Source de la cleane

In the middle of the forest is a whitewashed spring house where the spring water comes above the ground.

The building consists of a landing with a canopy that is supported by two classical columns. A plaque with Source de la Reine has been installed in the recessed facade. A second plaque below it describes that this pavilion was inaugurated on June 15, 1933 by Queen Elisabeth with the text:

"Le 15 juin 1933, SM La Reine Elisabeth inaugura le pavillon de cette source, a la quelle SM La Reine Marie-Henriette a daigne donner son nom."

The source house is not accessible, but is said to contain a marble fountain with artful curls and a head, carved in natural stone.

The source is named after pure Marie Henriëtte of Austria, the second Queen of the Belgians.

During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, Marie-Henriette devoted herself to the care of wounded soldiers.

A music-loving queen and artist who left several watercolors and oil paintings , Marie-Henriette also played a discreet role as the patroness of painters, sculptors and singers whose works and careers she promoted. She was an avid horsewoman and took care of her horses herself.

Gradually, disillusioned with the future of her marriage and her family, Marie-Henriette left the court of Brussels to relax in the spa town of Spa, leaving the role of "first lady" to her daughter, Princess Clementine. From 1895 she settled permanently in the royal villa in Spa , where she died on September 19, 1902.

There are two types of spring water that are extracted from the springs of Spa. On the one hand , this ferrous and carbonated water (water with bubbles) comes from "wells" (Walloon: pouhons ) where the water has passed through rich rock layers for decades , on the other hand , the water with only a minimal amount of natural minerals comes from an oligometallic source (without carbonic acid) that was underground for only a few months .

The Koninginnebron is of the second type and is sold by Spa Monopole under the name "Spa Reine", better known as "Spa Blauw" and is very low in minerals.

Willem Vandenameele