Urban Archeology Days Urban Archeology Days

  • 13/06/2025 —  15/06/2025

    Explore archaeological sites...

  • Guided walk alongside some of the facades of the Unesco Grand-Place district

    rue des Éperonniers - Spoormakersstraat 61, 1000 Brussels

    This walk around the Grand-Place - a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998 - is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of the destruction of the district after the bombardment in 1695 by…

    This walk around the Grand-Place - a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998 - is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of the destruction of the district after the bombardment in 1695 by the troops of the French king Louis XIV. The reconstruction that followed is remarkable in more ways than one: for its speed, its architectural unity in the Baroque style, and the types of building materials used (reused, local, imported). The…

    This walk around the Grand-Place - a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998 - is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of the destruction of the district after the bombardment in 1695 by the troops of the French king Louis XIV. The reconstruction that followed is remarkable in more ways than one: for its speed, its architectural unity in the Baroque style, and the types of building materials used (reused, local, imported). The tour includes a series of stops in front of some of the houses studied by archaeologists. This research provides an insight into the wealth of architectural solutions adopted by homeowners at the end of the 17th century to rebuild their homes behind an often imposing…

  • Become an archaeologist at les Halles Saint-Géry!

    Halles Saint-Géry - Sint-Gorikshallen, place Saint-Géry - Sint-Goriksplein 1, 1000 Bruxelles

    Have you always dreamed of becoming an archaeologist? At les Halles Saint-Géry, that passion is becoming a reality! Come behind the scenes of this fascinating profession with an immersive and interactive experience. Learn how to…

    Have you always dreamed of becoming an archaeologist? At les Halles Saint-Géry, that passion is becoming a reality! Come behind the scenes of this fascinating profession with an immersive and interactive experience. Learn how to analyse human skeletons, distinguish animal bones, look at ancient seeds under the microscope, handle potsherds and other artefacts... Like a real scientist, you'll be guided through the identification of clues revealing ancient periods. Everything is designed to familiarise you with…

    Have you always dreamed of becoming an archaeologist? At les Halles Saint-Géry, that passion is becoming a reality! Come behind the scenes of this fascinating profession with an immersive and interactive experience. Learn how to analyse human skeletons, distinguish animal bones, look at ancient seeds under the microscope, handle potsherds and other artefacts... Like a real scientist, you'll be guided through the identification of clues revealing ancient periods. Everything is designed to familiarise you with the laboratory work of archaeologists. It's a fun activity open to everyone, young and old. Ready to investigate the mysteries of the past? Collaboration urban.brussels – Institute for Natural Sciences - Halles Saint-Géry   Practical information Date : Sunday 15 June, 10.00-17.00 Address: Halles Saint-Géry,…

  • Archaeological walk in the footsteps of the Senne

    STIB/MIVB Entrance Lemmonier (intersection Boulevard Lemmonier/Boulevard du Midi)

    This walk takes you in the footsteps of the Zenne within the Pentagon, past the recent archaeological excavations by urban.brussels, as well as older discoveries. The river may have disappeared from the urban landscape after…

    This walk takes you in the footsteps of the Zenne within the Pentagon, past the recent archaeological excavations by urban.brussels, as well as older discoveries. The river may have disappeared from the urban landscape after its vaulting in the second half of the 19th century, but it has left a lasting mark on the city centre. Witnessing a time when only mammoths and other prehistoric animals inhabited the valley, it would later become inextricably linked…

    This walk takes you in the footsteps of the Zenne within the Pentagon, past the recent archaeological excavations by urban.brussels, as well as older discoveries. The river may have disappeared from the urban landscape after its vaulting in the second half of the 19th century, but it has left a lasting mark on the city centre. Witnessing a time when only mammoths and other prehistoric animals inhabited the valley, it would later become inextricably linked to the origins of Brussels, where a portus is mentioned as early as the 11th century. The Senne plays an important role in the development of town planning and craft and industrial activities. It was also an important waterway until the Willebroek Canal was opened…

  • The church of La Cambre Abbey: a Brussels treasure to (re)discover!

    Abbaye de la Cambre - Ter Kamerenabdij, Ixelles - Elsene

    Built in the 14th century, La Cambre Church still hides many secrets. Work to install new lighting in the building has allowed the archaeologists to explore parts that are rarely accessible. Perched on scaffolding, they…

    Built in the 14th century, La Cambre Church still hides many secrets. Work to install new lighting in the building has allowed the archaeologists to explore parts that are rarely accessible. Perched on scaffolding, they came face to face with two groups of polychrome sculptures from the 14th and 17th centuries. A lion, a coquettish mermaid, a wolf devouring a lamb and a monkey holding a small dog in its arms are among the animals…

    Built in the 14th century, La Cambre Church still hides many secrets. Work to install new lighting in the building has allowed the archaeologists to explore parts that are rarely accessible. Perched on scaffolding, they came face to face with two groups of polychrome sculptures from the 14th and 17th centuries. A lion, a coquettish mermaid, a wolf devouring a lamb and a monkey holding a small dog in its arms are among the animals featured in the abbey church. A little further on, a pope, a cardinal and two bishops support one of the church's vaults... But who are they exactly? The archaeologists will try to solve this mystery with you. They will also show you the extraordinary remains…

  • The Grand-Place beyond appearances

    Grand-Place 5, 1000 Bruxelles

    What secrets lie beneath the cobblestones of the Grand-Place? What treasures are hidden behind its magnificent Baroque façades? As part of an exhibition organised by ULB, urban.brussels and the City of Brussels – La Grand-Place…

    What secrets lie beneath the cobblestones of the Grand-Place? What treasures are hidden behind its magnificent Baroque façades? As part of an exhibition organised by ULB, urban.brussels and the City of Brussels – La Grand-Place de Bruxelles. A New Look at a Central Place - the authors will be revealing the unpublished results of geophysical and archaeological research carried out on ‘the most beautiful square in the world’. An invitation to rediscover its ancient history…

    What secrets lie beneath the cobblestones of the Grand-Place? What treasures are hidden behind its magnificent Baroque façades? As part of an exhibition organised by ULB, urban.brussels and the City of Brussels – La Grand-Place de Bruxelles. A New Look at a Central Place - the authors will be revealing the unpublished results of geophysical and archaeological research carried out on ‘the most beautiful square in the world’. An invitation to rediscover its ancient history and physiognomy, from its medieval origins to the many transformations that have shaped its current face. Come and see the esplanade from a different angle! Collaboration urban.brussels – ULB – CReA-Patrimoine Book your guided tour by sending an email to archeologie@urban.brussels, specifying the type of…

  • An archaeologist’s eye on the restoration of Forest Abbey

    Abbaye de Forest – Abdij van Vorst, place Saint-Denis-Sint-Denijsplein, 1190 Forest-Vorst

    Since the end of 2024, a gigantic project has been underway on the site of the former Benedictine abbey in the heart of Forest. The aim of this ambitious project is to carry out a…

    Since the end of 2024, a gigantic project has been underway on the site of the former Benedictine abbey in the heart of Forest. The aim of this ambitious project is to carry out a thorough restoration of the historic buildings and construct a new building to house the future municipal library. The abbey, founded in the early 12th century, today retains the impressive buildings designed by the architect Laurent-Benoît Dewez between 1763 and 1767.…

    Since the end of 2024, a gigantic project has been underway on the site of the former Benedictine abbey in the heart of Forest. The aim of this ambitious project is to carry out a thorough restoration of the historic buildings and construct a new building to house the future municipal library. The abbey, founded in the early 12th century, today retains the impressive buildings designed by the architect Laurent-Benoît Dewez between 1763 and 1767. These are organised around a vast horseshoe-shaped courtyard. Work during the 18th century involved diverting a stream that once crossed the site and the domestic mill. The mill was rediscovered during recent archaeological excavations, revealing a forgotten part of the history of Forest. Mysterious markings…

  • At the heart of the timber frames of the Saint-Nicolas church, Brussels

    Saint-Nicolas church, rue au Beurre - Boterstraat, Brussels

    Already cited in 1174, the church was built in the Romanesque style, with a forecourt and tower on the façade, until it was converted/reconstructed in the 14th century, giving it a Gothic style. It suffered…

    Already cited in 1174, the church was built in the Romanesque style, with a forecourt and tower on the façade, until it was converted/reconstructed in the 14th century, giving it a Gothic style. It suffered a number of setbacks: the Wars of Religion at the end of the 16th century, fire following the bombardment of 1695 and the fall of its tower, rebuilt in 1714, the scars of which are most visible in the roof…

    Already cited in 1174, the church was built in the Romanesque style, with a forecourt and tower on the façade, until it was converted/reconstructed in the 14th century, giving it a Gothic style. It suffered a number of setbacks: the Wars of Religion at the end of the 16th century, fire following the bombardment of 1695 and the fall of its tower, rebuilt in 1714, the scars of which are most visible in the roof space. The roof space was already the subject of a guided tour during Urban Archaeology Days in 2024, when dendrochronological samples were taken. This year, the results of this study will be presented, as will the archaeological survey work required to make an inventory of…

  • Grand-Place 13: a small dwelling dating from the late Middle Ages

    Grand-Place 13, 1000 Brussels

    The only house on the Grand-Place without an esplanade façade is open to the public! You can enter through the gate at no. 13: behind these doors is a long corridor (a former cul-de-sac, now…

    The only house on the Grand-Place without an esplanade façade is open to the public! You can enter through the gate at no. 13: behind these doors is a long corridor (a former cul-de-sac, now covered) that leads to a courtyard and two small buildings dating from the mid-15th century. These small buildings belonged successively to lawyers, who kept their offices here and used them as a pied-à-terre. The architecture reflects this function particularly well.…

    The only house on the Grand-Place without an esplanade façade is open to the public! You can enter through the gate at no. 13: behind these doors is a long corridor (a former cul-de-sac, now covered) that leads to a courtyard and two small buildings dating from the mid-15th century. These small buildings belonged successively to lawyers, who kept their offices here and used them as a pied-à-terre. The architecture reflects this function particularly well. Archaeological research has uncovered an abundance of light niches, fireplaces and wall cupboards... The houses, partially damaged by the bombardment of 1695, were repaired and enlarged. The tour gives visitors an insight into an architecture that differs from that of the large houses lining the…

  • Cour des Lions

    Archaeological rediscovery of the Coudenberg Palace

    Place Royale 10, 1000 Bruxelles

    Since the 1980s, there has been a succession of archaeological excavation campaigns. They have gradually brought to light the remains of the buildings of the Coudenberg Palace, enriching our knowledge of its history and sparking…

    Since the 1980s, there has been a succession of archaeological excavation campaigns. They have gradually brought to light the remains of the buildings of the Coudenberg Palace, enriching our knowledge of its history and sparking renewed interest in this emblematic heritage of our regions during the Ancien Régime. Discover the background and anecdotes to this archaeological rediscovery on two guided tours! Book your guided tour by sending an email to archeologie@urban.brussels, specifying the type of…

    Since the 1980s, there has been a succession of archaeological excavation campaigns. They have gradually brought to light the remains of the buildings of the Coudenberg Palace, enriching our knowledge of its history and sparking renewed interest in this emblematic heritage of our regions during the Ancien Régime. Discover the background and anecdotes to this archaeological rediscovery on two guided tours! Book your guided tour by sending an email to archeologie@urban.brussels, specifying the type of event/the site, the number of people, the time and the language.   Practical information Guided tours on Friday 13/06/2025 Meeting point: Place Royale 10 Koningsplein, 1000 Brussels Maximum 20 persons per guided tour Reservation compulsory Not accessible for PRM   Friday 13/06/2025 Schedule of guided…

  • The Grand-Place in Brussels. A new look at a central space

    rue du Lombard - Lombardstraat 34-42, 1000 Bruxelles-Brussel

    The ULB Archaeology and Heritage Research Centre, in collaboration with urban.brussels and the City of Brussels, is organising an exhibition entitled “The Grand-Place in Brussels. A new look at a central space”, which runs from…

    The ULB Archaeology and Heritage Research Centre, in collaboration with urban.brussels and the City of Brussels, is organising an exhibition entitled “The Grand-Place in Brussels. A new look at a central space”, which runs from 15 May to 28 June 2025. The aim of the exhibition is to inform the general public about the results of the geophysical survey carried out on the Brussels esplanade and adjacent streets in May 2018, as well as the…

    The ULB Archaeology and Heritage Research Centre, in collaboration with urban.brussels and the City of Brussels, is organising an exhibition entitled “The Grand-Place in Brussels. A new look at a central space”, which runs from 15 May to 28 June 2025. The aim of the exhibition is to inform the general public about the results of the geophysical survey carried out on the Brussels esplanade and adjacent streets in May 2018, as well as the contribution made by archaeological studies of the buildings in the area. It offers a fascinating insight into the city's history, showing the rich and complex evolution of this central area from the Middle Ages to the bombardment of the city in 1695. Collaboration Collaboration : urban.brussels…

  • The archaeological showcases in the Halles Saint-Géry

    Halles Saint-Géry - Sint-Gorikshallen, place Saint-Géry - Sint-Goriksplein 1, 1000 Bruxelles-Brussel

    The archaeological objects of the Urban.brussels collection are presented to the public at the Halles Saint-Géry in several showcases on the ground floor. The alternation of themes in the largest showcase makes it possible to…

    The archaeological objects of the Urban.brussels collection are presented to the public at the Halles Saint-Géry in several showcases on the ground floor. The alternation of themes in the largest showcase makes it possible to show a multitude of objects from daily life, from prehistory to the present day. This display is currently dedicated to the archaeology of buildings in the Brussels region: ‘Bricks in the belly’. Immerse yourself in this fascinating world illustrated by…

    The archaeological objects of the Urban.brussels collection are presented to the public at the Halles Saint-Géry in several showcases on the ground floor. The alternation of themes in the largest showcase makes it possible to show a multitude of objects from daily life, from prehistory to the present day. This display is currently dedicated to the archaeology of buildings in the Brussels region: ‘Bricks in the belly’. Immerse yourself in this fascinating world illustrated by objects from archaeological research and learn all about the materials and techniques used in ancient constructions! The objects presented in the showcase dedicated to the breweries bear witness to the importance of the 160 or so breweries located in the centre of Brussels from the…

  • Bruxella 1238

    Bruxella 1238

    rue de la Bourse - Beursstraat, 1000 Bruxelles-Brussel

    For the past thirty years, passers-by have been drawn to the archaeological remains under the rue de la Bourse, visible through glass windows. It was in 1988 that archaeologists from the Société royale d'Archéologie de…

    For the past thirty years, passers-by have been drawn to the archaeological remains under the rue de la Bourse, visible through glass windows. It was in 1988 that archaeologists from the Société royale d'Archéologie de Bruxelles discovered the foundation walls of the convent of the Friars Minor, established in the early 13th century and destroyed shortly after the French Revolution. This remarkable site was then preserved and developed to make it accessible to the public.…

    For the past thirty years, passers-by have been drawn to the archaeological remains under the rue de la Bourse, visible through glass windows. It was in 1988 that archaeologists from the Société royale d'Archéologie de Bruxelles discovered the foundation walls of the convent of the Friars Minor, established in the early 13th century and destroyed shortly after the French Revolution. This remarkable site was then preserved and developed to make it accessible to the public. The first archaeological museum in Brussels was born: Bruxella 1238. The museum has just been renovated. Directly linked to the basement of the former Bourse de Commerce (now home to Belgian Beer World), it has been given a completely new look.   Practical information No…

  • The Museum of the City of Brussels (Maison du Roi – Broodhuis)

    Grand Place 29, 1000 Bruxelles

    Situated on the most beautiful square in the world, the City Museum invites you to discover the history of Brussels: a maquette illustrating the city in the 13th century, tapestries, ceramics, masterpieces of painting and…

    Situated on the most beautiful square in the world, the City Museum invites you to discover the history of Brussels: a maquette illustrating the city in the 13th century, tapestries, ceramics, masterpieces of painting and sculpture... On the top floor, the Grand-Place tells its story through unique works of art such as the original weathervane of Saint Michael. And it is also in the City Museum that you can admire the real statue of Manneken-Pis!…

    Situated on the most beautiful square in the world, the City Museum invites you to discover the history of Brussels: a maquette illustrating the city in the 13th century, tapestries, ceramics, masterpieces of painting and sculpture... On the top floor, the Grand-Place tells its story through unique works of art such as the original weathervane of Saint Michael. And it is also in the City Museum that you can admire the real statue of Manneken-Pis! The most important work in the collection is undoubtedly the building that houses the museum, a neo-gothic building dating from the last quarter of the 19th century, located opposite the Town Hall. Called the King's House in French (Maison du Roi) - in reference to…

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Urban Archeology Days Urban Archeology Days

Éditeur responsable : Sarah LAGRILLIERE, directrice générale adjointe, urban.brussels (Service public régional Bruxelles Urbanisme et Patrimoine), Mont des Arts 10-13 – 1000 Bruxelles Verantwoordelijke uitgever: Sarah LAGRILLIERE, adjunct-directeur-generaal, urban.brussels (Gewestelijke Overheidsdienst Brussel Stedenbouw en Erfgoed), Kunstberg 10-13 – 1000 Brussel