Parcs & Gardens, Brussels

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The "Parc du Cinquantenaire" is a large forested public garden close to Europe area. It was the place of the national exhibition comemorating 50 years of independance, in 1880. Its most remarkable structure is the Triumphal arch, built in 1905, but the complex houses also three museums and a mosque.

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The Parc de Bruxelles has a lot of great art work in its many statues which I adored . It lacked a lot in flora and fuana but maybe perhaps I was a bit early in visiting here at Easter. The park has some nice wide walking paths with lots of seating where you can read a book or just watch the world go by. The little pond near one of the entrances was empty but it did look nice in my guide book obviously pictured in summer. After strolling around in the sunshine we stopped at the small cafe for a cold drink, the cafe is surrounded by mature trees so you can have some shade here too.

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The Lindekemale Mill dates back to 1129. Originally used as a grain mill it served as a paper mill in the late XIXth century. In the XXth century the mill activities were abandoned in favour of the production of snuff tobacco and endives. The main building was converted into a café.

Bought by the municipality in 1955 it was converted into a restaurant in 1970.

History and stories about the park may be heard during a guided tour organised by Nathalie van der Borght. She explains the origin of the name Josaphat and tells stories, legends or tales related to the park.

As a start, "Josaphat" was the name given to the park by a pilgrim of the XVIth century because of the similarity with a valley in Palestine.

5 EUR on specific days or 75 EUR for groups up to 25 people.

Visit Laeken Royal Greenhouses for its tropical species (orchids, palmtrees, fern species... ) and also superb azaleas...

Laeken Greenhouses are also worth the glance regarding architecture. Glass and iron used together to give Greenhouses their Art Nouveau style.

If you plan to visit (return to) Brussels from 22/04/2005 to 15/05/2005 (and each year at the same period!!), you can visit Royal greenhouses of Laeken. You can check pics here: http://jp.pinguet.free.fr/html/155.htm
This is the time to see Laeken Greenhouses as they are only open for visit once a year, at the same period... so ...

2005 opening hours:

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: 9h30 -16h00
Fridays: 13h00 - 16h00 & 20h00 - 23h00
Saturdays and Sundays: 09h30 - 16h00 & 20h00 - 23h00

Closed on Mondays

April 26: for handicaped and less valid persons only. Only on April 26 would be access for wheel-chairs and less valid persons. Those persons have to accompanied by 2 valid persons.

What makes it even more special are enchanting night sessions. Night sessions (Nocturnes) : from 8 to 11 p.m on fridays, saturdays and sundays.

NB: Picture was taken by and belongs to Thierry Willemsens (I have his permission to use it)

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The little park Place du Petit Sablon was opened in 1890. It is situated opposite the road from church Notre Dame du Sablon.
In the middle of the park is a statue showing the two earls Egmont and Hoorn who were both executed in 1568 on Grand Place after having joined the rebellion against king Philip II.
There are 10 statues in the park showing 16th century persons. 9 bushes of box represent the original 9 Belgian provinces.
Around the park there are 48 columns, all of them showing different craftsmen in typical clothes and with typical tools for their craft.

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Warande Park

It was during the Austrian period , in 1776, the Empress Maria Theresa signed the act established the park. This place (garenne = Warande) was abandoned after a fire of 1731. It was at that time a place for duels.

Nothing foreshadowed the stature of the place in the creation of modern Belgium.

Following the representation of the Muette de Portici at the Théâtre de la Monnaie, the audience revolt (it must be said that at the time, Belgium was dominated by Dutch and the Dutch had a lot of favours compared to Belgians) It is the beginning of the struggle for independence.

Today the park is peaceful and offers visitors a pleasant stroll along the straight walkways decorated with numerous statues.

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C'est durant la période Autrichienne, en 1776, que l'impératrice Marie Thérèse signe l'acte décidant la création du parc. Cet endroit (garenne= Warande) était laissé à l'abandon suite à l'incendie de 1731. C'était à l'époque un endroit privilégié pour les duels.

Rien ne laissait prévoir l'importance qu'aurait l'endroit dans la création de la Belgique moderne.

Suite à la représentation de la Muette de Portici au théâtre de la Monnaie, les spectateurs s'enflamment (il faut dire qu'à l'époque, la Belgique est sous domination Hollandaise et que la réglementation favorise les Hollandais par rapport aux Belges) C'est le début de la lutte pour l'indépendance.

Aujourd'hui le parc est bien paisible et offre au visiteur une agréable promenade le long des allées rectilignes agrémentées de nombreuses statues.

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Parc Leopold

Located close to the ultra modern European district, the Leopold Park is an oasis of green in the heart of Etterbeek. Little suggests that this place have a prestigious past.

Originally property of the family (noble) Eggevoort, it was sold in 1851 to the Royal Society of Zoology. Mismanagement in the handling of animals leads quickly to bankruptcy. The city of Brussels bought in 1876. The State ad a former convent converted into a museum of natural history on . In 1880 (50 years of independence) that the called Leopold (name of the 2 first kings of Belgium at the time)

In the early twentieth century, industrials (Solvay Warocquier) and bankers to create a science park. Is still witness today the dental laboratory analysis Warocquier, but for sure the prestigious Solvay Library (worth a visit!)

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Situé à deux pas du quartier Européen ultra moderne, le parc Léopold est une oasis de verdure au coeur d'Etterbeek. Peu laisse à penser que cet endroit est issu d'un passé prestigieux.

A l'origine propriété de la famille (de nobles) Eggevoort, il est vendu en 1851 à la Société royale de zoologie. Une mauvaise gestion dans l'entretien des animaux amène rapidement la faillite. La ville de Bruxelles rachète en 1876. L'état y adjoint l'ancien couvent et le transforme en musée d'histoire naturelle. C'est en 1880 (50 ans d'indépendance) qu'on le dénomme Léopold (nom des 2 premier rois de Belgique à l'époque)

Au début du Vingtième siècle, des industriels (Solvay, Warocquier) et des banquiers y créent un parc scientifique. En est encore témoin aujourd'hui le laboratoire d'analyse dentaire Warocquier, mais surtout la prestigieuse bibliothèque Solvay (vaut la visite !)

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