Place Sainte-Catherine

Welcome to Place Sainte-Catherine, a location that serves as a fascinating palimpsest of Brussels' urban history. As we stand in this wide, bustling square, it may be difficult to imagine that we are standing on what was once the…

Standing here at the northern end of the square, we are positioned directly over what used to be the main harbor basin. Until the late nineteenth century, this entire area was a network of canals. …

The Church of Saint Catherine, which dominates the southern end of the square, is an architectural marvel that warrants deep analysis. Completed in 1859, it replaced an older, much smaller medieval church that had become…

As we walk along the eastern edge of the square, we are in the heart of what many call the 'Seafood Quarter' of Brussels. This is not a tourist trap; it is a genuine culinary tradition that has survived the demise of the physical…

Hidden just behind the Church of Saint Catherine is one of the city's most surprising historical relics: the Tour Noire, or Black Tower. This structure is a rare remnant of the first city walls of Brussels, dating back to the…

If you are visiting during the winter months, Place Sainte-Catherine undergoes a magical transformation. It becomes the heart of 'Plaisirs d’Hiver' (Winter Wonders), the Brussels Christmas market. …

To the east of the square lies the Boulevard Anspach, a major artery that was created at the same time the docks were filled. This boulevard was built over the vaulted river Senne and was designed to be the 'Champs-Élysées' of…

As our exploration of Place Sainte-Catherine concludes, take a final look around this remarkable square. We have traveled from its origins as a muddy wharf on the river Senne, through its golden age as a bustling maritime port,…

Our scholarly journey through Place Sainte-Catherine has reached its end, but the echoes of its maritime past will surely follow you as you continue your exploration of Brussels. You have seen how a city can bury its river and…