Owned by STIB/MIVB Address 1000 Brussels, Belgium | Connections Line 3
Line 4 | |
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Owner Brussels Intercommunal Transport Company Similar Rogier metro station, Brussels Central Station, Sainte‑Catherine/Sint‑Katelijne metro station, Brussels‑West station, Anneessens premetro station | ||
De Brouckère is a Brussels rapid transit station consisting of both a metro station (serving lines 1 and 5) and a premetro (tram) station (serving lines 3 and 4).
Contents
History
The station was inaugurated on 17 December 1969 as a premetro station (i.e., with tramways instead of metros), part of the first underground line in Belgium, then going from De Brouckère to Schuman. In 1976, the premetro line was converted into a metro line that was later split into two distinct lines in 1982: lines 1A and 1B, both of which served De Brouckère. On 4 April 2009, metro operation was restructured so that lines 1 and 5 now serve the station.
Since 1976, De Brouckère has also been served by the North-South Axis, which is part of the premetro system. Lines 3 and 4 provide most service on this axis.
Area
The station is named after the city square above ground, which itself is named after the former mayor of Brussels Charles de Brouckère. The station lies near the famous Hotel Metropole, the UGC De Brouckère cinema, the La Monnaie/De Munt theatre and one end of the Rue Neuve / Nieuwstraat. The whole complex is also connected to the underground shopping galleries between the Place de la Monnaie / Muntplein and the Boulevard Anspachlaan.
Station
The premetro station, located under the Place De Brouckèreplein, is connected to the metro station by a moving walkway. The metro station is located under the Rue de l'Évêque / Bisschopstraat and was renovated in 2005.
The metro station serving lines 1 and 5 is known to have one of the widest gaps between the metro trains and the platform, as this station is curved to follow the alignment between the neighboring Central station and Saint Catherine metro station. For safety reasons, the curved platform edges are equipped with flashing lights to warn passengers of the gap.
In 2004, a mural created titled "The City Moves in the Palm of My Hand" was installed along the station's moving walkway. The mural was created by artist Jan Vanriet and is printed on finished edge panels from PolyVision. The mural is designed to reflect the city's vibrancy and historical background.