Lodewyk van Bercken

On the corner of Leysstraat and Jezusstraat, we look up. Against the facade of jeweler Slaets stands the bronze statue of Lodewyk Van Bercken, right across from the large statue of Antoon van Dyck. In his right hand, he holds a diamond between his thumb and index finger. “Van Bercken discovered in the mid-15th century what we call modern diamond cutting. With a cast iron spinning disc, diamond powder, and olive oil, he polished the Florentine (a large, yellow diamond, ed.) of Charles the Bold,” says Freddy.

“It marked the beginning of the diamond industry in Bruges. Due to the port, diamond cutting came to our city.” The house named 'Lodewyk Van Bercken' was designed in 1906 by architect Walter Van Kuyck. The client was diamond dealer Louis Coetermans, who was known as the Prince of Diamonds. He had a significant diamond company. In the building, there was a club where diamond traders could do business undisturbed with foreign clients. “Even today, there is a well-known jeweler, Slaets, here.”

GVA - Gazet van Antwerpen