1867day.year
Work begins on the covering of the Senne, burying Brussels's primary river and creating the modern central boulevards.
In 1867, Brussels commenced the massive project of covering the Senne River and building its grand central boulevards.
Facing severe flooding and public health crises, city planners ordered the Senne River to be enclosed on February 13, 1867. Engineers rerouted and covered the polluted waterway beneath new thoroughfares. The transformation gave rise to the wide, tree-lined boulevards and uniform facades that characterize central Brussels today. This urban renewal improved sanitation and enhanced traffic flow, mirroring contemporary Parisian renovations. The Senne project fundamentally reshaped the Belgian capital’s architectural and social landscape.
1867
covering of the Senne
Brussels