Did you notice how the shape of Place Rouppe is rectangular and symmetrical? It is a testament to Brussels’ rich history. We stand in the Midi–Lemonnier Quarter. This square tells a story of independence and transformation.
Place Rouppe is named in honor of Nicolas-Jean Rouppe. He was the first mayor of Brussels after the Belgian Revolution of 1830. Imagine him here overseeing the city’s rebirth. He earned the nickname “bourgmestre de l’indépendance”.
The Place Rouppe’s story began in 1841. It was meant as a forecourt for the Bogards Station. This was Brussels’ first South Station. The station is long gone. The Avenue de Stalingrad’s unusual width reminds us of the train tracks that once ran here.
In 1848, the Rouppe Fountain was inaugurated. Joseph Poelaert designed it and Charles-Auguste Fraikin sculpted it. It was inspired by the fountains of the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The fountain has two basins. Water flows from the upper bronze basin into the lower blue stone basin. It flows through twelve lion mouths.
Look closely at the allegorical statue. It represents the City of Brussels. Fraikin created it. She holds a laurel wreath and wears a reproduction of the Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula on her head. In 2024, after a restoration, the laurel wreath was mistakenly placed vertically instead of horizontally. This error was quickly corrected.
The current layout of Place Rouppe dates from 1884. Victor Jamaer designed it. The central square is surrounded by a cast-iron gate and rows of trees. It offers a space for pause amidst the city’s bustle.
Originally, the square was smaller. It was designed as a forecourt to the Bogaardenstation. The Zuidstraat formed the main axis from the square’s center. The Rouppestraat and Van Helmontstraat flanked it.
After the new South Station opened between 1864 and 1869, the Rouppe Square doubled in size. It connected to the Stalingradlaan. This avenue was built on the former railway bed.
The buildings around the northern half of the square have changed. The neoclassic buildings from the 1840s have been largely demolished or renovated. The southern half is better preserved with homogenous facades from the 1870s and 1880s.
Notice the narrow row houses with stucco decor and balconies. They feature cast-iron railings. These details reflect the architectural styles of the time. The Rouppe Fountain stands as a reminder of Brussels’ history. It links the past and present of Place Rouppe.