North-South connection

When you look down through the round glass roof at Albertinaplein (Place de l’Albertine) you can see inside Central Station. An average of 60,000 passengers and 1,200 trains travel through here each day. Even deeper below where you are now standing lies the north-south connection. The idea for this railway tunnel, intended to connect Brussels’ North and South stations, emerged in the late 19th century. Work commenced just before the First World War, but it took until the 1950s for the connection to be completed.

The Putterij (Putterie), an old working-class neighbourhood filled with narrow alleys, was cleared to make way for the railway tunnel. Such clearance, often of entire neighbourhoods, continued until well until the 20th century for similar building projects.

Continue cycling to the end of Keizerslaan (Boulevard de l’Empereur). About 200 metres beyond, the north-south connection emerges from the ground.

TIP: Try out the skate ramp at Urselines Park if you dare, for a surprising view of the North-South connection!

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