Was there ever a time when Brussels wasn’t enchanting? Today, we find ourselves in Princes Park, the city’s largest urban green space. It is also known as Royal Park sometimes. Its story is as captivating as its serene atmosphere.
Princes Park’s origins trace back to the gardens of the former Palace of Coudenberg. In medieval times, dukes of Brabant used these grounds as their hunting domain. The area was divided into two parts. There was a big park named Warande and a small park in the Koperbeek valley. The Warande extended far north to the Rue de Louvain. It went south to the ramparts at the Namur Gate. The smaller park featured private ornamental gardens, sometimes leafy, sometimes labyrinthine.
Imagine the splendor Governor-General Maria Elisabeth of Austria witnessed. The Warande Park was among Europe’s most beautiful. It boasted water basins, fountains and imitation rock caves. Numerous statues adorned the landscape.
However, disaster struck when the Palace burned down in 1731. The area fell into neglect. Later, in 1769, a statue was planned to honor Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine. This sparked a proposal to redesign the park and the square in front of the palace ruins.
Empress Maria Theresa approved the plan in 1775. She stipulated that Brussels would bear the costs. The city leveled the ground for the park and adjacent roads. The government oversaw the park’s development.
Between 1776 and 1783, architect Gilles-Barnabé Guimard and landscape architect Joachim Zinner reshaped the park in neoclassical style. This marked a clean break from the past. Over 1,200 trees were felled to create new paths. Almost 3,300 new trees were planted. This was Brussels’ first major urban planning project.
Princes Park has witnessed numerous historical events. In 1793, French Revolutionaries destroyed sculptures. They overthrew busts of Roman emperors. Brussels repaired the damage. The city repopulated the park with statues and busts. In 1830, during the Belgian Revolution, the park served as refuge for the army of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Since the 19th century, double rows of lime trees have emphasized the park’s perspectives. The Academy Palace and Royal Palace altered its western flank in the 1820s. Neoclassical railings were installed in 1849.
In the 20th century, many buildings around the park were rebuilt. In the 1930s, Art Deco lampposts were added. A bunker was built underneath the park. It was connected by tunnels to the House of Parliament. In the 1960s, an entrance was built for the Parc metro station. The park was classified as a protected site in 1972. It was renovated between 2000 and 2002.
Today, Princes Park is home to several buildings and monuments. The Royal Park Theatre stands at the park’s northern end. The Vauxhall of Brussels, a meeting and concert venue, is behind the theater. The park also features bandstands and water basins.
With around sixty sculptures, primarily inspired by Greco-Roman mythology, Princes Park offers a serene escape. The park’s central path is lined with plane trees. Other paths feature chestnut trees and various high-stemmed trees. All around, double rows of trellised lime trees enhance the park’s elaborate appearance.
As you stroll through Princes Park, remember its rich history. Envision dukes hunting, revolutionaries clashing and architects reshaping the landscape. This park is more than just a green space. It is a living testament to Brussels’ vibrant past.