Place Du Petit Sablon & Place Du Grand Sablon , A historic park with a rebellious past

Between Rue de la Régence and Rue aux Laines

This church is very unique

4.2

Introduction

The Petit Sablon Square in Brussels is a historic park that witnessed the arduous struggle of the people of the Low Countries against Spanish rulers in the 16th century. The corruption of the Catholic Church sparked the Calvinist Reformation in the Flemish region, but King Philip II of Spain was unwilling to lose control, leading to religious wars and strong resistance from local people, including Dutch nobleman Lamoral. Ultimately, the southern region (present-day Belgium) was conquered, while the northern region (present-day Netherlands) remained independent. Historically, the people in these two regions shared similar lifestyles and languages, but the religious wars divided them and became the border between Belgium and the Netherlands. Starting from Petit Sablon Square and heading towards the opposite Grand Sablon Square, you will find a fashionable and bourgeois area with many exquisite antique shops and cafés.