Place des Martyrs, Brussels

Place des Martyrs (in French)
Martelaarsplein (in Dutch)

The Place des Martyrs/Martelaarsplein in Brussels
Location within Brussels
Location	City of Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium
Quarter	Marais–Jacqmain Quarter
Coordinates	50°51′05″N 04°21′22″E / 50.85139°N 4.35611°E / 50.85139; 4.35611Coordinates: 50°51′05″N 04°21′22″E / 50.85139°N 4.35611°E / 50.85139; 4.35611
Construction
Completion	c. 1778

The Place des Martyrs (Dutch: Martelaarsplein) is a square in central Brussels, Belgium. Its current name, meaning "Martyrs' Square", refers to the martyrs of the September days of the Belgian Revolution of 1830.

Originally, the square was called the Place Saint-Michel/Sint-Michielsplein after Saint Michael, patron saint of the City of Brussels. It was laid out in a uniform neoclassical style between 1774 and 1778, based on the designs of the architect Claude Fisco. Over 400 heroes of the Belgian Revolution of 1830 lie buried in a crypt beneath the cobblestones. Many lie not far from where they were shot, in fierce battles amid the Brussels streets and barricades. Today, the square is home to cabinet offices of the Flemish Government, including those of the Flemish Minister-President, as well as a theatre; the Théâtre des Martyrs.^[1]

The Place des Martyrs is located near the Rue Neuve/Nieuwstraat, Belgium's second busiest shopping street.^[2][3] It is served by the metro and premetro (underground tram) station De Brouckère on lines 1, 3, 4 and 5.

History[]

Early history[]

The square was built on what was originally Den Blijck, a bleachfield for washed textiles. In 1773, the City of Brussels, which had acquired this plot of land, commissioned the architect Claude Fisco, controller of the works of the city, to lay out in its place a new neoclassical square. It was named the Place Saint-Michel/Sint-Michielsplein ("Saint Michael's Square"), after Saint Michael, the city's patron saint. The works, which also involved digging several arteries, lasted from 1774 until 1776. In 1795, under the French regime, street and place names with any sort of religious connotation were changed, and the square was temporarily renamed the Place de la Blanchisserie/Blekerijplein ("Laundry Square").

The Place Saint-Michel/Sint-Michielsplein, aquarelled engraving by Ambroise Orio after a drawing by Bernard Ridderbosch (1783)

The layout of the square was modified several times over the centuries. Originally, it was a paved and "empty" square, as seen in engravings from the late 18th century. In 1802, linden trees were planted in its centre. In 1830, after the first victims of the Belgian Revolution had been buried there, the provisional government decided, in 1831, to turn the square into a national commemoration place for the victims of the Revolution. The Monument to the Martyrs of the 1830 Revolution, also known as the Pro Patria monument, was erected in 1836–1838. Carved by the court sculptor of King Leopold I, Guillaume Geefs, it includes a statue and crypt.^[4]

The construction of the Martyrs' Monument led to a radical alteration of the square and its name was changed definitively to the Place des Martyrs/Martelaarsplein ("Martyrs' Square"). In 1839, the addition of gardens on both sides of the Monument changed the square's appearance once again, as did the installation of fountains, which were replaced by pools in 1841.

Political demonstrations were occasionally held in the square. On 23 September 1884, 3000 socialists disrupted a national commemoration by singing The Marseillaise and The Carmagnole. The leaders Jean Volders and Louis Bertrand were arrested.^[5] During the First World War, traditional celebrations were banned, but the population spontaneously gathered on the Place des Martyrs to openly protest against the German occupation.

Contemporary (1945–present)[]

The cabinet offices of the Flemish Minister-President on the Place des Martyrs

The Place des Martyrs, including the facades and roofs of the buildings, as well as the Pro Patria monument, were designated a historic site on 10 June 1963.^[6] In 1979–80, the square was partially restored to its original appearance and was repaved.

In recent years, several cabinet offices of the Flemish Government, including those of the Flemish Minister-President set up residence on the Place des Martyrs. In 1998, a theatre; the Théâtre des Martyrs, was inaugurated.^[1] Today, the square is also home to two bookshops, a youth hostel and a 5-star hotel in the buildings at the corner of Rue Saint-Michel/Sint-Michielsstraat. There is also a masonic temple nearby on Rue du Persil/Peterseliestraat.^[7]

Monuments[]

Several commemorative monuments are located on the Place des Martyrs:

• the Monument to the Martyrs of the 1830 Revolution or Pro Patria monument, commemorating the victims of the Belgian Revolution, by Guillaume Geefs and Louis Roelandt (1836–1838)^[4]
• the Monument to Jenneval, honouring Alexandre Dechet (commonly known as Jenneval), the author of the text of The Brabançonne; Belgium's national anthem, by Alfred Crick and Émile Anciaux (1897)^[8]
• the Monument to Count Frederic of Merode, in Art Nouveau style, dedicated to , by Paul Du Bois and Henry Van de Velde (1898)^[9]

• 

   [fr] by Guillaume Geefs (1836–1838)

• 

  Monument to Jenneval by Alfred Crick and Émile Anciaux (1897)

• 

  Effigy of Jenneval

• 

  Monument to by Paul Du Bois and Henry Van de Velde (1898)

• 

  Bronze medallion bearing the image of Frederic of Merode

See also[]

• Place Royale, Brussels

References[]

External links[]

Media related to Place des Martyrs/Martelaarsplein at Wikimedia Commons

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