As we approach International Workers’ Day, it seems only right to visit a corner of Brussels dedicated to tradespeople. Petit Sablon Square, south-east of the Church of the Blessed Lady of Sablon, is a small rectangular park, designed by architect Henri Beyaert, on the site of the St John’s Hospital Cemetery.
Inaugurated in 1890, it is more modest in scale and less well known than its big sister Grand Sablon, from where the famous yearly Ommegang parade sets out. Still, size isn’t everything; Beyaert managed to pack 59 statues into Petit Sablon Square, 48 of which represent traditional professional guilds.
Own or work here?