Square of Petit Sablon, Brussels Travel Guide

The Square of Petit Sablon (Place du Petit Sablon in French, Kleine Zavel in Dutch) is a hidden gem in the heart of Brussels, offering a peaceful retreat from the bustling city. This small, rectangular garden, located near the Church of Our Lady of the Sablon, is a testament to the city's rich history and artistic heritage.Originally, the site was a cemetery dependent on Saint John Hospital from 1289 to 1706. In the 1880s, Mayor Charles Buls decided to transform the space into an attractive garden, designed by architect Henri Beyaert and inaugurated in 1890. The garden's symmetrical layout and neo-Renaissance style create a serene and elegant atmosphere.The square is enclosed by a superb wrought-iron balustrade, inspired by one that once decorated the Coudenberg Palace. The balustrade is punctuated by 48 Gothic columns, each topped with a unique bronze statuette representing a medieval guild or profession. These detailed sculptures offer a glimpse into the city's past, depicting trades such as stone-cutters, linen croppers, and tallow makers.At the heart of the garden stands a monumental fountain featuring statues of Counts Egmont and Hornes, who were executed in 1568 for their resistance to Spanish tyranny. The monument, created by Ch. A. Fraikin in 1864, was initially erected on the Grand Place before being moved to Petit Sablon in 1879. Ten marble statues of notable 16th-century figures surround the fountain, each housed in a niche of climbing ivy.The garden's plant ornamentation also carries symbolic meaning, with nine clumps of trimmed boxwood representing the nine Belgian provinces of the time. The Square of Petit Sablon provides a tranquil escape and a chance to reflect on Brussels' history and artistry.