Poelaert elevators

Journeying upwards? Then you’re at the Poelaert Elevators. These aren’t just any elevators. They are a gateway between two worlds, whisking you from the charming, historic Marolles district to the grand Place Poelaert above. The Poelaert Elevators, sometimes called the Elevators of the Marolles, opened in June 2002. They were designed by Patrice Neirinck of AVA Architects. The vision was to bridge the gap between the lower and upper town of Brussels. This idea isn’t new. In the 19th century, there were proposals for a funicular. But it took until the late 20th century for a modern solution to emerge. These two gleaming glass and steel cabins rise 27.7 meters. They are connected to Place Poelaert by a striking 35.5-meter metal walkway. Imagine being transported up, the city unfolding beneath you. You ascend at a speed of one meter per second, giving you ample time to soak in the panoramic views. The construction of the Poelaert Elevators was a feat of engineering. The walkway was prefabricated in Geel, then transported to Brussels by a special convoy. It arrived at the Palace of Justice on October 13, 2001, a spectacle in itself. The total cost was a hefty 78 million Belgian francs, roughly equivalent to €2 million today. While they are a popular tourist attraction, with about a million people using them annually, the elevators have had their share of technical difficulties. Weather conditions and vandalism have often been blamed. But, for all their quirks, the Poelaert Elevators remain a vital link. They connect the heart of old Brussels with the grandeur of the Palace of Justice above.