“Was it ever a vineyard?” That’s a question many ask about Rue de la Vignette-Kleine Wijngaardstraat. Standing here you might picture rolling hills of grapes. The truth however is more intriguing. The Rue de la Vignette-Kleine Wijngaardstraat in Auderghem a street split by modern progress holds a history richer than its name suggests.
Initially the area wasn’t a vineyard at all. Maps from 1771 show a wooded area thick with bushes and shrubs. The name’s origin remains debated. One theory points to a path called the “Chemin de l’Église” a plausible name considering Auderghem’s early ties to Watermael’s parish. Another suggests that the name comes from a group of three houses located near a lime kiln. An old path led to these houses. This path was named Weygaertsblokweg indicating a possible connection to “Weygaert” meaning vineyard. The word “blok” probably referred to the three-house cluster. Locals remember the area as Waagesblok suggesting a meadow.
The street’s story isn’t solely about its nomenclature. It was once a hub for Auderghem’s laundry industry. In 1931 twenty-two family-run businesses thrived here. Washers launderers and ironers worked hard. Their reputation was excellent among Brussels’ bourgeoisie. The laundry industry helped the town grow and prosper.
The Rue de la Vignette-Kleine Wijngaardstraat isn’t a continuous street. It was cut in two during the construction of the E411 highway and the Brussels metro. Travel between the east and west parts requires a considerable detour. This division prompted locals to call the highway overpass the “Berlin Wall” a stark reminder of the street’s fragmentation. The name Rue de la Vignette-Kleine Wijngaardstraat itself is a compromise. Initially named Wijngaardstraat it was changed to avoid duplication with other streets.
Rue de la Vignette-Kleine Wijngaardstraat reflects Auderghem’s transformation. From a wooded area to a laundry center to a street severed by modern infrastructure its history is complex. Its story is an unusual blend of nature industry and urban development. It’s a reminder that even a seemingly simple street holds within it layers of captivating history.