A horse’s whinny. That’s how our story of Place de la Duchesse de Brabant begins. Not with the elegant duchess herself, but with the humble creatures that once filled this square. Place de la Duchesse de Brabant wasn’t always a peaceful urban space. It has a rather boisterous past. Imagine hundreds of horses, their hooves clattering on the cobblestones, the air thick with the smells of hay and horseflesh. This was the site of a bustling horse market that operated right here on Place de la Duchesse de Brabant until 1998. It drew traders and buyers from all corners, each hoping to strike a deal. The market eventually moved to Anderlecht and then closed completely amidst concerns about animal welfare. Now, the square has a more tranquil atmosphere. The name Place de la Duchesse de Brabant honors Marie-Henriette of Austria, wife of King Leopold II and Duchess of Brabant. Created in 1847 on land belonging to the Hospices de Bruxelles, the square is actually the largest in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. The neoclassical facade of the old hospice building still stands and now houses a communal school. Dominating Place de la Duchesse de Brabant is the Sainte-Barbe church, erected in 1869. While the architecture of the square might not be perfectly harmonious, revitalization efforts have improved its appearance. Today, the echoes of horse traders are replaced by the murmur of conversations at the four-seasons vegetable market held every Tuesday. Place de la Duchesse de Brabant has traded its chaotic past for a vibrant community present.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to