Benelux Fountain, fountain at Heysel, Laeken, Brussels, Belgium
The Benelux Fountain is an artificial water feature in the Laeken neighborhood of Brussels made from concrete and metal with geometric forms. Functional water jets light up and move with music at night, bringing energy to this postwar modernist design.
The fountain was built in 1958 for Expo 58, a major world fair that brought together Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. After upgrades in the 1970s and restoration work in 2008, the fountain received protected monument status in Brussels in 2024.
The fountain is named after the Benelux Union, linking Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Its water and clean design create a gathering spot where visitors sense the message of regional cooperation and shared identity.
The fountain sits on Place du Benelux, easily accessible from the Heysel grounds and near the Atomium. The newly redesigned square with benches and green areas invites you to sit and relax, especially when the illuminated water jets are active after sunset.
At night, the water jets synchronize with music and lights, suddenly bringing the austere concrete structure to life. This evening display transforms what appears to be a simple structure into a dynamic experience that many visitors overlook.
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