The Black Tower: A Medieval Relic in Brussels

The Black Tower, known in French as Tour Noire and in Dutch as Zwarte Toren, is a captivating vestige of medieval Brussels. Constructed in the early 13th century, it formed part of the city's initial fortifications, designed to protect against invasion. These original walls stretched approximately 4 kilometers around the medieval city. As Brussels expanded, a second set of walls was erected in the late 14th century, rendering the Black Tower's defensive function obsolete. Historians believe the tower then became private property, which explains its survival through the centuries. In the 16th century, it remarkably remained untouched during the creation of a new dock for the inland port, where the Church of St. Catherine now stands. For a time, the tower even served as a tavern called 'In the Tower'. In 1888, Mayor Charles Buls intervened to save the tower from demolition during a street sanitation project. Architect Victor Jamaer restored the structure, reconstructing the gable and roof. Today, a plaque commemorates its historical importance. Though you cannot enter the tower, it remains a striking landmark, surrounded by contemporary buildings, including a hotel, offering a unique contrast of medieval and modern Brussels. The Black Tower is also featured in a Nero comic book, adding a touch of local pop culture to its storied past.