Square des Héros - Heldensquare

Square des Héros - Heldensquare is a small but historically meaningful square in the municipality of Uccle (Ukkel), in southern Brussels. It sits at the junction of Avenue De Fré, Avenue Brugmann and Rue du Doyenné, and has served for decades as a local site of remembrance. Its coordinates are approximately 50.8034 N, 4.3421 E.

Where does the square's name come from?

The current name — French Square des Héros and Dutch Heldensquare, both translating to "Square of the Heroes" — was given on 4 December 1937. The bilingual naming reflects Uccle's status as a Brussels municipality, where French and Dutch are both official languages. The name was chosen deliberately: from the outset, the square was tied to honoring residents of the municipality who died in war.

What can be found on the square?

The centerpiece of Square des Héros is a war memorial (monument aux morts), the work of sculptor Léandre Grandmoulin, who lived from 1873 to 1957. It is this monument that gives the square its character as a place of remembrance rather than an ordinary green space or traffic roundabout, even though it also functions as a road junction linking three important streets in Uccle.

What is the history behind the monument?

The monument was raised to honor residents of Uccle who gave their lives for their country. Its first unveiling took place on 28 June 1925, when residents of the municipality gathered for a ceremony commemorating 138 people who died during the First World War. This date fits into a broader pattern seen across Belgium and Europe in the 1920s, when many communities erected memorials to the fallen of the Great War.

After the Second World War, the monument was expanded to also commemorate the victims of that conflict. A second inauguration took place on 3 July 1948, three years after the end of hostilities in Europe. As a result, the monument on Square des Héros became a memorial covering both world wars, making it an important marker of local history in Uccle.

How do you get to the square?

Square des Héros is well connected to the rest of Brussels. Tram lines 4 and 92 pass nearby, along with bus lines 37, 38, 41, 43 and 75. This dense network of connections means the square — despite its modest size — is easy to reach both for residents of Uccle and for visitors coming from other parts of the city.

Why is it worth a visit?

Square des Héros is not a typical tourist attraction in the sense of a museum or a historic palace, but it offers a valuable stop for anyone interested in the history of Brussels and its involvement in both world wars. While walking through Uccle, it is worth pausing at Grandmoulin's monument to see how the local community chose to honor its residents who fell between 1914–1918 and 1940–1945. The square combines a practical role — as a road junction — with a symbolic one, standing as a lasting testament to the district's historical memory.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Square des Héros located? At the junction of Avenue De Fré, Avenue Brugmann and Rue du Doyenné in the Uccle municipality of Brussels.

When was the square given its current name? On 4 December 1937.

Who created the monument on the square? Sculptor Léandre Grandmoulin (1873–1957).

How many people does the monument commemorate? Originally 138 residents of Uccle who died in World War I; after 1948 the monument was expanded to also honor victims of World War II.

How can you reach the square by public transport? By tram lines 4 and 92, or by bus lines 37, 38, 41, 43 and 75.