Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Brussels launched a 6-year plan to restore 12 fountains by 2027, starting with the Naiaden Fountain. Other sites include Beurs, Maalbeek, Anspach basins, and Oude Graanmarkt. Alderman Frelinx, officials confirmed.
As VRT News reported, Brussels has launched a major plan to restore and maintain its fountains. The program will run for 6 years and has been approved by the Municipal Executive. The first phase will take place over the next 3 years. It focuses on fountains that are in urgent need of work because of damage or cultural importance. By 2027, about 12 fountains will be repaired.
What is Brussels’ six-year plan to restore 12 fountains by 2027?
Work on the first fountain in Brussels’ restoration plan will start this year. The Naiaden Fountain, located at the bottom of the Ravensteinstraat stairs, has been chosen as the first site. It will receive a full technical renovation to renew its water circulation and pumping systems.
Several other fountains are also included in the next phase of the program. The Beurs Fountain near the Stock Exchange and the Continental Fountain will follow after the Naiaden works. The Maalbeek Fountain and the Auguste Orts Fountain are also on the list.
Larger projects will focus on the Anspach basins, which form part of the central boulevards, and the fountain at Oude Graanmarkt, a well-known meeting place. City officials said the program is not limited to technical repairs but is part of a wider plan to protect and highlight Brussels’ heritage.
“Preserving our fountains means preserving part of Brussels’ identity. It also reminds us that our heritage must not be frozen, but must live on daily, in the heart of the city and at the service of its inhabitants,”
Frelinx added.
Brussels has a long history of public fountains linked to its urban development. Many were built in the 19th century during the redesign of squares and boulevards. The Maalbeek Fountain was completed in 1872, followed by the Auguste Orts Fountain in 1898. The Continental Fountain was added in the early 20th century.
The Naiaden Fountain on Ravensteinstraat was installed in 1956. In the 1970s, the Anspach basins were constructed as part of the redevelopment of the city centre. The Oude Graanmarkt Fountain was placed in 1980 and became a central feature of the square.
