Nestled east of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Armand Steurs Square stands out as one of the capital’s best-kept secrets. A true masterpiece of the interwar period, this landscape and architectural gem reveals its Art Deco elegance through its slopes and terraced lawns. The journey begins withthe site’s history, marked by the arched structure of a former railroad line and the efforts of a visionary mayor to bringdrinking water to Brussels. Here, visitors discover a rare heritage, featuring oriental fountains and listed monuments. Next comes a leisurely stroll through the greenery: a sanctuary of remarkable trees that comes alive each fall with an open-air exhibition.
A masterpiece from the interwar period: the monumental legacy of Armand Steurs
Before becoming this haven of peace, inaugurated in 1932, the site was nothing more than a wasteland crisscrossed by an open-air railroad track. Known as Place des Milices, the area served as a drill ground for the civic guard. Everything changed in 1930 when the municipality commissioned architect Eugène Dhuicque to design a park. He envisioned a subtle interplay of slopes, staircases, and terraced lawns in the purest Art Deco style.
The space is designed as a tribute to Armand Steurs, the mayor who broughtdrinking water from the Bocq River to the suburbs in 1899. Below, the La Source fountain features a gilded bronze Venus resting on a pedestal adorned with water-spouting goats. Not far away stands the imposing monument in small granite, *Les Carriers*, by Guillaume Charlier. On the northern edge, the Steurs Memorial honors the benefactor, while at the highest point,the Centennial of Independence Tree is surrounded by a blue stone exedra with colonnades inspired by ancient architecture.
Monumental trees and open-air galleries: the green lung of Saint-Josse
Designed by landscape architect Jules-Gustave Janlet, the greenery of Armand Steurs Square is a living work of art. The flower beds have been meticulously selected to ensure continuous blooming, with colors changing throughout the seasons. A true botanical sanctuary, this park—covering about 1 hectare —is home to a dozen specimens officially recognized as remarkable trees by the Brussels Region. As visitors stroll along its paths, they encounter majestic exotic giants: acacias at the entrance, American honey locusts, reddish catalpas, and even a red-flowered chestnut tree.
This lush and secluded setting, protected by its designation as a historic site in 1993, comes alive every September with a unique buzz of activity. Thanks to an initiative bythe nonprofit “Les Amis du square,” the lawns are transformed into a vast open-air art gallery. During TheArtSquare exhibition, monumental sculptures by Belgian and international artists find their place among the foliage. This poetic dialogue between contemporary art and centuries-old nature makes it an unmissable secret destination at the end of summer.
