Deep within Brussels lies a secret. It is a secret whispered on the wind. It is a secret held by the Moeraske.
The Moeraske is a marsh. In Dutch, Moeraske means “small marsh”. This 14-hectare semi-natural site shows what the Senne valley looked like before the 18th century.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine the valley before railways and highways. The Kerkebeek stream meandered. It fed marshes and wetlands. Then came the railways between Brussels and Mechelen. This changed the Kerkebeek valley forever. A second railway line was built. It shortened the trip between Brussels and Liege.
In the 1900s, the Belgian State Railways built a huge railway yard. It had locomotive sheds, garages, and repair shops. A railway connecting to Evere was added. It was abandoned quickly. By the mid-20th century, the Moeraske was mostly meadows. There were orchards, fields, and vegetable gardens. Houses were scattered around.
During 1944, bombs fell here. They targeted the railway yard. Big changes came in the early 1980s. A highway extension was planned toward the capital’s center. Landfill was erected along the Kerkebeek. Construction was abandoned. A regulating basin remained. It collected water from nearby sources. This basin became the Moeraske’s pond. Over time, it became the marsh we see today.
In 1984, the Brussels Agglomeration classified the site as a green area. It was recognized for its high biological value. Since 1989, the Brussels-Capital Region manages the Moeraske. In 1995, the marsh became a natural reserve.
Today, the Moeraske teems with life. It has marshy areas and a lively stream. There are dry meadows and wooded slopes. You can find vegetable gardens and thickets. Ponds and wet meadows dot the landscape. The Kerkebeek stream is full of life. It is home to many sticklebacks. Smooth and alpine newts thrive in the marsh. Common toads and frogs also live here. Rabbits, weasels, and foxes roam the area. Bats from nearby Walckiers Park visit. They feast on the insects here.
More than sixty bird species reside in Moeraske. A third of them nest here. You might spot a water rail or a snipe. A kingfisher or a woodcock could appear. Gray wagtails flit along the streams. Warblers sing from the bushes. Blackcaps hide in the foliage. Green woodpeckers search for food. Sparrowhawks and kestrels fly overhead.
The Moeraske boasts about a third of Belgium’s flora. There is alfalfa in the meadows. Marsh plants such as reeds and irises grow near the water. Willows, alder trees, hornbeams, and tall ash trees stand tall.
A two-kilometer hiking trail runs through the Moeraske. It separates meadows from wooded areas. There are paths to the undergrowth, marsh, and ponds. You can enter from Walckiers Street, Carli Street, Bon Pasteur Park, or Kerkhoek Garden.
The CEBE organizes free guided tours every second Sunday of the month. The Moeraske is part of the Green Promenade. This path goes around the Brussels-Capital Region. It connects parks and nature areas.
The Moeraske faces threats. The extension of the Schaerbeek-Haren station could harm it. But for now, this small marsh remains. It is a testament to nature’s resilience. It reminds us of the valley’s past. It is a green lung in the heart of Brussels. Take a deep breath and enjoy its beauty.