Brussels Shot Tower, Shot tower in Pentagon, Belgium.
The Brussels Shot Tower is a brick industrial structure near Boulevard de l'Abattoir that once manufactured lead pellets for ammunition. The slender tower with its tapering shape reflects the original engineering design from the late 1800s.
The tower was built in 1885 on the site of a former gunpowder factory to manufacture ammunition. Production operations ended in 1962, marking the close of this important chapter in Brussels manufacturing.
The tower represents the evolution of industrial manufacturing methods in Belgium, demonstrating the processes used for creating perfectly spherical lead pellets.
The tower is centrally located and can be viewed from the outside, with public transportation providing easy access to the area. Visitors should note that only the exterior is accessible and entry inside is not permitted.
The tower received protected heritage status in 1984 and stands as Belgium's sole surviving example of this manufacturing method. This designation preserves a rare testament to a technical innovation that has largely faded from public memory.
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