This anonymous painting, produced in the same year as the events, bears witness to the full scale of the horror. While the bombardment of Brussels by French troops in August 1695 caused surprisingly few human casualties (the population having had time to flee to the east), the material damage was considerable: between 4,000 and 5,000 buildings went up in smoke.
Summer 1695: the war rages on
The war of the League of Augsburg, which had begun in 1688, pitted the French monarchy against a vast European coalition, known as the “League of Augsburg”, which included the seven United Provinces of the Netherlands. In July 1695, William III of England – head of the coalition and sovereign of Brussels – recaptured Namur from the French, who had occupied the city for three years. This setback aroused the anger of the French camp.
One of the worst disasters in Brussels history
Furious, Louis XIV ordered Marshal de Villeroy, in charge of the French campaign in Flanders, to bomb Bruges and Ghent. But to strike a more spectacular blow – and divert the enemy from Namur – Villeroy finally chose another target: Brussels. On August 11, 1695, French troops took up position on the heights west of the city. They were armed with 12 cannons, 25 mortars, 4,000 cannonballs, 5,000 incendiary bombs, 1,500 wagons and… 70,000 soldiers. Poorly fortified and unprepared for an attack of this magnitude, the capital of Brussels could do nothing but suffer. The bombardment began on August 13, at 7 p.m. sharp.
One third of the city destroyed
In the face of disaster, the inhabitants took refuge in the upper part of the city, east of the Senne valley (today’s Mont des Arts and the Parc Royal). From there, they watched helplessly as the heart of Brussels went up in flames. Between 4,000 and 5,000 buildings were destroyed, including the famous Grand-Place. The next day, the scene was apocalyptic: a third of the city had disappeared. In addition to the destruction of homes, many monuments, works of art and elements of Belgian heritage were lost forever. Losses are estimated at over 50 million florins (around 22 million euros today) – a sum unimaginable at the time. The disaster sends shockwaves of indignation throughout Europe.
After the tragedy, the rebirth
Against all expectations, the city center was rebuilt in barely five years, at an exemplary pace. This renaissance was driven by rigorous management of funds, a determination to revive the economy, prevent the exodus of residents and improve public spaces. Brussels has risen from the ashes, even more harmonious and majestic than before.
On your next visit to the Grand-Place, look up at the House of the She-Wolf (number 5). On its roof, a phoenix rises from the flames, symbolizing the city’s resurrection… The Latin inscription reads: “combusta insignior resurrexi […]” – “Having been consumed, I rose even brighter […]”.