The Black Tower stands proudly, one of the best-preserved remains of Brussels’ first city walls, built in the early 13th century. Nestled behind St. Catherine’s Church, it bears grand witness to the city’s medieval past.
Galerie photos
EmDee, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
History
The Black Tower, an enduring witness to Brussels’ medieval past, has undergone a fascinating evolution over the centuries. It probably became private property when the second city wall was built at the end of the 14th century, and miraculously survived the demolition of the first wall behind St. Catherine’s Church in 1564, when new harbor basins were constructed.
Converted into a tavern in the 16th century under the name “In de Toren,” it was saved from destruction in 1888 thanks to the initiative of Mayor Charles Buls, a fervent defender of Brussels’ heritage. Restored by architect Victor Jamaer, the tower has regained its former glor
History of Brussels’ first city walls
Brussels’ first city walls, built in the early 13th century, reveal their secrets thanks to ancient documents and preserved remains. Four kilometers long, it surrounded the Île Saint-Géry and the Treurenberg hills, home to the city’s first urban and religious structures. Built with solid materials, it featured defense towers, access gates, and a floodable moat, making it an imposing fortification.
Records dating back to the 13th century mention the existence of this wall, whose layout is still debated by historians. Later, the city expanded beyond these walls, leading to the construction of a second wall.
y, adorned with a stepped gable and a conical roof.
