Place des Martyrs, Brussels

In 1773, the City of Brussels, which had acquired the plot of a former laundry, commissioned the architect Claude Fisco, controller of the works of the city, to build a new neoclassical square, called the Place Saint-Michel/Sint-Michielsplein ("Saint Michael's Square"). The works, which also involved digging several arteries, lasted from 1774 to 1776. In 1795, under the French regime, street and place names with any sort of religious connotation were changed, and the square was temporarily renamed the Place de la Blanchisserie/Blekerijplein ("Laundry Square").

The layout of the square was modified several times over the centuries. Originally, it was a paved and "empty" square, as seen in engravings from the late 18th century. In 1802, linden trees were planted. In 1830, after the first victims of the Belgian Revolution had been buried there, the provisional government decided, in 1831, to turn the square into a national commemoration place for the victims of the Revolution. The Monument to the Martyrs of the 1830 Revolution, also known as the Pro Patria monument, was erected in 1836–38. Carved by the court sculptor of King Leopold I, Guillaume Geefs, it includes a statue and crypt.[3]

Monument to the Martyrs of the 1830 Revolution by Guillaume Geefs (1836–38)

The construction of the Martyrs' Monument led to a radical alteration of the square and its name was changed definitively to the Place des Martyrs/Martelarenplein ("Martyrs' Square"). In 1839, the addition of gardens on both sides of the Monument changed the square's appearance once again, then in 1841, the installation of fountains, which were replaced by pools in 1841.

Martyrs' Square, including the facades and roofs of the buildings, as well as the Martyrs' Monument, were designated a historic monument on 10 June 1963.[4] In 1979–80, the square was partially restored to its original appearance and was repaved.