monument

Monument aux Morts au square des Héros

by Vincent
written by Vincent

The monument to the fallen heroes of World War I was erected at square des Héros by the Municipality of Uccle (one of the 19 that compose the Brussels-Capital Region). Famous artist and sculptor Léandre Grandmoulin was given the task to erect a sculpture that would show honor and gratitude to the soldiers who paid the ultimate price. The base of the monuments reads “A La mémoire de nos enfants morts pour la patrie”, English for “To the memory of the children who died for our country” and is followed by the names of all Uccle’s soldiers that died between 1914-1918.

Location of Monument aux Morts square des Héros:


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Photos Monument aux Morts square des Héros:

Pictures of the city of Brussels, Belgium

Pictures of the city of Brussels, Belgium
Pictures of the city of Brussels, Belgium
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Architecture

Hotel Ravenstein

by Vincent
written by Vincent

The Former de Cleves-Ravenstein Mansion also commonly known as Hotel Ravenstein is the last standing example of the aristocratic mansions built between the end of the XV century and the beginning of the XVI century. This brick and sandstone building of late Brabant Gothic style was originally part of a vast building complex, divided and partially demolished over the centuries. This mansion, restored and transformed several times, is articulated around a main courtyard. The interior still holds pieces of furniture from the XVI and the XVIII century.

Location of Hotel Ravenstein:


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Pictures of hotel Ravenstein:

The old door leading to the courtyard of this classified building

Details of the old Sundial

Today, the building hosts a restaurant and well as adjacent offices of the federation of Belgian Engineers.

A view of the Mansion in its entirety which is the last standing in Brussels of the 15th century Burgundian period.

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subway

Notre Temps Mural at Hankar Metro station

by Vincent
written by Vincent

The wildly colorful “Notre Temps” fresco was painted on the ceilings and walls of the Hankar STIB Metro station by Roger Somville, leader of the Belgian Expressionists Movement. The mural uses a lot of bright and strident colors in shades of orange and red to represent the struggles of the working class to attain social and economic  justice. Somville completed this monumental mural in 1976 with the help of four of his assistants.

Location of Hankar Metro station:


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Photos of Notre Temps Mural:

Left side

Right side

Details of the left side

Right side detail

Front view

Details of the front

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Art Nouveau

Maison Cauchie

by Vincent
written by Vincent

La Maison Cauchie (The Cauchie House in English or Het Cauchiehuis in Nederlands) was built by architect, painter and decorator Paul Cauchie in 1905 to be his personal residence. The amazing facade is completely decorated with sgraffito and is considered to be one of the best examples of Brussels’ Art Nouveau. The Cauchie House is opened to the public every first week-end of the month from 10AM to 1PM and 2PM to 5PM where visitors can discover the interior where both the first floor and mezzanine feature some astonishing example of allegorical graffito. A gallery area which is also accessible displays a variety of paintings and furnishings made by Paul Cauchie and his wife Caroline Voet.

Location of the Cauchie House:


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Photos of Maison Cauchie:

The Facade

Pictures of the city of Brussels, Belgium

The House was also Workshop where both Paul and his wife worked

The colored figures around the circular window depict the eight artistic disciplines and reveal the influence of the pre-Raphaelites.

Pictures of the city of Brussels, Belgium

First floor balcony detail

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bars and cafés

La Chaloupe d’or

by Vincent
written by Vincent

La Chaloupe d’Or (Den Gulden Boot in Dutch) is a popular café restaurant located right in the heart of Brussels at it’s famous Grand place. Since medieval times and until the 14th Century here stood the guildhall of the tailors association. Remnants of that era like the statue of Saint Homobonus, patron saint of business people and tailors can still be seen on top of it’s facade. The building that stands today was rebuilt in 1697 after the 1695 bombardement of Brussels ordered by Lois XIV.

Location of La Chaloupe d’Or:


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Photos La Chaloupe d’or:

The bust of Saint Barabara overlooking the pub and it’s terrace is from 1872

Entering the Pub

Cozy fireplace in the corner warms you up on those cold winter days

Making my way up the stairs

A few pictures of the room of the first floor

Well worth trying off their menu are their specialties:  The Liegeoise (potatoes, beans and bacon bits) or American salad (steak tartar).

The seats in the back will give you one of the best view of the Grand Place

Place looks empty and deserted as it was just about to open to the public

Back downstairs view from the back

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