taelemans designed the Maison Taelemans as a testament to his unique vision. The house showcases a fascinating blend of white stone and blue stone, creating a visually striking contrast. The facade, longer along Rue de la Pacification, features a distinctive corner bay window. The Maison Taelemans bears a subtle resemblance to the Hôtel Otlet. This suggests a possible influence of Octave Van Rysselberghe’s earlier work on Taelemans’s design. Every window of the Maison Taelemans tells a different story. The entrance, framed by an intricate horseshoe arch, beckons you to step inside. A grand bay window on the ground floor, divided into six sections by delicate mullions and piers, floods the interior with natural light. Two oriels, one trapezoidal and the other triangular, adorn the upper floors. They add to the building’s asymmetrical charm. Look closely, and you’ll see the restored sgraffito beneath the cornices. It depicts a serene scene of the sea and seagulls. This detail, once lost to time, has been painstakingly revived. The Maison Taelemans stands as a testament to Taelemans’s artistry. It is a hidden gem in the heart of Brussels.
Museum of the Gueuze
“Isn’t it strange,”” a visitor mused, “”that a brewery could also be a museum?”” Indeed, the Museum of the Gueuze,