Place du Jeu de Balle

Place du Jeu de Balle (French)
Vossenplein (Dutch)
End of a market on the Place du Jeu de Balle. Church of the Immaculate Conception in the background.
Location Brussels, Belgium
Quarter Marolles/Marollen
Coordinates 50°50′13″N 04°20′44″E / 50.83694°N 4.34556°E / 50.83694; 4.34556Coordinates: 50°50′13″N 04°20′44″E / 50.83694°N 4.34556°E / 50.83694; 4.34556
Construction
Completion c. 1853

The Place du Jeu de Balle (French) or Vossenplein (Dutch) is a square located in the heart of the Marolles/Marollen district of Brussels. It holds a famous flea market.[1]

History

The square was laid out in 1853. As its name indicates, it was originally destined for the practice of the ball game Jeu de balle or Balle pelote, which was very popular in Brussels in the 19th century.[1] Its current Dutch name, Vossenplein, recalls that it was built on the site of a locomotive factory, "The Fox Company" ("vos" means "fox" in Dutch).

In 1873, the municipal council decided to transfer the Old Market, which occupied until then the Place Anneessens, to the Place du Jeu de Balle.[1]

Notable buildings

  • The Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception is a Neo-Romanesque building, built from 1854 to 1862, which was once part of the Capuchin convent.
  • The former fire station of the Brussels Fire Department was built between 1859–1860 by the architect Joseph Poelaert, in eclectic style. Decommissioned in 1982 during the relocation of the fire brigade staff to Avenue de l'Héliport/Helihavenlaan, the former barracks now houses apartments, art galleries, and shops, while its former portico entrance has been refurbished into a café.

Events and folklore

  • The flea market takes place every day of the week from 6am to 2pm and weekends from 6am to 3pm.
  • Every year, on 20th July, the eve of Belgian National Day, the National Ball is held there.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Flea market on the Jeu de Balle Square". visit.brussels. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
  2. ↑ "21 July: Belgium's National Day!". Retrieved 2018-09-15.
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