Anneessens Tower, Medieval fortified tower in Sablon District, Belgium
Anneessens Tower is a stone defensive structure from Brussels' original city walls, built with thick stone walls and positioned strategically along Boulevard de l'Empereur. The structure shows the characteristic design of medieval fortifications and remains visible from street level, standing between numbers 34 and 36.
The tower was built in the 13th century as part of Brussels' first defensive system to protect the city from external threats. Later, the structure held François Anneessens before his execution in 1719, linking the tower to a pivotal moment in the city's history.
The tower takes its name from François Anneessens, dean of the Four Crowned Martyrs guild, an association of sculptors, stone carvers, and masons. This craft guild shaped the identity of Brussels' medieval artisan communities and remains embedded in the city's cultural memory.
The tower is easily accessible from street level and can be viewed from Boulevard de l'Empereur, where it stands between neighboring buildings. Afternoon is the best time to explore, as sunlight illuminates the facade and reveals details of the stone walls more clearly.
The tower survived multiple urban developments, including the construction of Brussels' inland port, while most other medieval fortifications vanished. This makes it a rare survivor from that era, documenting the city's rapid transformation.
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