Walks - A Stroll through the Marolles
City centre
Rue Haute, the main street running through the Marolles, is one of the oldest roads in Brussels. Numerous monastic orders settled alongside this link between the first and second city walls. Traditionally a district for ‘insalubrious’ professions such as tanning and woolworking, the Marolles became a densely populated working-class neighbourhood in the 19th century. It could tell many a tale of poverty, but also of solidarity and social struggle.
The protest in 1965 against the expansion plans for the Palais de Justice laid the foundations for engaged community work that promoted urban renewal and improvements to streets and squares. Over the last few years, the district has also become increasingly trendy.
Our Bruksel tour A Stroll Through the Marolles considers poverty and the city’s response to it: social housing and investment in a strong social fabric. We explore not only fashionable Rue Haute and the flea market on the Place du Jeu de Balle, but also lesser-known neighbourhoods such as the Kleine Marol, Querelles and Radis.
And also ...
Combining this itinerary with the Sablon creates a powerful contrast.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Departure: the steps of the Palais de Justice on Place Poelaert. Chapel Church or Porte de Hal are other possibilities.
Finish: preferably Chapel Church