The Mont des Arts

At the end of the nineteenth century, the Montagne de la Cour (“Mount of the Court”), a neighbourhood in the medieval centre of Brussels, had to make way for an ambitious urban project. A Mont des Arts (“Mount of Arts”) was to be constructed here, a place where the young Belgian nation could showcase its economic, cultural and scientific achievements. The demolition of the district, with its narrow alleys and rich mansions, went smoothly. The reconstruction, however, took almost half a century to start. Only after World War II, the works began, and another twenty years went by before they were completed.

Today, the Mont des Arts has lived up to its original ambitions. The site includes the Royal Library, the general state archives, numerous museums and an international convention centre. Urban.brussels also has its headquarters there, of course, and has devoted the 62nd issue in the series Brussels, City of Art and History to it.

Read the entire issue online (Pdf)