Heysel

The Plateau of Heysel (in Dutch Heizel ) to Brussels is the place where the largest trade fairs as well as the exposures and international fairs are held.

Located at north of the city between the royal fields of Laeken and of the Stuyvenberg, with the 19th century, it still presented a rural aspect. From 1899, the king Léopold II gradually makes the acquisition of the whole of the grounds with the project make there build a new district. It is only in 1926 at the time of the annexation of the commune of Laeken by the Commune of Brussels that the State yields the ground to the latter and that a plan of installation is elaborate. The project is to set up to replace the Parc of the Fiftieth anniversary become too exiguous, a new complex of exposure of international stature which is worthy of a capital.

The architect Joseph Van Neck conceives the general plan of it. The market of exposure of the Large palace of a surface of: 14000 m ² and the four other palates constitute for the time a true technical prowess.

In 1930 at the time of the centenary of independence, the stage of Heysel (then called of the Centenary ) is inaugurated.

Five years later, in the finally finished palates the World Fair is held of 1935. The fairs and living rooms follow one another until a second exposure, the Expo '58, whose Atomium remains the only witness. Today, the palates of exposures of 1935, preserved, were supplemented by new buildings in conformity with the modern requirements.

In 1985, the stage of Heysel will be returned sadly celebrates by the drama which will occur there. It was famous since Stade King-Baudouin.

Currently, connected to the city by two subway stations (Heysel and King Baudouin) and several lines of trams and bus, and with the remainder of the country by the peripheral highway of Brussels (the Boxing ring), the plate of Heysel is a place of great multitude. In addition to the Park of exposures ( Brussels International Trade Mart ) and the stage, one finds there also the Atomium, and other infrastructures of leisures, the complex Bruparc which include/understand the Mini-Europe, the planetarium, the océade (park watery) and a great cinematographic complex. The park of Osseghem also shelters the Open-air theater, theater of outdoor where various cultural events are held, among which the festival Brosella Folk & Jazz and, partly the festival Eu' ritmix.

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