The Black Tower is one of the last remaining vestiges of the first city walls of Brussels, a series of fortifications built in the early 13th century. At the time, Brussels was a burgeoning medieval city, and these walls were essential for its defense against invaders and for controlling trade. The original walls stretched for approximately four kilometers, encircling the core of the city, including the area around the Grand-Place and the island of Saint-Géry.
The tower itself was constructed around the year 1200 as a part of this initial defensive ring. Its purpose was to serve as a guard post and a lookout, providing protection for the city’s inhabitants and its developing commerce. While many other sections of the wall and its towers were demolished over time, the Black Tower managed to survive, a feat attributed to its transition from a military structure to private property. This change in ownership likely saved it from the fate of its counterparts, which were systematically torn down to make way for new urban development.
From Tavern to Historical Monument
The Black Tower’s survival through the centuries is a fascinating story of adaptation. By the end of the 14th century, the first city walls had become obsolete due to the construction of a second, larger set of fortifications. The area around the tower underwent significant transformation, especially in the 16th century when a new inland port was established near the site of the present-day Church of St. Catherine. Miraculously, the Black Tower was spared, and it was repurposed for civilian use, famously becoming a tavern known as “In the Tower.” This transformation integrated it into the social fabric of the city, allowing it to remain a functional part of the neighborhood.
By the late 19th century, Brussels was undergoing major redevelopment projects, and the area around the tower was slated for demolition. However, thanks to the intervention of the then-mayor, Charles Buls, the tower was saved from destruction. Architect Victor Jamaer was tasked with its restoration, which involved reconstructing its roof and gable, ensuring its preservation for future generations. It was during this period that the tower became a surrounded by a clothing store, further cementing its peculiar place within the city’s commercial life.
The Black Tower Today
On February 1, 1937, the Black Tower was officially classified as a historical monument, securing its status as a protected heritage site. Today, it stands as a unique architectural oddity, almost swallowed by a modern hotel that was built around it. This dramatic juxtaposition of the medieval and the contemporary is one of the tower’s most compelling features, a visual metaphor for Brussels’ continuous evolution.
While the interior of the Black Tower is not open to the public, its presence in the heart of the city is a powerful educational tool. A plaque near the site reminds passersby of its historical importance, and it has become a point of interest for both history buffs and casual tourists. The Black Tower is also featured in Belgian popular culture, most notably in the comic book series “The Adventures of Nero,” which has led to a special walking route that guides visitors to locations significant in the comic’s stories.
Visit Black Tower through World City Trail
The Black Tower is more than just a piece of old stone; it is a symbol of resilience, a relic that survived centuries of change. It offers a unique window into the past, allowing visitors to imagine the Brussels of the 13th century and appreciate how the city has grown and reinvented itself while holding on to fragments of its deep, layered history.
Brussels Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour
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