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Address Place Sainte-Catherine 29, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium Similar Église Sainte‑Catherine de Bruxel, Fortifications of Brussels, Sainte‑Catherine/Sint‑Katelijne metro station, Tour D'Angle, Tour de Villers | ||
The Black Tower (Dutch: Zwarte Toren, French: Tour Noire) is a medieval tower in Brussels, Belgium. It's one of the best conserved remains of the first fortifications of Brussels, built at the start of the 13th century. It is located behind the Sainte-Catherine Church in the Rue de la Vierge Noire (Zwarte Maagd Straat in Dutch). The Black Tower is notable for being one single medieval tower surrounded by modern-day buildings. This odd sight has made it a popular tourist destination.
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History
The Black Tower was built in the early 13th century as part of the fortification of the city. When the second fortification of Brussels was built at the end of the 14th century its original function became obsolete. Seeing that it wasn't destroyed historians believe it became private property. This would also explain why it survived so many centuries unharmed. In the 16th century, unlike other sections of the wall, the tower survived the creation of a new dock for the inland port of Brussels at the site where the St. Catherine Church is now located. Around the same time it was transformed into a tavern named: "In the Tower". In 1888, when the entire street was sanitized mayor Charles Buls saved it from demolition. Architect Victor Jamaer restored the building and reconstructed the gable and the roof, as well as the bent radius. In the 19th century the tour was surrounded by a clothing store. On February 1, 1937 it officially became a state patrimonium and was classified as a historical monument. Nowadays it is surrounded by a hotel with modern-day supplies. A plaque reminds passers by of its historical importance.
In popular culture
The tower is subject of an album in the Belgian comic book series The Adventures of Nero by Marc Sleen. In the story "De Zwarte Toren" ("The Black Tower") (1983) Nero visits Brussels and discovers mysterious things going on in the Black Tower. Based on this story the proprietors of the Marc Sleen Museum made it part of a special "Nero route", which takes visitors to several parts of Brussels that play an important role in certain "Nero" albums.