Introduction

The original 16th century canal north from Brussels ran straight from Willebroek north to the Rupel, where the village of Klein Willebroek was built on wetlands reclaimed by spoil from the canal. The canal was authorized in 1547, construction started officially on 16 June 1550 and the canal opened in 1561. At the Brussels end it ran slightly east of the present route, terminating in several basins within the pentagon (area within former city walls) of Brussels, including St Catherine's. The basins were later filled in, St Catherine's in 1870. Probably at that time the last few hundred meters of the canal were relocated to the west to eliminate the sharp turns required at Sainctelette and Ijzer when the Charleroi canal was originally built. Port activity transferred to the north and to the new alignment.
(Source : Dan Gamber - www.gamber.net)

start

Sainctelette Square - Brussels (Sint-Jans-Molenbeek)

route description

Read the route description on Gamber.Net

other biking/cycling information