Square Palfyn - Palfynsquare

Square Palfyn is an elongated, irregularly shaped green space in the Laeken district in northern Brussels, framed by Avenue Houba de Strooper to the east, Avenue du Général de Ceuninck to the north and Avenue Jean Palfyn to the south. Covering roughly 1.5 hectares, it functions both as a neighbourhood park and as a small open-air gallery of public art.

Where does the name come from and what was here before?

The ground the square now occupies was once a pond called Durrebroeck, which collected runoff water from the slope stretching toward the old Chaussée Romaine. Local residents in Laeken had long referred to the area informally as Square Jean Palfyn, but the name only became official on 28 June 1993. The square shares its namesake, Jean Palfyn, with the adjoining avenue.

How is the square laid out?

The design centres on a wide central pathway running west toward three raised plazas. The first is rectangular, lined with espalier-trained linden trees, and connects Rue du Disque directly with Avenue Thiriar. The second is semi-circular and serves as a basketball court. The third repeats that semi-circular shape on a smaller scale and holds a sandbox for young children. Along the main pathway and on its eastern side, crescent-shaped rest areas enclosed by hedges offer quieter spots set back from the main pedestrian flow.

What public art is on display in the square?

Since the 1970s the square has been home to "Le Semeur" (The Sower), a sculpture by Mathieu Desmaré. The more imposing piece is the De Brouckère fountain, a monumental work designed by architect Henri Beyaert with sculptors Édouard Fiers, Pierre-Louis Dunion and Georges Houtstonten. Originally created for a different site, the fountain was dismantled and reassembled at Square Palfyn in 1978. It is built from white Euville stone and enriched with white marble sculptural elements, a material contrast that gives the monument a striking presence among the surrounding greenery.

What makes the square's greenery notable?

Square Palfyn is also listed in Brussels' natural heritage inventory. Across its 1.5 hectares grow around forty different varieties of trees and shrubs, making it one of the more botanically varied squares in this part of the city. The planting is not purely decorative: it shades the walking paths and play areas, while the hedges carve out intimate resting pockets within the larger open layout.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Square Palfyn located? It lies in the Laeken district of northern Brussels, bordered by Avenue Houba de Strooper, Avenue du Général de Ceuninck and Avenue Jean Palfyn.

When did the square receive its current name? Officially on 28 June 1993, although the name Square Jean Palfyn had already been in informal use well before that date.

What can visitors do at Square Palfyn? The square offers walking paths, a basketball court, a children's sandbox and rest areas, plus two public artworks: the De Brouckère fountain and the sculpture "Le Semeur".

Does the square have natural heritage value? Yes — it is included in the Brussels region's natural heritage inventory because of the wide variety of tree and shrub species growing there.