Deep in Uccle, lies the Rue du Merlo. It is a street with a history richer than its quiet appearance suggests. Today, we explore the secrets of Rue du Merlo also known as Merlostraat.
Rue du Merlo was once home to the Tervemolen. This was a watermill. The Neerstalle stream powered it. The stream runs alongside the Chaussée de Neerstalle. The Tervemolen stood near where Rue du Merlo is now. Imagine the sounds of the watermill.
The Tervemolen ground grain. It was a vital part of the community. Old maps show the mill. A map from 1858 places it opposite the Den Merloo brewery. Both the mill and the brewery were important landmarks.
The Tervemolen disappeared after 1858. The Neerstalle still flows nearby. Now Rue du Merlo is a quiet residential street. The past echoes softly here.
The name Merlo or Merlostraat connects to the past. “Merlo” may refer to the blackbird. Or it may connect to the Den Merloo brewery. The brewery was a local landmark.
Brussels street names often have stories. French and Dutch are both official languages here. Sometimes translations cause confusion. Rue du Merlo and Merlostraat are straightforward. Other streets have more complex histories.
Think of “Bruidstraat” and “Rue de la Fiancée.” The Dutch word “brui” means waste. Waste used to be dumped there. The French thought it meant “bride.” So they translated it as “Rue de la Fiancée”. Then it was mistranslated back to Dutch as “Bruidstraat.”
Rue du Merlo might not have such a funny story. It quietly remembers the Tervemolen. The watermill provided sustenance. It also provided work for people.
Today, Rue du Merlo is also home to modern businesses. A business address here is Rue du Merlo 19A.
Next time you walk along Rue du Merlo, remember the Tervemolen. Remember the Neerstalle stream. A watermill stood here. It played a vital role in Uccle’s history. Rue du Merlo holds those memories.