The Brussels Metro is much more than just a means of transportation.
Each of its stations is a subtle tribute to significant chapters in local, national, and even European history. Let’s dive into these sometimes little-known stories that punctuate our daily commutes, and discover together the history behind the names of our metro stations!
Names that span the centuries
In Brussels, metro stations aren’t just geographical landmarks—they’re also witnesses to the past. Behind names like Rogier, Horta, and Schuman lie major historical figures: politicians, architects, and the founding fathers of Europe. These names serve as a reminder of the capital’s rich and complex history, from its political developments to its artistic achievements.
Pannenhuis, the station that looks like a forgotten inn
The Pannenhuis station perfectly illustrates this link between past and present. Its name comes from the Old Pannen-Huis, a 17th-century inn located in the Esseghem neighborhood. This place welcomed such illustrious figures as Napoleon and Leopold I, and served as a meeting place for members of the Faux Soir resistance group during World War II. Today, the station preserves the memory of that bygone era, rooted beneath the modern city.
A network that brings urban memory to life
In addition to these figures, the Brussels metro pays tribute to iconic landmarks —such as the Porte de Hal, the Bourse, or the Parc—or to key moments in local history. Each name is an invitation to (re)discover Brussels through its stories, its evolution, and its heritage. Taking the metro, then, is also like strolling through the heart of a veritable underground museum, where past and present meet at every stop.
Here is a more comprehensive list of stations with historical names and their origins:
- King Baudouin: The station was renamed in 1998 in memory of the Belgian monarch, following his death.
- Pannenhuis: The name of a historic 17th-century inn, the site of significant events.
- Rogier: Named in honor of Charles Rogier, a key political figure in Belgium’s independence.
- Schuman: Named after Robert Schuman, one of the founding fathers of the European Union.
- Horta: A station named in honor of Victor Horta, the master of BelgianArt Nouveau.
- Montgomery: Named in honor of British General Bernard Montgomery, who liberated Brussels during World War II.
- Louise: A station named in honor of Queen Louise-Marie, the first Queen of the Belgians.
- Anneessens: In memory of François Anneessens, a mayor who defended Brussels’ freedoms in the 18th century.
- Porte de Hal: Named after Brussels’ famous medieval fortified gate. It was one of the seven gates in Brussels’ second city wall, built in the 14th century.
- Alma & Delta — Two neighboring stations symbolizing the duality of two Belgian universities, one Catholic (UCLouvain) and the other secular (ULB). The name “Delta” could also refer to the Masonic triangle and the origins of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB). As for “Alma” for UCLouvain, it is a simplification of the Latin term “Alma Mater, ” which refers to the university as a place of social interaction and services.
- Eddy Merckx — A station uniquely named in honor of a living athlete, the famous Belgian cyclist!
